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: 

• Designing A Bathroom
• Bathroom Fixtures
• An Architect’s Ideas For Bathrooms

If you want to make the rest of the rooms of your house/apartment also Vastu compliant, then go to:

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