SCIENTIFIC VASTU | BALCONY | An Architect Explains

A Balcony is a platform that projects from the wall of the building and is surrounded by a railing, balustrade or parapet. A balcony is generally located on the outside of a room and separated from it by a door. So when the door is opened, the room opens up enlarging the living space and offering a large aerial view to the outside. A balcony adds aesthetic value to a building and thus increases the market value of the house.

balcony railing

A balcony is used for a variety of purposes such as: a relaxation area for yourself or your pets, for reading a book, for carrying out gardening, for sunbathing, snoozing etc.  Therefore, it is important that the energy in a balcony should be relaxing and comforting.

So, is there a way to make the balcony a relaxing, happy place? Well, according to Vastu Shastra, the right placement of the balcony, the door, furniture, lighting and the colours can ensure that the balcony becomes a space full of positive energy. To know more about making your balcony a vastu compliant space, read on….. 

balcony-view-vastu
A balcony offers a large aerial view of the outside.

Listed here, are some of the Vastu Guidelines for a Balcony. Since Vastu Shastra is a science, every guideline is based on logic and reasoning.  As an Architect, I have attempted to explain each of these guidelines rationally and scientifically under the following headings, so that 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 balcony according to Vastu?
What are the vastu guidelines for furniture in a balcony?
What are the Vastu guidelines for plants in a balcony?
What are the Vastu guidelines for the roof of a balcony?





 

WHAT IS THE BEST POSITION FOR A BALCONY ACCORDING TO VASTU?
  • Best position of balcony: North or East
  • Avoid: South or West

Balconies should be in the East or North part of the house: They should not be to the South or the West sides of the main building. The Scientific Reason A Balcony is a good place to sit out and sun-bathe. So, the ideal position for this will be in the North, where there is constant useful sunlight and the East where there is morning Sunlight. The West and South sides are too hot to sit and hence should be avoided.

balcony-use
A Balcony is a semi shaded place suitable for sunbathing or working

 
WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR PLANTS IN A BALCONY?

Small plants can be placed in the North-East of the Balcony: The Scientific Reason Plants need sunlight to thrive and so should be placed in the North-East, where there is constant, morning sunlight. However if they grow too tall or grow up a pillar, they will obstruct the light into the Balcony and so should be kept short.

Keep only small flower pots in the Balcony: Flower pots with Creepers should not be kept in the Balcony. The Logic – Big flower pots and pots with overflowing creepers tend to obstruct light into the Balcony.

balcony-plants-vastu

 
WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR FURNITURE IN A BALCONY?

Heavy furniture and seating should be placed only in the South-West part of the Balcony: The Scientific Reason – The North and East parts of the Balcony should not be obstructed by heavy furniture, so that the useful sunlight can stream in and light up the whole place and the room that is attached to the balcony.

balcony-furniture-vastu

A swing should be placed in the East-West axis: The Scientific Reason – This way, the person sitting on the swing, faces either North or South and thus the sun will not hit him in the face directly.

The floor of the balcony must always be lower than the floor of the main building. The Reason- Since a balcony is exposed to the outdoor elements, there is a chance of rain entering the main house. So it is advisable to keep the balcony floor a step lower.

 

WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE ROOF IN A BALCONY?

Height of the Balcony roof should be less than the roof of the main building: The Logic – A Balcony is a small space and will look proportional only if the roof is a bit lower than the rest of the building.

balcony-roof-vastu
The roof in a balcony should be lower than the rest of the rooms.

The roof of the balcony should slope towards North, East or North-East. The Reason- This way, the balcony roof will not obstruct the useful sunlight from the North, East or North-East, from entering the main building. 

Avoid using asbestos or tin roof for a Balcony: The Logic – A tin or asbestos roof absorbs and traps heat within a space, making it uncomfortably hot for the users.

This post was about the Vastu guidelines for the design of Balcony. The Balcony is usually accessed from the Bedrooms. Read the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:

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



For a concise Vastu guide and evaluation of your Balcony, please refer to the post on my blog: House construction in India

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60 thoughts on “SCIENTIFIC VASTU | BALCONY | An Architect Explains

  • December 19, 2017 at 10:02 am
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    The golf club that I belong to has a balcony on the 2nd story. It is attached to the grill and bar where food and drinks are served. It has 2 doors that have access to the balcony. The only way you can enter the balcony is through the grill and bar.
    Is this balcony part of the grill and bar? Would the extra square footage add to the square footage of the building? Our club is a no smoking area. Since the balcony is attached to the grill and bar, smoke will enter the bar & grill while people smoke on the balcony. Would this balcony have to be a no smoking area, also?
    Thanks.

  • January 16, 2018 at 9:17 pm
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    Hi Sir,
    I am planning to buy a flat having main entrance slightly in the North to North-West,Kitchen in the east direction, common toilet in the east direction adjacent to the kitchen and one bedroom in the south east corner, 2nd bedroom in the east direction and the third master bedroom in the south west direction attached with bathroom in the south and square sized balcony in the south west corner attached to the room and this balcony in not the extended one but incarved feom the portion of the flat. But in many websites related to Vastu Sastra is written that there should be no balcony in the South West direction as it drain the wealth and brings negative energy. Kindly, suggest the remedial action if any. As this is the flat within my budget and there are other flats as well that goes beyond my budget and is also not required considering the no of members of my family.

  • February 4, 2018 at 1:03 am
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    hi sir,
    we have seen a east facing flat with 10 ft width and 7 feet depth open lobby in front of main door and which has a open projected balcony of 5ft 6 inches in the west attached to living room. can you give us a good advice sir .

  • February 14, 2018 at 12:01 am
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    HELLO
    i have recently bought in a flat in an apartment whose main entrance is from south & COIN-SIDING THE NEIGHBORS ENTRANCE FACE TO FACE …just wanted to ask i want a Jhoola (swing) in my balcony which is in north ,can it be idle ?

  • March 3, 2018 at 3:56 am
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    Hi my toilet is in south east it will make problem

  • April 25, 2018 at 2:32 am
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    Hi Sir,

    I am planning to purchase a 2bhk house which is west facing. The entrance door lies towards North in the corner, which I read at many places that it is not good. There is no possibility of moving the door. Kitchen is in South East (with a utility area in East). Master Bedroom in south west, second bedroom in north east. A balcony is in East direction that is extended out of the flat. Even I read that this creates a North East cut. Is it ok to buy the flat? Please advice ASAP.

  • May 25, 2018 at 4:13 am
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    We saw a 3bhk West facing flat with a cut in the SE….NE has a balcony …. 2/3 is a balcony and 1/3 on SE is a cut is it okay
    Can we go ahead and buy it
    Second point
    The opposite flat is a East facing flat….has a balcony in the West SW….2/3 is a balcony and 1/3 is a cut is it supposed to be NW cut or NE extension
    Which of these two is good

  • August 18, 2018 at 2:58 pm
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    Hello
    I live in South Holland and I liked one appartment a lot and wants to buy it. But the only thing bothering me is the direction of the balcony. It’s facing south and I have read so many articles saying it inauspicious. Is it true?
    Hi,
    Please do not apply vastu guidelines in holland. they are relevant only in India.
    Admin

  • April 11, 2019 at 7:10 pm
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    Hello sir
    We are about to book a 3BHK flat in pune
    Main door opens in east but our balcony and all three rooms window side is in south.
    All rooms one side which faces south is all made of toughened glass.
    Is it good to buy?
    My concern is will be my all room and balcony will be more hotter?
    Will i get sun in winter in balcony
    Waiting for ur reply

  • November 17, 2020 at 9:18 am
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    hello sir i really like your blog i am an architect and interior designer. i am confused about this type of balcony big side balcony like verandah. so how to mark brmha sthan center? it will including the balcony/verandah/porch or excluding the balcony/verandah/porch area??? please reply

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