SCIENTIFIC VASTU | BATHROOM | An Architect Explains
Bathroom is a broad term used to describe a room where one takes bath, uses the WC and uses the wash basin for brushing teeth and washing face. In ancient times, when there was no water supply through pipes and no proper drainage and sewage pipeline system, people used the open spaces for daily ablutions and bathrooms meant for only bathing were located near the water source. However today with the availability of water through taps and the underground sewage-line system, we can have bathrooms (also known as toilets in India) with the basic fixtures – WC., wash basin and bath shower/bathtub – all combined in one room, in any part of the house.
However, bathrooms/toilets are major sources of negative energy if not located or designed properly. So, is there a way to avoid this? To ensure that the flow of cosmic energy through the house is not affected by the improper positioning of bathrooms, Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines on their positions, the positions of the fixtures, doors, windows etc. So to know more about making your bathroom/toilet a vastu compliant space, read on…..
Listed here, are some of the Vastu Guidelines for a bathroom/toilet. Since Vastu is a science, every guideline is based on logic and reasoning. As an Architect, I have explained each of these guidelines rationally and scientifically under the following headings. This way you have a choice and can decide what you want to follow or don’t instead of looking at Vastu as a superstition:
What is the best location for a bathroom/toilet according to Vastu?
What are the Vastu guidelines for the flooring of the bathroom/toilet?
What are the Vastu guidelines for arrangement of fixtures in a bathroom/toilet?
What are the vastu guidelines for doors and windows in a bathroom/toilet?
What are the ideal colours in a bathroom/toilet?
What are the practical remedies for the toilet in the North-East defect?
WHAT IS THE IDEAL LOCATION OF A BATHROOM ACCORDING TO VASTU?
- First choice for bathroom/toilet: North-West quadrant of the home but not the North-West corner.
- Second choice for a bathroom/toilet: North-East quadrant but not the North-East corner and South-West quadrant but not the South-West corner.
- Avoid: corners and centre of the house
The first option for toilet/bathroom is in the North-West or West part, but not in the corners: If it is attached to the Bedroom, it should preferably be to the North-West side of the room.
The Scientific Reasoning – In India the infra-red rays of the Sun get projected on the West side and so the West side is hotter, especially in the evenings. Therefore, Bathrooms placed in the West and North-West help to block the western sun radiation to other parts of the house, keeping them relatively cool. In addition, the hot west sun rays help to dry up the Bathrooms faster. Also, by keeping the Bathrooms in the West side, far away from the North-East corner, where in olden times the open well or water source was preferred, the percolation of waste water into the water source during the monsoon season when the ground water table rises,was prevented.
The second option for the location of the toilet/bathroom, is the North-East or South-West quadrants but not the NE or SW corners: The Scientific Reasoning– Since most people use the Bathroom in the mornings, the beneficial morning sunlight coming from the North-East side will be useful to the user. The bathrooms in the South, West sides are also allowed as they help to block the western sun radiation to other parts of the house, keeping it relatively cool. In addition, the hot west sun rays help to dry up the bathrooms faster.
Avoid the Bathroom in the the corners and the Centre of the house: The Scientific Reasoning – The corners of a house are the best positions for bedrooms, living rooms since they have two external walls which allow cross-ventilation. By placing the less used bathrooms/toilets in the corners, the benefit for the bedrooms is lost. But if by chance the toilet is located in the wrong position, there are remedies which you can read about in my post Remedies for North-East defects.
WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL REMEDIES FOR THE TOILET IN THE NORTH EAST DEFECT?
Avoid a toilet in the North-East. The preferred option for toilet/bathroom is in the North-West or West part, but not in the corners. If it is attached to the Bedroom, it should preferably be to the North-West side of the room.
The Scientific Reasoning – In India the infra-red rays of the Sun get projected on the West side and so the West side is hotter, especially in the evenings. Therefore, Bathrooms placed in the West and North-West help to block the western sun radiation to other parts of the house, keeping them relatively cool. In addition, the hot west sun rays help to dry up the Bathrooms faster, keeping them free from moisture, germs, fungus etc. Also, by keeping the Bathrooms in the West side, far away from the North-East corner, where in olden times the open well or water source was preferred, the percolation of waste water into the water source during the monsoon season when the ground water table rises, was prevented.
REMEDY FOR TOILET IN THE NORTH-EAST: In case the bathroom in the North-East cannot be avoided, here are some remedies that you can easily put into action:
- Keep a plant that can absorb huge amount of negative energy such as spider plant.
- Keep a bowl filled with sea salt in toilet. Make sure to change the salt once a week.
- Always make sure to keep the toilet door is closed at all times.
- Make sure to keep the toilet fresh and clean always.
- If possible use the toilet in North East for bathing purpose only.
WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE FLOORING OF A BATHROOM?
The Bathroom floor should be higher than ground level: The Scientific Reasoning – For the proper draining out of the waste water from the Bathroom, it is obvious that the Bathroom level should be higher than the ground level.
Avoid marble flooring in the Bathroom: The Scientific Reasoning – Marble is extremely slippery when wet and hence should be definitely avoided in Bathroom floors.
WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE LOCATION OF WASH BASIN, W.C., BATH TUB/SHOWER, AND OTHER FIXTURES?
The wash basin, bathtub and shower can be in the North-East, North or East of the Bathroom: The Scientific Reasoning – In earlier times, the water for washing and bathing was stored near or directly above the Bathrooms, as there was no elaborate plumbing system wherein water was distributed throughout the house from just one water tank. Hence, it was preferable to have this water source in the North-East side where the sun’s beneficial morning UV sunlight could purify the water.
The WC (commode) can be in the West, South or South-West of the Bathroom: The Scientific Reasoning – The WC was placed away from the bathing area so that it does not pollute the water stored for bathing purposes.
The WC should be oriented facing North or South: But not in the E-W direction. The Scientific Reasoning -In earlier times, when people sat in the open for the daily ablutions, it was necessary to shade their face from the Sun and hence the E-W direction was avoided. Also it might have been out of a sense of respect to the Sunrise and Sunset, since the Sun was considered the major energy source.
The head position in the Bathtub should be towards South: The Scientific Reasoning – The human body acts like a magnet with the head as the North Pole. So lying down with the head in the North direction, will cause the two North poles to repel each other and hence cause a feeling of restlessness .
The mirror can be on the North or East walls: The Scientific Reasoning – If the mirrors are placed on the North and East walls, then the constant light from the North and the morning sunlight from the East will fall on our faces as we look into the mirror, thus enabling us to see ourselves better.
WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS IN A BATHROOM?
A large window can be in the North and a smaller ventilator in the East or West: The Scientific Reasoning – The small window either in the East or the West will allow the sunrays to dry up the bathroom quickly, while the bigger window in the North will allow constant light into the Bathroom. Also, by having 2 windows on adjacent walls, cross-ventilation is allowed which ensures that fresh air replaces the humid air.
The door can be in the East or North-East: The Scientific Reasoning – The door should be located away from the commode to prevent it from hitting the WC and obstructing the space near it.
WHAT ARE THE IDEAL COLOURS FOR A BATHROOM ACCORDING TO VASTU?
The colour of the bathroom walls: Can be according to one’s choice but it is preferable to have light shades. Avoid red and black color. The Scientific Reasoning – Light shades brigten up a space and make it appear larger. One may not notice any dangerous insects or animals that can enter the Bathroom through the floor traps, if dark colours like black and red are used. Also, the dirty floor corners may go unnoticed, if dark colours are used.
READ MORE:
The Vastu guidelines are very similar to the guidelines used by modern Architects in designing a house. To read about an Architect’s guidelines on the design of a bathroom, go to:
If you want to make the rest of the rooms of your house/apartment also Vastu compliant, then go to:
For a concise reference guide for your Bathroom, please refer to the posts on my blog: House Construction in India
For a concise Vastu guide and Vastu evaluation of your Bathroom, refer to the following post. This will help you decide whether you want to make some changes and corrections in your house:
If you found this post useful, all it takes is a simple click on the “pin it” “like,” “share,” “tweet,” or Google+ buttons below the post.
Related Topics:
- Vastu Shastra | Explained By An Architect
- Vastu Shastra | Principles For A House
- Vastu Shastra | Factors That Impact A House
- Vastu Guidelines | Designing A House
- Vastu Guidelines | Interiors Of A House
- Vastu Guidelines | Exteriors Of A House
- Vastu Guidelines | Selecting The Right Site
- Vastu Guidelines | Construction Of A House
- Vastu Guidelines | Rituals For A House
- Vastu Guidelines | Non-Residential Buildings
- Remedies For Vastu Defects
Hi Sir,
We are planning to take west facing house which has some empty space under the stairs. We were planning to make it a small bathroom which lies in the south west direction for the site. However, this place is outside the house but inside the compound wall. Can we make it a bathroom/ leave as a wash area?, mainly since this is in the kubera moola. Please advise.
Hi Swathi,
Dont use it as a toilet. Maybe use it as a bathroom.
Admin
Sir my bedroom is in terrace of my house it is in southwest side now we are planning to have attached bathroom.can u please suggest me where must the bathroom must come according to vasthu.
Hi Pushpa,
It depends on the placement of the door and furniture in the bedroom. You can have it either to the North or East of the room.
Admin
Sir our home south facing road, main road is facing NE, we have toilet n bathroom in NW, all the toilet n bathroom waste water will go septic tank in NW, but this waste water pipe direction is from north west to north east and the in south east it will connect to city drainage pipe is this OK.. Or do we need to change the position from NW to SW and SW to SE to connect main city drainage? Pls guide us thank u
Hi,
If the construction is not yet complete then opt to have the drainage flow from NW to SW and then to SE.
Admin
Dear Sir,
We found your explanation of Vastu – very very practical – and have shared your page on our fb page (fb/mobathrooms)
Hope that would not be a problem and you would approve. If you do not want us to share – please let me know – will have it removed.
Thanking you for the wonderful & practical explanation on Vastu..
As we are into complete bathroom solutions – we have many queries – can we place them to you ?
regards,
debashis
My bathroom in north west. Entry in bathroom is from east. Can i hang the beautifull pic(size 18×12) of coconut tree with fruits in the eastern side of bathroom.
Hi Deepak,
Yes you can
Admin
I have built two rooms on my first floor along the south direction. Can I build a bathroom in southeast of the room (size 15’X 8’3″)which is in southwest.
Hi,
The toilet should not be in the NE or SW corners, so SE or NW are okay.
Admin
Sir i live in an rented apartment whose master bedroom is southwest direction of house with a attached bathroom in southwest corner of same..is it ok..pls suggest
Hi Parushi,
Toilet in SW corner is not ideal
Admin
Sir my house has two bathrooms in the north east direction. I have suffered huge loss in business and it is nearly finished. Should I change the direction of the bathroom door from the bedroom in the north west direction
Hi,
If it makes you feel better, then do that.
Admin
my bathroom is in west side, and the window is also in the west wall , can i put mirror in the South wall or east wall
Hi,
A steel staircase will be ideal.Put the mirror on the East wall.
Admin
Sir, in my newly constructed house, east facing, for children bed room attached toilet,having door from north-east, is located in south-west direction.The said bedroom is located at north-west corner having entrance from north-east from hall.
Whether the toilet placement is correct or not please clarify whether to view this aspect from total house point of view or to view it from the said bedroom point of view.
Hi,
A toilet in the SW corner of the house is not ideal. But if it is just the room, it can be overlooked
Admin
When we moved into our house 17 yearsback we were told that one of the bathrooms out of two was not positioned correctly as it was on the north east wall we were also told that even if we continued using it we can only use it for bathing and not for WC purpose Now with a big family it was not possible to use just one wc so we broke this bathroom and our third bedroom and shifted the bathroom to a space created in the third bedroom
Though we have used it for 17 years but we haven’t found the arrangement very satisfactory
The plan of our flat’s direction is that all the four corners of our house .are the four directions
So my question is that if we go back to our original bathroom space where the outside wall is the north east wall then can we put our fittings in such a manner that it does not go against vastu principles how can i send you a roughly drawn plan of our house
Kiran
Hi,
Do not have a toilet in the NE or SW if you want to follow Vastu. Period. But if it is not coming in the exact corner, you can get away with it.
Admin
We want to construct new house,can we make drawing room attached with bathroom,if the bathroom would be constructed in north-west direction of drawing room,and bathroom’s door opens in east .
Hi,
Yes you can do that.
Admin
sir my house is east direction but my attached bathroom is south north direction and lavatory in that south east corner on the lavatory tank but I am not happy and always facing health problem in my family what is the reason about help me.
Hi,
I think it is all in your mind. If you feel the toilet is a problem then stop using it and use some other toilet.
Admin
Dear sir,
I have east facing house,house was small. so I located the bathroom in centre of East side(between northeast and southeast) for better space in hall.is it good or i have to change it.please suggest me.
Hi,
It is okay position.
Admin
I have L type plot, two roads from west and north. I want to change the location of my attached bathroom,it is located in south-west,as vastu the north-west corner is the best.can i shift it there.And what i do first when i destroy that bathroom from south-west location.any prayer,any daan,for particular day for destroy it.I need your help for this.
Hi,
Yes it is better to shift it to NW. No need to look at auspicious day for doing this.
Admin
Hello Sir,
We have two toilets in our home.
One is in North West and the other is in South East.
Is that okay. Please guide
Hi,
Yes it is okay.
Admin
Hi
My House is facing exactly South East and our combined bathroom is on North West corner. Construction of bathroom is yet to be completed. Please suggest where we should plan WC area. Because our house corners are on East , West North and South. Please guide us what is the proper layout for bathroom and bedrooms if possible.
Hi,
The location of the bathroom is okay according to vastu.
Admin
Sir this is abhijit from pune.recently I book my flat whichever north east entrance,master bed at south west side and parent bed at west side only I hv one major problem that my common toilet are at “Brahma” place can you suggest me any type of vastu tips for avoid negative vibes.
Hi,
Use it less frequently and keep the door closed when not in use.
Admin
Dear sir ,
Nice explanation of vastu principal ,
Here , I would like to share a issue in my preconstracted house . We have bath + toilet in exactly East or along east south line with underground septic tank just below it . From septic tank drain pipes are going to east to west than to north direction to connect municipal drain outside house . We have big ventilation in center of house which give proper sun light in after noon 3.30 pm to till evening 5.30 pm . We have no issue with toilet in drying floor and ventilation etc.
Few people saying toilet & underground septic tank in East is not good , do it correct saying ?
Please provide any vastu remedies for same , if any to improve social life .
Hi,
The toilet in the East is acceptable but a septic tank is ideally in the NW and not in the East. However since you need to connect to the municipal drain, try to take the drainage pipes through the NW.
Admin
Very nice and practically explained sir. We are to shift in a new rental apartment next month. The bedroom has a balcony which is in the North East corner of the house. That room also has a attached bathroom which falls in the North East quadrant, basically North. Is such a bathroom position ok
Hi,
Thank you. As long as the bathroom is not exactly in the NE corner, it is acceptable.
Admin
I really appreciate your knowledge.
what are your thoughts regarding north- east and south -east cut, why are they not considered as negative.
thanks.
Hi,
Thank you. A NE cut reduces the amount of open space considerably and hence will not allow the house to benefit from the suns effect in the NE. Same holds true in case of SE corner. But this problem can be rectified by bifurcating the plot into two using a low wall or shrubs.
Admin
Hi Sir,
We are staying for rent in East facing house . And we have a attached bathroom between stairs (stairs are at south east direction) and kitchen …..bathroom is not below the stairs….Is this fine ?
Dear Sir,
We have constructed a new house with a master bedroom of size 11(breadth)*16(length) in the south west corner with an attached bathroom in the north west corner of the room and a children”s bedroom of size 16(breadth)*10(length) in the north west with an attached bathroom in the north west corner.Is it right according to vasthu.It is an east and north facing home.i.e,we have entrance on both sides.
We have constructed a new house with a master bedroom of size 11(breadth)*16(length) in the south west corner with an attached bathroom in the north west corner of the room and a children”s bedroom of size 16(breadth)*10(length) in the north west with an attached bathroom in the north west corner.Is it right according to vasthu.It is an east and north facing home.i.e,we have entrance on both sides.
Sir, My house is a 3bhk East facing and have 3 bathrooms with toilet inside house and 1 under the steps which is outside house and inside compound wall which is only bathroom. We are using this for keeping washing machine. Is this fine??
Hello sir, We have toilet & bathroom on the west and north of the south facing plot. The road is on the south side where we have corporation drainage located. I am planning to build a small chamber on NW corner to gather the waste water from both the bathroom and toilet before connecting it to the underground drainage. Can we have the pipe outlet from the chamber to the road by the west side of the home from NW to SW and connect with the corporation drainage? or you would suggest to extend the pipe further from SW towards SE on the south and then connect with the corporation drainage as we have kitchen on SE corner, the waste water from kitchen would also linked here? Is this arrangement would be okay? Please advise.
Sir , in my house there are two toilet & bathroom , one is on out side of house WSW & next one is in house WNW , WNW toilet & bathroom is on 2.5 feet height with normal floor , is any harm according to rules please clear it Thanks
Hi,
In our proposed office, the director’s cabin is in the south west part. However, the bathroom floor in the room is almost 6 to 10 inches higher than the flooring of the room. Is that alright according to Vastu?
Thanks
Dear Sir,
we are planning to buy a house where there is a Toilet planned exactly in the NorthEast corner of Ground floor. It is almost unavoidable. If it is really bad to have toilet in NE corner, can youo please give some logical reasoning? Should that be the reason not to buy this House?
Planning to construct a bathroom along with toilets at the south west side of the building. It is separate from the main house but inside the compound. It lies on the south part of the compound. Please suggest some remedies.
I really appreciate your knowledge about vastu but my toilet is under staircase in the West direction is there any problem is there any problem what are what are the remedies
Hi, My house is West facing & we have two toilets in NORTH in the centre of house. One of the toilet is attached to master bedroom & is in the north west corner of master bedroom. These toilet doors & commode are facing south. We have experience we incurred lot of unplanned expenses. Some one told us that the toilet attached to master bedroom which in North West corner of that room is not in correct position & to that is why our wealth is getting drained. Is this understanding true & if so can you suggest remedy for it.
Hi, My house is West facing & we have two toilets in NORTH in the centre of house. One of the toilet is attached to master bedroom & is in the north west corner of master bedroom. These toilet doors & commode are facing south. We have experience we incurred lot of unplanned expenses. Some one told us that the toilet attached to master bedroom which in North West corner of that room is not in correct position & to that is why our wealth is getting drained. Is this understanding true & if so can you suggest remedy for it.
Which would be an ideal position for bathroom, is it north west corner or slightly away from north west corner? In some article it is been said that avoid corners. Please suggest the proper position.
Sir,
I want to build a separate puja room .so, Puja Ghar can be made as mandir style.If the upper outside of the puja Ghar cone/pyramid shape as in mandir than it will be as per vastu or not.
Sir,
I HV a little bit confuse on placing f idol in puja ghar of residential house.
Actually as per vastu most preferable direction 2 place idol in puja ghar is east direction .so that we can pray d god by facing east direction.
But when come 2 mandir ……all d old famous temple r east facing and d idol in d mandir r in West of mandir.so , in mandir we pray d god facing west direction.
Can you please please clear my confusion dt.
Which is d best direction to place idol in house puja ghar and why d idols in mandir placed west side of mandir.
sir, which one is best between attached toilet in south east portions and north west portions of South west master bed room?
Sir, Thanks for the tips. I’m going to build a new house. The land is facing the road south. The house entrances r one is facing south, the other one is facing east. But there is a big apartment is in the east. Our Pooja room entrance facing east. So is this house south facing or east facing? Please let me know
Srilatha
Sir,
Greetings!!! I have a flat and has a north east entry . the exact North east corner has common stairs of the society and kitchen covers a part of North east with two bathrooms in the same line . Bathrooms location is between north west and north east… I want to redo my big bathroom that falls more towards North west – wish to know where exactly i should place the commode and sink and the bathing area .
thanks
Himanshi
Our house on first floor has bathroom on South east corner and another on north west corner. But ground floor has kitchen on south east. Is the bathroom position correct as per vastu?
This is amazing, now through this I will be able to give the right information about bedroom vastu
to the people.
మీ సమదహములు చాలా మచిగా ఉన్నాయి
Thank you
Hi sir,
is it OK if bathroom without a toilet (doing only shower) is in the north east corner of the house as per vastu. Thank you.
Hi Sir, is it OK if bathroom without a toilet ( bathroom using only for bathing) built in the northeast corner of a house. Thank you inadvance.