16 Vastu Zones Explained: A Complete Guide to Energy Mapping Your Home
In Vastu Shastra, your home is a living energy field. Dividing the plan into 16 functional zones gives you a practical blueprint to guide placement, décor, and daily use-so the space actively supports your goals and wellbeing.
“When the 16 zones are in harmony, the home becomes a gentle but constant tailwind for every resident’s intentions.”
Quick-Glance: The 16 Vastu Zones, Elements & Focus
| # | Zone | Core Focus | Element | Supportive Colors | Ideal Uses | Avoid / Caution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NNW (North of North-West) | Attraction, intimacy | Air + Water | Light creams, pastels | Guest lounge, soft seating | Aggressive reds; clutter |
| 2 | N (North) | Money, opportunities | Water | Blacks, deep blues | Cash locker, sales desk | Heavy fire (stove), toilets |
| 3 | NNE (North of North-East) | Health, immunity | Water + Earth | Light blue, white | Water purifier, wellness corner | Heavy storage |
| 4 | NE (North-East) | Clarity, spirituality | Water + Space | White, pale yellow | Puja/meditation, clean openness | Toilets, kitchen, clutter |
| 5 | ENE (East of North-East) | Recreation, fun | Air | Mint, sky blue | Study for kids, play nook | Overly heavy furniture |
| 6 | E (East) | Social ties, networking | Wood | Greens, teal | Main door, windows, living | Dark drapes blocking light |
| 7 | ESE (East of South-East) | Churning, anxiety | Air + Fire | Soft peach, cream | Light activity zone | Harsh reds; mirrors facing bed |
| 8 | SE (South-East) | Cash flow, fire | Fire | Coral, red accents | Kitchen, electricals | Water features |
| 9 | SSE (South of South-East) | Confidence, power | Fire + Earth | Terracotta, warm yellow | Gym, performance area | Overcooling blues/black |
| 10 | S (South) | Fame, recognition | Fire | Red, orange | Awards wall, lighting | Water tanks |
| 11 | SSW (South of South-West) | Expenditure, wastage | Fire − Earth balance | Muted earths | Laundry, waste mgmt (disciplined) | Cash locker |
| 12 | SW (South-West) | Relationships, skills | Earth | Beige, sand, peach | Master bedroom, safe | Water features, toilets |
| 13 | WSW (West of South-West) | Education, savings | Earth → Metal | Cream, pale yellow, white | Study, library, savings desk | Fire elements |
| 14 | W (West) | Gains, profits | Metal | White, metallics | Finished goods, accounts | Overwatering/blue dominance |
| 15 | WNW (West of North-West) | Detox, let-go | Metal + Air | Greys, white | Store to discard, minimalism | Sentimental hoarding |
| 16 | NW (North-West) | Support, banking | Air + Metal | White, grey | Guest room, alliances | Fire kitchens |
Tip: Start by optimizing NE (clarity), SE (cash/fire), SW (stability), and N (opportunities). These four move the needle fastest.
How to Map the 16 Zones in Your Home (Step-by-Step)
- Get your plan + compass. Print/draw your floor plan. A dedicated Vastu Compass helps with accuracy.
- Find the exact center (Brahmasthan). Draw diagonals corner-to-corner; their intersection is your center. Mark it on the plan and in the home (use a small tape cross).
- Stand at the center. Hold compass level; align to true North. Rotate the plan (not the compass) to match real-world North.
- Draw the 8 directions. Mark N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW as 45° sectors around the center.
- Split each in half. Bisect every 45° sector to create the 16 zones (22.5° each): NNW, N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW.
- Trace onto rooms. Note which rooms fall into which zone(s). Rooms spanning multiple zones should prioritize the zone where the majority of the room area lies.
Pro check If a toilet or kitchen sits in NE or SW respectively, flag for remedies. If cash locker is in N or SW, mark as a plus.
Balancing & Activating Each Zone (Colors • Objects • Activities)
Water-Dominant Zones (N, NNE, NE)
- Use: Blacks/blues, glass, gentle water symbols (paintings, bowls)
- Avoid: Aggressive fire (stoves), heavy red lighting
- Great for: Cash processes (N), wellness tools (NNE), puja/meditation (NE)
Fire-Dominant Zones (SE, SSE, S)
- Use: Warm lights, reds/oranges in accents, kitchen/electricals in SE
- Avoid: Water features, blues/black dominance
- Great for: Kitchen (SE), gym/performance (SSE), award wall/visibility (S)
Earth-Dominant Zones (SW, WSW)
- Use: Beiges/peach, square shapes, heavy & stable furniture
- Avoid: Toilets/water bodies; too much mirror
- Great for: Master bedroom/safe (SW), study & savings (WSW)
Metal/Air-Dominant Zones (W, WNW, NW, ENE, ESE, NNW)
- Use: Whites/greys, round forms (Metal), airflow & openness (Air)
- Avoid: Overuse of water blues; excessive reds in NW
- Great for: Profits (W), letting-go storage (WNW), guest/alliances (NW)
Common Layout Issues & Quick Remedies
| Issue | Impact | Quick Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet in NE | Blocks clarity/spiritual flow | Keep ultra-clean, pale colors, add copper/earth accents; place a small yantra outside door. See Vastu Remedies. |
| Kitchen in NW | Unstable fire → quarrels | Use white/grey palette; metal accents; control red. Add earth-toned mats for grounding. |
| Master bedroom in NE | Restless sleep, overthinking | Soften with warm lights, earth textiles; make NE lighter use (prayer/reading) and sleep zone further from NE wall. |
| Cash locker in SSW | Leakage/expenditure | Shift to SW or N if possible; else add earth-metal remedies; keep locker facing North with neat accounting. |
| Staircase in Center | Disturbs Brahmasthan | Declutter/brighten; neutral colors; mirror not facing stairs; enhance NE and SW to compensate. |
Color Guide by Zone (At-a-Glance)
N: black, deep blue NNE: white, light blue NE: ivory, pale yellow ENE: mint, sky E: greens/teal ESE: soft peach/cream SE: coral, warm red (accents) SSE: terracotta, warm sand S: red/orange (controlled) SSW: muted earths SW: beige/peach WSW: cream, pale yellow W: white, metallics WNW: grey/white NW: grey/white NNW: light creams, blush
Priority Actions (90-Minute Makeover)
- Declutter NE and Center. Clear floor + visual openness = immediate energy lift.
- Brighten East & North. Sheer curtains, clean windows, add a healthy plant in E; place work/wealth symbols in N.
- Tame Fire. Ensure kitchen is disciplined; remove water décor from SE; fix leaky taps (wealth drain).
- Anchor SW. Heavier bed/headboard, earthy textiles; move safe here if feasible.
Products to Help You Map & Balance
- Vastu Compass - accurate orientation for zone mapping.
- Vastu Books - deepen understanding with practical case studies.
- Vastu Remedies - yantras, crystals, and harmonizers for tough layouts.
FAQs
Q1. My room overlaps two zones - what should I follow?
Prioritize the zone that covers the larger area of the room. Use colors/objects of that dominant zone; keep the minority side neutral.
Q2. Can I fix a “wrong” zone without renovation?
Yes. Use color/textile tuning, lighting, furniture placement, and targeted tools (yantras, crystals, metals/earth). Most issues are solvable with non-demolition remedies.
Q3. How often should I review my zones?
Do a light monthly refresh (declutter + lighting) and a seasonal review (colors/plants). Re-map if you remodel walls or major furniture.
Conclusion: Make Your Home a Quiet Partner in Your Success
Mapping the 16 Vastu zones turns intuition into a clear plan. Start with the center and the four power zones (NE, SE, SW, N), then refine the rest with colors, elements, and usage. A few precise changes can turn your home into a stable, energizing ally for years to come.
Want guided help? Explore PlusValueIndia.com for compasses, remedies, and expert resources tailored to Indian homes.
