The ancient Hindu architectural doctrine Vastu recommends a number of rules in construction of staircases. Applying staircase Vastu in the construction leads to easy movement in general and easy flow of positivity in the house in particular. It also decreases any chances of major or minor mishaps. This guide would help you know all the dos and don’t you need to follow when building the stairs in your abode.
See also: Vastu for rented house
The importance of staircase as per vastu
In Vastu Shastra, the movement within a house, whether air, people, or energy, is considered vital. A staircase facilitates upward and downward movement in a home, making it a crucial channel through which energies flow between floors. The staircase symbolizes ascent and descent in energy levels. When designed and positioned correctly, it allows for the smooth flow of positive energy. However, if misaligned, it can obstruct energy flow, causing various challenges in life.
Improper placement or design of staircases can lead to:
- Financial loss: An incorrectly positioned staircase can cause instability in financial matters.
- Health problems: Poorly placed staircases may lead to health issues, especially related to stress and anxiety.
- Disharmony in relationships: The constant up-and-down motion of people and energy through an inauspiciously placed staircase can create misunderstandings and conflicts.
- Hindered career growth: The imbalance caused by a wrongly aligned staircase can lead to stagnant career progression or professional setbacks.
How staircase direction impacts a home according to Vastu
In Vastu Shastra, the direction of a staircase plays a crucial role in determining the energy dynamics of a home. Proper staircase placement ensures a harmonious, positive energy flow (prana), while misplacement can lead to disruptions. Here’s how the direction impacts staircases:
Influence on energy flow
The staircase acts as a channel for energy between different levels of the house. Its direction determines whether this flow enhances positivity or creates imbalances. Favourable directions allow forthe smooth circulation of energy, supporting the well-being and prosperity of occupants.
Impact of favourable directions
The South, West, and Southwest directions are considered ideal for staircases. These directions represent stability and grounding in Vastu. A staircase positioned here can provide strength, security, and balance to the household’s overall energy flow.
Consequences of unfavourable directions
The Northeast is highly auspicious in Vastu and is associated with spiritual and harmonious energy. Placing a staircase in this direction can obstruct this energy, potentially leading to health problems and financial instability. The Brahmasthan, or the center of the house, is another sensitive area that should remain open and free. A staircase in this position can create disturbances, impacting the mental and emotional harmony of the occupants.
Connection to directional elements
Each direction aligns with specific elements in Vastu. For instance:
- South is associated with fire, symbolising energy and transformation.
- West is linked to water, representing flow and adaptability.
- Northeast represents space, symbolising openness and spirituality.
Placing a staircase in harmony with these elements supports the energy of the associated direction, enhancing the balance within the house.
Circulation between floors
The orientation of a staircase affects how energy moves between different levels of the house. A stair placed in the right direction ensures that positive energy flows seamlessly, fostering harmony. Conversely, poor placement can lead to energy stagnation or imbalance, impacting the health and prosperity of the family.
The ideal direction of staircase as per vastu
The location and orientation of a staircase in a house play a critical role in the overall energy dynamics. Staircases should be designed considering both their placement within the house and the direction they face. Place your staircase in the west or south areas of the house, as these directions are considered auspicious, promoting strength and stability while reducing any negative effects on the household’s prosperity.
| Home direction | Staircase direction as per vastu |
| East | Southwest |
| West | Southwest, south, or northwest |
| South | Southwest, west, or southeast |
| North | Northwest, west, or southwest |
Staircase Vastu for east-facing house
For homes with an entrance facing east, it’s advisable to position the staircase in the southwest, south, or west corners. The staircase should ascend clockwise, moving from north to south or east to west. Avoid placing staircases in the northeast corner, obstructing beneficial sunlight and disrupting energy flow.
Staircase Vastu for west-facing house
In west-facing homes, staircases are best located in the southwest, south, or northwest areas. The ascent should be clockwise, turning from west to north or south to east. Placing a staircase in the northeast is discouraged due to potential negative impacts on financial stability.
Staircase Vastu for south-facing house
Situate staircases in the southwest, west, or southeast zones for south-facing residences. Ensure the stairs ascend clockwise, moving from south to west or east to north. Avoid the northeast corner to prevent disturbances in the home’s energy balance.
Staircase Vastu for north-facing house
In north-facing homes, staircases should be placed in the northwest, west, or southwest sections. The staircase should ascend clockwise, turning from north to east or west to south. The northeast corner remains unsuitable for staircase placement to maintain positive energy flow.
Northeast staircase vastu remedy
If relocating the staircase is not feasible, certain remedies can help mitigate these negative effects:
- Installation of Copper Tortoises: Position two copper tortoises facing each other beneath the lowest step of the staircase. This arrangement is believed to harmonise the disrupted energy flow caused by the staircase’s placement.
- Placement of Mirrors: Affix mirrors on the northeast walls adjacent to the staircase. This technique creates an illusion of expanded space, counteracting energy compression in the northeast corner.
- Use of Light Colors and Materials: Construct the staircase using light-coloured materials to minimise the sense of heaviness in the northeast area, thereby reducing adverse impacts.
- Incorporation of Vastu Yantras: Install a North East Direction Yantra in the northeast zone to rectify Vastu defects and enhance positive energy.
How to choose staircase location as per vastu?
In Vastu Shastra, the placement and design of a staircase are crucial for maintaining a harmonious flow of energy within a home. An appropriately positioned staircase can enhance well-being and prosperity, while an ill-placed one may lead to financial and health challenges.
Optimal directions for staircase placement
- Southwest (Nairutya): This is considered the most auspicious location for a staircase, as it aligns with the earth element, providing stability and grounding.
- South (Dakshin) and West (Paschim): These directions are also favorable, supporting the natural flow of energy and promoting growth and success.
Directions to avoid
- Northeast (Ishaan): Placing a staircase here can obstruct the flow of positive energy, potentially leading to financial instability and health issues.
- Center (Brahmasthan): The central area should remain open and free; a staircase here can disrupt the balance of energies within the home.
Orientation and movement
- Clockwise ascent: Stairs should ascend in a clockwise direction, aligning with the natural movement of energy and fostering harmony.
Design considerations
- Shape: Opt for regular shapes like square or rectangular staircases. Avoid spiral designs, as they can create energy disturbances.
- Number of steps: Ensure the staircase has an odd number of steps, which is considered auspicious and promotes positive energy flow.
Additional guidelines
- Visibility: The staircase should not be directly visible from the main entrance, which can lead to energy loss.
- Under-stair space: Avoid using the space beneath the staircase for kitchens, puja rooms, or bathrooms. It can be utilised for storage, provided it is kept clean and clutter-free.
Ideal number of steps in a staircase as per vastu
The number of steps in a staircase should always be odd (15, 17, 19, or 21). The number must never end with a ‘0’. Why so? An average person tends to put his right foot first, while taking a flight of stairs. The flight must end with the user putting his right foot down. This is only possible, if the staircase has an odd number of steps.
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Vastu for staircase inside the house
Vastu experts are of the belief that for internal staircases, the south-west portion in the property is an ideal choice. The south and the west portions happen to be the second-best choices. In this case, the staircase must start from the north and go towards the south. Alternatively, it can start from the east and go towards the west. An internal staircase should not be located at the center of the property.
Vastu for staircase outside the house
In case of external staircases, the ideal external staircase direction as per vastu are:
- The south-east, facing the east.
- The south-west, facing the west.
- The south-west, facing the south.
- The north-west, facing the north.
The staircase should not be built in the north-east corner, whether externally or internally. Also, staircases positioned right before the entrance cause imbalance.
Also read all about east facing house Vastu
Puja room under staircase vastu
In Vastu Shastra, the placement of a pooja room is pivotal in maintaining the sanctity and positive energy within a home. Positioning a pooja room beneath a staircase is generally discouraged due to several reasons:
Energy flow and sanctity: The area under a staircase often experiences heavy foot traffic and movement, disrupting the serene atmosphere essential for a pooja room. Such disturbances can hinder meditation and spiritual practices.
Accumulation of negative energy: Spaces beneath staircases are prone to clutter and darkness, leading to stagnant energy accumulation. Establishing a pooja room in such areas can attract negative energies, adversely affecting the household’s well-being.
Alternative recommendations: For homes with limited space, it’s advisable to locate the pooja room in the northeast corner, which is considered highly auspicious. If that’s not feasible, the east or west directions are suitable alternatives. Ensuring the pooja room is placed in a clean, quiet, and energetically positive area enhances its spiritual efficacy.
Wash basin under staircase vastu
Placement of a wash basin under a staircase is generally discouraged due to the following reasons:
Energy disruption: The space beneath a staircase often experiences significant foot traffic, leading to disturbances that can negatively impact the tranquillity of areas like a wash basin.
Accumulation of negative energy: Under-staircase areas are prone to darkness and clutter, which can result in stagnant energy accumulation, adversely affecting the household’s well-being.
Vastu remedies: If situating a wash basin under the staircase is unavoidable, implementing a false ceiling above the basin can help mitigate Vastu doshas by preventing negative energy accumulation.
Alternative recommendations: It’s advisable to place the wash basin in the north or east direction of the dining hall, as these orientations are considered auspicious and promote positive energy flow.
Other factor that impact stairs Vastu
When implementing staircase vastu norms, also factor in these other considerations:
Location of a Vastu-compliant staircase
Landlords who live on the ground floor and have rented out the upper floor to a tenant, must ensure that they do not have a staircase right at the main entrance. This, say Vastu experts, could lead to financial losses.
Starting point of the staircase
The stairs within the home should never start from or end at the kitchen, the store room, or the puja room. The steps going to the upper floor should not be a continuation of the stairs that lead to the basement or the cellar.
Visibility of a Vastu-compliant staircase
An internal staircase must be built in such a way that is not directly in the line of vision of your visitors. Having doors at the start and the end of the staircase, is also advisable.
See also: Main gate colour combinations as per Vastu
Staircase Vastu: Orientation of steps
The way the stairs in your staircase move can have a lasting impact on physical health. This is why staircase Vastu rules must be complied with when it comes to the orientation of the steps.
According to staircase Vastu rules, staircases should always turn clockwise, as we walk up. In other words, the person using the stairs to go up should move from the north to the south or the east to the west. Vastu experts are of the opinion that an anti-clockwise staircase can impact career growth.
Vastu-recommended shape for staircase
Square and rectangular staircases with bends at right angles, are the best for internal or external staircases according to Vastu. Staircases that are too steep or too high would result in the user feeling drained out, each time he has to use it. For the same reason, experts ask property owners to avoid spiral staircases.
Vastu-recommended colours for staircase
You want your staircase to be well-lit so that climbing up and down during any time of the day is not a problem. When you choose dark shades to colour or decorate your staircase, it would naturally assume a dark tinge, something you don’t want at all. That is why always go for light shades to paint the stairs or the banister. Avoid dark shades in stairs, especially red and black, as these colours will give negative energy. The walls adjoining the staircase can be decorated with a wallpaper of your choice, preferably not too dark.
See also: Marble staircase design ideas for your home
Vastu recommendations for use of storage under staircase
In small homes, the space under the staircase if often used to build a small kitchen, bathroom or puja room. Sometimes, a small workstation is also created under the staircase, to utilise the area optimally. This should be strictly avoided. The space under the staircase should be used for nothing but storage of common household items, say Vastu experts. Cabinets containing valuable items, such as cash or jewellery, should not be kept in this space. Do not use this space for keeping discarded items or worn out footwear.
See also: Bathroom direction as per Vastu
Vastu rules for staircase decoration
According to Vastu rules, staircase walls should not be decorated with family photos, as it can cause differences in the family members and can be detrimental to their health. Decorate the stairs wall with sceneries of blooming flowers, lush greenery, mountains or abstract art. Keep ceramic pots for plants underneath the staircase area. According to Vastu, it is inauspicious to hang a mirror in front of, or under the stairs, as the reflection will attract negative energy inside the house. Never keep a fountain or an aquarium under a staircase. The staircase area should be well lit up.
Vastu rules for staircase handrail
Stair rails, or handrails ensure the safety of people using the steps. It can be stylish but most importantly, it should provide comfort when climbing up or down. According to Vastu, it is advisable to opt for marble or stone rails for the staircase in the south-west direction. For stairs in the west, opt for metal rails and use wooden rails for the east and south staircase.
Even though somehow pleasing to the eye, a staircase without a handrail, like the one shown in this picture, could be highly risky.
Vastu for staircase: Tip for nearby doors
In Vastu Shastra, the placement of doors about staircases is crucial for maintaining a harmonious energy flow within the home. It’s advisable to avoid positioning doors directly at the beginning or end of a staircase. Such alignment can lead to an imbalance in energy distribution, potentially causing disturbances in the household. Additionally, ensure that staircases do not touch the eastern or northern walls of the house, as this can disrupt the positive energy associated with these directions. By thoughtfully considering the placement of doors and staircases, you can promote a more balanced and positive environment in your living space.
Vastu for staircase lighting
Proper lighting in the staircase area is essential for safety and energy flow. According to Vastu Shastra, staircases should be well-lit to prevent stagnant energy. Utilizing natural light during the day and soft, warm artificial lighting in the evening can promote a harmonious environment. Avoid using harsh or dim lighting, as it can disrupt the balance of energy in the home.
Staircase placement relative to the main entrance
Advise on the placement of staircases about the home’s main entrance. It’s recommended to avoid positioning a staircase directly in front of the main door, as this can lead to an imbalance of energy flow and may negatively impact the health and prosperity of the occupants.
Rules for usage of space along the staircase as per vastu
Vastu experts also advise against displaying photo frames carrying pictures of deities or family members on the wall space along the staircase. Vastu rules on staircase, however, do not advise against using the wall space to flaunt great artwork. In case you want to dress this space up with wallpapers, it would be ideal to use light shades of any colour. You want your staircase to be illuminated and well-lit. Light-coloured wall papers would enable that at all times.
The picture below could act as an inspiration.
Serious staircase defects
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| Staircase in the north-east side
Spiral staircases Staircase encircling the building Circular and round steps Broken steps Dark-coloured staircase Rickety or creaky staircase |
Key facts about staircase design
What is rise in a staircase?
In a staircase, the rise signifies the vertical distance from the top of one tread to the top of the next tread. The International Residential Code prescribes a maximum rise of 7 ¾ inch.
What is run in a staircase?
The run is the horizontal distance from the face of one riser to the face of the next riser. Even though it is confused with the size of the tread itself, it is not so. The International Residential Code prescribes at least 10 inch run.
What is the Vastu recommended rise and run height for a staircase?
Ideally, the rise and the run should equal 18 inches, for utmost comfort of the user.
Staircase Vastu: Key things to remember
- The rise of a stair should be between 4 inches and 7.75 inches, while the length of the tread should be between 10 and 11.25 inches.
- Within the house, you could build a staircase without the railing, as long as the width of the stairs is on the highest side. It is mandatory to have railings on stairs built outside the house, in case they consist of more than five steps.
- While some would like to completely disagree, it may not be a good idea to go for a makeshift staircase. Those could prove to be distracting and extremely risky.
Bad staircase design according to Vastu
Since the inception of the concept, when staircases were treated simply as a tool to help us walk up and down, it has undergone several changes. Today, staircases are also supposed to be a style statement that speaks volumes about the fine designing of the house. Unfortunately, amid the grand plans to impress the viewer through detailed designs, sometimes, the owners end up messing with the basic purpose of the staircases, impacting its practicality—that is, walking up and walking down them becomes painful or tricky or both. The staircase below is a case in point.
Do be mindful of the fact that a poorly conceived staircase design could lead to the elimination of all the positive results brought by applying Vastu principles in other parts of the house. According to Vastu experts, a staircase at the centre of a property can lead to various complications in pregnancy.
Impact of Vastu Dosha in staircases
If the staircase has any Vastu dosha, the members living in the property may face a variety of physical, mental and financial losses, etc. A staircase in the north-east corner or the ‘Ishan Kona’, for example, is considered a major Vastu defect. Having a staircase in this corner might lead to serious ailments related to brain, kidney or heart among the residents.
Anything that has to do with the movement of the people living within a house, can significantly impact the heath, well-being and daily operations within the house. Hence, staircases play a major role in the efficiency of a house. Any structural or other defect pertaining to the staircase, may result in major or minor accidents. Design faults could also hamper the movement of the residents within the house, making it highly inconvenient.
“Even if you are not a firm believer of Vastu, you have to concede the fact that there could be negative implications, if the staircase is not planned carefully. Badly planned staircases can not only hinder your movement but can lead to accidents,” points out Rajat Khatri, a Delhi-based architect.
Along with other seemingly more important parts of a home, the owner must also pay due attention to staircase Vastu, as the flow of positive energy in your home depends on the synergy between various portions of the house, including the staircase.
Best staircase flooring materials
Carpet flooring for steps
Soft and noise-reducing, carpet flooring adds comfort and safety to your staircase.
Carpet runners
A stylish, non-slip option, carpet runners offer partial coverage while showcasing the underlying flooring.
Vinyl plank flooring for stairs
Durable, affordable, and easy to maintain, vinyl planks mimic wood or stone for a modern look.
Hardwood flooring for stairs
Timeless and elegant, hardwood stairs bring warmth and sophistication to any home.
Marble flooring for steps
Luxurious and sleek, marble steps elevate the aesthetic appeal with their polished finish.
Resin finish steps
A modern, glossy option, resin steps are seamless, durable, and available in various custom designs.
Steel steps
Industrial and contemporary, steel steps offer a minimalist, durable option ideal for modern homes.
Housing.com POV
A well-placed and adequately constructed staircase by Vastu Shastra can bring balance, stability, and prosperity into your home. By following the guidelines outlined in this article—such as placing the stairs in the southwest, ensuring clockwise movement, and using sturdy materials—you can ensure that your staircase supports positive energy flow. For those with existing staircases that do not comply with Vastu, implementing simple remedies like Vastu pyramids, mirrors, and colors can help mitigate negative effects.
FAQs
Are spiral staircases good?
Spiral staircases are considered inauspicious, as per Vastu Shastra rules.
Can I build a pooja room under the staircase?
Vastu experts caution that pooja rooms should not be built under the staircase.
Is a staircase facing the main door good?
According to Vastu Shastra, a main door in front of the staircase is not good and it can negatively impact the success and prosperity of the home's occupants.
What is the significance of the staircase in Vastu?
The staircase is important, as it serves as a link between the energies of various floors according to Vastu. The staircase is the crucial point in the house that forms strong energy and if placed correctly, it can contribute towards good health and prosperity of the family.
(With additional inputs from Purnima Goswami Sharma)
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