The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, where nourishing meals are prepared and cherished memories are made. In Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture and design, the kitchen holds a special significance as a vital space that influences the overall harmony and energy of the household. This article explores essential Vastu principles for kitchen design, emphasising the importance of its layout, direction, and elements to create a balanced and inviting cooking space.
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Kitchen Vastu: Significance
As per Vastu shastra, the way a house is designed can influence the flow of energies around us. From living beings to non-living objects, everything has an impact on the energy flow, which is why Vastu guidelines must be followed to ensure positivity and eliminate the negative energies.
The kitchen has a vital role to play in the house. It is the place where the food is cooked that is responsible for giving us energy. Designing the kitchen in the wrong direction may cause imbalance in the energies, which can directly have an impact on the inhabitants of the house. Thus, selecting the right direction for the kitchen as per Vastu, becomes essential.
Kitchen Vastu: Direction
According to Vastu principles, the ideal location for a kitchen is the south-east corner of the house, which is governed by Agni Devta, the Fire god. This makes the south-east position highly favourable for kitchen design, especially in an east-facing house. If the south-east corner is unavailable, the northwest direction can be a secondary option, but it’s essential to avoid the north, west, and northeast directions.
For a west-facing house, either the south-east or northwest direction is recommended for the kitchen. A kitchen in the northwest can be particularly beneficial for some individuals, especially women, as this direction is ruled by Vayu, the wind god. The supportive element of air complements the fire element in the kitchen, promoting health and well-being.
When designing a kitchen in the northwest, it’s important to ensure that the southeast direction remains balanced. The south-west direction should only be considered if neither the southeast nor northwest options are feasible. To mitigate any Vastu dosha associated with a south-west kitchen, place the gas stove in the southeast zone and opt for yellow shades on the walls to counterbalance negative energies. Additionally, minimise water usage inside the kitchen and consider creating a space outside for washing utensils.
It is crucial to follow Vastu guidelines when determining your kitchen’s location. Avoid placing the kitchen directly above or below bedrooms, pooja rooms, or toilets. Ensure the entrance door to the kitchen is located in the East, North, or West directions. Adhering to these recommendations fosters a harmonious and balanced energy flow throughout your home.
Vastu for kitchen size
When selecting the optimal kitchen location according to Vastu, it’s essential to consider the size of the kitchen. Ideally, the kitchen should be at least 80 square feet; a smaller space may negatively affect the well-being of the women in the household. A clean, spacious, and organised kitchen is vital for promoting health and prosperity. The kitchen should be well-ventilated and filled with natural light, enhancing its overall ambiance. To prevent clutter and ensure ample space for cooking, the kitchen design should emphasise minimalism, featuring clean and simple lines.
Kitchen Vastu: Ideal floor
The kitchen and dining room should ideally be on the same floor to ensure convenience and safety, as moving food up and down stairs can be both time-consuming and risky. According to Vastu Shastra, the kitchen is best positioned on the ground floor. This placement supports a harmonious energy flow and balances the home’s environment. The ground floor symbolises stability and represents the earth element, aligning perfectly with the kitchen’s role as a source of nourishment and sustenance.
Vastu for kitchen: Ventilation and windows
Inadequate ventilation in the kitchen can lead to significant health issues for those who cook, particularly women in the household. The placement of windows, in accordance with Vastu principles, is vital for creating a positive environment. Proper ventilation, achieved through windows or air outlets like exhaust fans and modern chimneys, is essential for maintaining air quality and enhancing food preparation. For optimal results, kitchen windows should ideally face east, as this direction allows for ample natural light and airflow. An exhaust fan can also be effectively positioned in the east to further improve ventilation.
Also read about Kitchen Vastu for east facing house
Vastu for Kitchen: Tips for open kitchen layout
The concept of open kitchen is gaining preference among a lot of Indian families, especially those who have lived abroad for several years. Before selecting kitchen location as per vastu, here are a few Vastu tips for open kitchen layouts you should keep in mind:
- The ideal zone for an open kitchen is the south-east, as both the south and east directions are dominated by the fire element.
- Open kitchen layouts in the north zone should be avoided, as it affects new opportunities in career, growth and money.
- The west zone is also considered good for open kitchen layouts. As per Vastu, an open kitchen in west direction promotes gains and good health, physically and financially.
See also: How to select the right Kitchen colour as per Vastu
Kitchen Vastu: Direction of various items
Type | Best direction |
Entry door | North, east or west |
Gas cylinder | South-east |
Cooking gas | South-east corner |
Refrigerator | South-east, south, north or west |
Equipment (e.g., heaters, conventional ovens, microwaves, ovens) | South-east or south |
Storage racks | Western or southern wall |
Sink | North-east corner for southeast kitchen |
Drinking water | North-east |
Windows and exhaust fan | East direction |
Clocks | South or south-west wall |
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Kitchen Vastu: Colours
The kitchen represents purity, making white the most favourable colour according to Vastu Shastra. However, it’s essential to use white judiciously. Excessive red should also be avoided, as it can create unstable energy in space. Dark colours are best kept at bay, as they may contribute to feelings of depression. Recommended hues for a kitchen include green, lemon yellow, and orange, which symbolise nourishment and the qualities of fire. Choosing white for the kitchen ceiling can help achieve balance. It’s advisable to steer clear of black, grey, and blue, with light pastel shades being the preferred choice for a harmonious atmosphere.
Wall colours for kitchen as per Vastu | Represents |
White | Cleanliness and purity |
Yellow | Cheery and positive |
Pastel shades | Warmth and love |
Light brown | Stability |
Colours for kitchen cabinets, floors and slabs | |
Lemon yellow, orange or green cabinets | Freshness, good health |
Ceramic tiles, mosaic or marble flooring | Positivity |
Quartz or granite slabs | Balanced environment |
The kitchen symbolises purity. Therefore, white is the best colour for kitchen according to Vastu Shastra but do not overdo the white colour. One should not use too much red either in the kitchen, as it creates unstable energy. Avoid using dark colours as they may lead to depression. Other ideal colours recommended for the kitchen are green, lemon yellow and orange as these represent nourishing colours and colours of fire. Opt for white in the kitchen ceiling to create balance. Avoid using black, grey and blue colours in the kitchen. “In case one cannot have a separate pooja room, one can have a temple in the kitchen, in the north/east corner, provided one cooks vegetarian food. If non-vegetarian food is cooked, then, it is better not to keep a temple in the kitchen,” concludes Dhamani. Vastu Shastra principles suggest that one can place the mandir, either to the left or right of the stove. Avoid placing the stove opposite the mandir. Also, as per Vastu, the place for kitchen sink and stove should never be near or below the mandir. Do not use black colour in the kitchen. Light pastel shades are ideal.
See also: Vastu Shastra tips for the dining and living rooms
Kitchen Vastu: Colours for different orientations
- East-facing kitchen: Orange, green and beige are the best colours as per Vastu Vastu for an east-facing kitchen. It’s recommended to avoid colours like silver, yellow, gold, white and grey.
- West-facing kitchen: Gold, grey, silver and white are ideal colours for west-facing kitchens, according to Vastu. Try to avoid colours like green, orange and red.
- North-facing kitchen: Vastu says that the north is not the best direction for a kitchen. However, if you do end up with a north-facing kitchen, you can use grey, green and blue. It’s best to avoid colours like red, green, yellow, and orange.
- South-facing kitchen: According to Vastu, red, green, orange, beige, yellow and silver are the best colours for a south-facing kitchen. Make sure to avoid blue, black and grey colours in such kitchens.
Vastu for kitchen slab
For a kitchen slab according to Vastu Shastra, it is better to use stone or marble instead of granite, especially in black colour. The colour for the kitchen slab depends on the direction in which the kitchen is located. If the kitchen is in the east, a green or brown slab is ideal. For a kitchen in the north-east, opt for a yellow slab. For a kitchen location, as per Vastu principles, in the south or south-east, brown, maroon or green slabs are best as per Vastu principles. A grey or yellow slab is recommended for a kitchen in the west. Green is the colour for the kitchen slab in the north, although, ideally, one should avoid having the kitchen in the north area.
Maintaining a clean and clutter-free kitchen slab is important for promoting positivity and good health. It is recommended to keep the slab free from clutter and always clean. To avoid conflicts and disharmony in the family, it is advisable to avoid placing the kitchen slab next to the bathroom. According to Vastu Shastra, the kitchen slab should ideally be positioned in the south-east corner of the kitchen. This placement allows for a steady flow of positive energy, fostering good health and prosperity. Adequate lighting in the kitchen is also crucial as it promotes a positive atmosphere and well-being. Ensure that the kitchen slab is well-lit, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
Cooking direction as per Vastu
One should face the east direction while cooking. Thus, kitchen items such as gas stove and appliances should be placed in a way that one faces east while cooking. An alternate cooking direction is the west. In case the placement of the stove is close to the sink, then keep a bone china vase in between as a Vastu remedy.
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Vastu for kitchen sink and stove
The placement of the kitchen sink as per Vastu guidelines is important as it connects with the water feature, the faucets. The southeast direction is the best direction for a kitchen and the kitchen sink should be in the northeast corner. If the kitchen is built in the south direction, the sink should be placed in the north side.
When designing a kitchen sink, make sure it is not parallel to or in the same direction to the stove or cooking area. The reason is that the stove symbolises the fire element and sink relates to the water element. The two elements must not be placed together to avoid any negative impact. They can be positioned facing each other.
Vastu for kitchen: Placement of water pipes
As per Vastu Shastra, the washbasin, water pipes, washing machine and kitchen drain should ideally be positioned in the north or northeast direction within the kitchen. However, an overhead water tanker should never be placed in these directions. Instead, it is recommended to position the water tanker outside the kitchen, preferably in the western part of the house. Maintaining a proper balance between the fire and water elements in the kitchen is crucial, as this harmony promotes both health and wealth in the household.
Vastu for kitchen: Placement of drinking water
According to kitchen Vastu guidelines, appliances for drinking water and utensils should ideally be placed inside the kitchen. The northeast or north corner of the kitchen is the most suitable location for drinking water sources. If these directions are unavailable, the east corner can also be considered as an alternative placement to maintain Vastu compliance.
Kitchen Vastu for refrigerator placement
As refrigerators are getting bigger in size, it’s becoming more crucial to find the right place for them in the kitchen. As per Vastu tips for kitchens, it’s recommended to place the refrigerator in the south-west direction and at least one foot away from the corners. Avoid placing it in the north-east direction.
Vastu for Kitchen: Electric appliances
In modern kitchens, there are many electrical appliances, such as microwaves, ovens, heaters, mixers, and grinders. According to Vastu tips for kitchens, these appliances should always be placed in the southeast direction of the kitchen. It is important to avoid placing them in the northeast direction.
Kitchen Vastu: Direction of cabinets
For any kitchen, the position of cabinets as per vastu also has an influence on the flow of energies in the house. Design maximum cabinets in the south and west kitchen walls. Leaving open space above kitchen cabinets can attract negative energy. If the kitchen cabinets do not extend to the ceiling, keep plants or decorative items on them.
- For kitchen cabinets in the east go for shades of green and brown
- For cabinets in South and South East red, maroon, pink, orange and brown are ideal.
- For kitchen cabinets in the west, ideal colours are silver and white
- For a kitchen in the north opt for blue, green and brown
Vastu for temple in the kitchen
If a separate pooja room is not feasible, a temple can be placed in the kitchen, ideally in the north or east corner, as long as only vegetarian food is prepared. According to Vastu Shastra, the mandir can be positioned to the left or right of the stove, but it should never face the stove directly. Additionally, the kitchen sink and stove should not be located near or directly beneath the mandir to maintain a harmonious energy flow.
Kitchen Vastu: Dining room placement
The dining room should ideally be located near or attached to the kitchen for convenience and efficient functionality. According to Vastu principles, the optimal placement for a dining room is in the northeast, northwest, or southeast corners of the home. Alternatively, situating the dining room on the west side of the building is also considered favorable, as it is believed to promote prosperity and financial growth.
Kitchen Vastu: Dos and don’ts
Here are a few general guidelines regarding kitchen Vastu.
Vastu for kitchen: Don’ts
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Vastu for kitchen: Dos
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See also: How to improve the Vastu of a house without making structural changes?
Kitchen Vastu: Design and décor tips
- Avoid an all-white kitchen, as it can make the space look dull and cold. A kitchen should always look welcoming.
- Do not build too many cabinets in dark colours, as it can make the space look claustrophobic and overbearing.
- Place the kitchen platform position as per Vastu principles. According to kitchen Vastu, platforms touching the north wall of the kitchen should be avoided but platforms can be extended on the southern wall.
- If a loft is required in the kitchen, then, it should be on the west or south wall and not on east or north.
- According to Vastu, keeping a water-filled pot in the kitchen helps in keeping financial woes away. If one cannot keep a big earthen pot, opt for a small one. Fill it with water and keep it in the north or north-east portion.
- If you want a timeless look, avoid decorative decals as it may go out of trend very soon.
- Do not use dark colours in a small kitchen as it makes the space look smaller.
- High cabinets and low ceilings are not the best match, as one will shrink the perception of the other.
- Make sure the kitchen stove is placed in the right direction as per Vastu. As per Vastu for kitchen sink and stove, if the stove and sink are close to each other, place a bone china vase between them as a Vastu remedy.
- Ensure that the windows open out to the east or the north for natural light.
- The floor colours of the kitchen should be yellow, orange, rose, chocolate or red.
- The kitchen design should be such that the position of gas burner, as per Vastu, is not right in front of the main door of the kitchen.
- Avoid keeping a broom in the kitchen and never keep it upright. Always keep it on the ground.
Kitchen Vastu: Remedies to remove Vastu dosh at home
Here are a few simple remedies for kitchen Vastu dosha but it is always better to consult a Vastu expert and seek advice.
- If the kitchen location, as per Vastu, is in the northeast or north direction, then, as per Vastu, a Jupiter crystal pyramid placed above the stove helps to reduce the negative energy of the Vastu dosha.
- If the placement of the stove is not as per Vastu Shastra, then, paste a set of three zinc pyramids on the wall opposite the stove.
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According to Vastu, if the kitchen platform is black, and one is unable to replace then put white tiles under the stove.
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For the kitchen that has a Vastu flaw of facing the main door of the house,, hang a 50 mm crystal between the main door and the kitchen door, on the ceiling.
- Hang a 50 mm crystal on the four corners of the ceiling of the kitchen, to minimise the Vastu dosha arising out of incorrect placement of the water storage tank.
- If electrical appliances are placed in directions other than the south-east in the Kitchen, as per Vastu, paste a Mars crystal pyramid beside the electrical appliances.
- If the kitchen is in the north-east direction which is not favoured by Vastu, then, it is advisable to paint it in yellow colour to minimise the ill effects of Vastu fault.
- If the kitchen and the toilet share a common wall, then, a zinc metal ‘nine pyramid’ should be pasted on both sides of the wall that is common to the kitchen and bathroom, to reduce the negative impact of Vastu fault.
- A simple remedy is to place a crystal and a yellow light bulb in the temple, if the temple or the puja room is above the kitchen sink.
- To correct Vastu doshas, you can also place small portions of uncrushed sea salt. It absorbs all the negative energy from home. Replace the salt in the bowl regularly.
- The kitchen door should not be behind the person who is cooking. The door should open in a clockwise direction, either towards the east, north, or north-east direction. If this is not possible, then, a Vastu remedy is to fix three Zinc Jupiter crystal pyramids on the wall opposite the stove.
How to design a Vastu-compliant kitchen?
Before implementing any Vastu rules for your kitchen, it is important to understand your kitchen space, layout, usage, modular kitchen accessories, and requirements. Every kitchen is different, so it’s essential to personalise the Vastu tips according to your kitchen’s specific needs. By taking the help of Vastu Shastra, you can create a comfortable and positive space for yourself and your family.
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Incorporating Vastu principles into your kitchen design can significantly enhance the overall well-being of your home. By aligning the kitchen’s layout, direction, and colours with these ancient guidelines, you not only create a space that promotes positive energy flow but also foster family bonds through the joy of cooking and sharing meals. Whether it’s selecting the ideal location, ensuring proper ventilation, or carefully placing kitchen appliances, each element plays a crucial role in harmonising the kitchen environment. By embracing these Vastu tips and remedies, you can transform your kitchen into a nurturing and uplifting heart of your home, where both health and happiness thrive.
FAQs
Which colour is best for kitchen slab according to Vastu?
Ideal colours for kitchen platforms are yellow, white, orange and green.
Which direction is bad for kitchen?
A kitchen in the north or north-east direction is not recommended, as it can severely impact one’s career and finances. Similarly, the south-west is also not suitable for a kitchen, as it can affect marital relationships.
Where should I place the garbage bin in the kitchen?
Keep garbage bins in the south-west, west or north-west.
Can I keep lucky bamboo plant in the kitchen?
Yes, if the kitchen is located in the east or south-east direction of the house. Opt for bamboo with three, five or seven stalks, for good health, happiness and prosperity.
Is it ok to cook facing South?
According to Vastu avoid facing south when cooking as it may lead to financial woes. The best direction is to face East when cooking.
Which direction is best for gas stove?
The kitchen gas stove position as per Vastu is the south-east direction, as this corner signifies fire.
Where should the sink be placed in a kitchen?
The ideal kitchen sink direction as per vastu is along the north or north-east direction.
Which direction is the best for the kitchen?
South east direction for the kitchen as per Vastu is recommended.
Where should I put my dustbin in my kitchen?
The south-west, the west or the north west, in the kitchen, as per Vastu, are ideal directions to keep dustbins.
What are the basic Vastu tips for kitchen?
The kitchen should ideally be located in the southeast corner of the house, and when cooking, one should face east. Alternatively, facing west during cooking is considered a neutral direction in Vastu. The sink is best placed in the northwest zone of the kitchen.
Which direction is good for fridge?
According to Vastu principles, the ideal direction for placing the fridge is in the southwest. It's best if the fridge door opens towards the east when in use. The west, northwest, and north directions are also considered suitable for fridge placement. However, it's advisable to avoid placing the fridge in the east or northeast direction.
Which colour of fridge is good for Vastu?
For a metallic kitchen, opt for a white or cream-coloured fridge. If you opt for a wooden furnished kitchen, shades of green are considered auspicious.
What is the best kitchen size as per Vastu?
According to Vastu guidelines, the minimum recommended kitchen room size is 85 sqft or 8 sqm.
Which colour is not good for kitchen?
Avoid using colours such as red, black, or other dark shades in the kitchen, as they are believed to attract negative energy.
Can mandir be next to the kitchen?
No, Vastu advises against placing a pooja room (prayer area) above, below, or next to a toilet or kitchen, as it is considered inauspicious.