Vastu Shastra Appendix A – Dimension Cheat-Sheets & Room Checklists

How to use these sheets

  • Purpose: Give you fast, field-ready numbers that balance Vastu intent with real ergonomics.
  • Method: Read the quadrant cues first, then the sizes, then the checklist. Where Vastu preference conflicts with shell constraints, apply the mitigate not panic rule: fix light, air, seals, and sightlines.
  • Scale: Dimensions are typical for Indian homes and apartments; adjust for user height, climate, and codes.

Global dimensions & circulation

  • Main paths: 900–1200 mm; guest-friendly at 1100–1200 mm.
  • Minor paths: 700–900 mm (bed sides, behind chairs).
  • Door clear landing: 900–1000 mm inside major rooms.
  • Ceiling heights: 2700 mm ideal; 2400 mm minimum clear for retrofits; keep bulkheads away from window heads.
  • Alignment: Window heads aligned at 2100–2400 mm for clean elevations.
  • NE of rooms: Visually light; heavy storage to S/W walls within each room.

Doors & windows quick sizes

  • Main door: 950–1200 mm wide; 2100–2400 mm high; inward swing; three SS hinges; weather seals.
  • Interior doors: Bedrooms 820–900 mm; baths 750–820 mm.
  • Window sills: Living/bed 600–750 mm; kitchen 900–1050 mm over counter; bath privacy 1200 mm (use awning).
  • Openable area: ≥ 8–12% of room floor area for natural ventilation.
  • Orientation hints: East/North forgiving; West/South demand shading, low-E, and glare discipline.

Living room checklist

  • Quadrant: North/East ideal; West with shade; keep S/W storage heavier and NE light.
  • Sofa depth: 520–560 mm usable (600+ mm loungey with pillows).
  • Coffee gap: 450–500 mm sofa ↔ table.
  • Rug: 1600×2300 mm small sets; 2000×3000 mm generous; anchor front legs.
  • TV view distance: 1.5–2.5× diagonal; screen center ~1000–1100 mm AFF.
  • Light: Ambient 150–250 lux; task 300–500 lux; CRI ≥ 90; dimming mandatory.
  • Acoustics: Rug + curtains + bookcase; avoid hard echo boxes.
  • Glare: Sheers by day, blackout at night on bright frontages.

Dining checklist

  • Quadrant: East/NE adjacency for breakfasts; NW/North for evenings; avoid crowding house NE with heavy cupboards.
  • Heights: Table 740–760 mm; chair seat 430–480 mm.
  • Place width: 580–600 mm per setting (rectangular/oval).
  • Clearances: Chair-to-wall/service 900–1200 mm; table-to-sideboard 1000–1200 mm.
  • Pendant: 700–850 mm above tabletop; 2700–3000K; CRI ≥ 90; dimmable.

Kitchen & pantry checklist

  • Quadrant: SE ideal; East excellent; NW workable with strong vent; avoid exact NE for main kitchen if possible.
  • Counter: Height 860–910 mm; depth 600–650 mm (700+ mm for large appliances).
  • Aisles: 1000–1200 mm single cook; 1200–1500 mm two cooks.
  • Hood: 800–1200 m³/h with baffles; duct outside; minimize bends.
  • Sink: Toward North/East of the room; hot-left/cold-right; drain trap ≥ 50 mm seal.
  • Fridge: Landing counter adjacent; 50–100 mm rear/top ventilation.
  • Storage: Drawers beat doors; spice/oil pull-outs flanking hob; FIFO in pantry.
  • Safety: ABC extinguisher/fire blanket near exit; LPG ventilated; outlets on RCD.

Bedrooms checklist

  • Quadrant: Primary SW; guests NW; kids East/North; avoid exact NE for heavy beds.
  • Bed orientation: Head to South/East preferred; solid wall behind; no loud shared wall.
  • Clearances: Sides 650–800 mm; foot 750–900 mm; door swing 900–1000 mm clear.
  • Wardrobes: Depth 600–650 mm; on S/W walls; motion lights inside.
  • Light: Sheer + blackout; bedside dimming; motion night light at skirting.
  • Noise: Laminated glass; solid-core doors; drop seals if needed.

Bathrooms & powder rooms

  • Ventilation: Exhaust with timer; high awning where possible; transfer air gap under door or grille.
  • Wet/dry zoning: Shower behind a curb or linear drain; slope ~1:80–1:100 to drain.
  • Heights: WC seat 400–430 mm; counter 820–880 mm; mirror bottom 1000–1100 mm AFF.
  • Grab bars (elders): Horizontal 800–850 mm; vertical near shower entry; non-slip tiles (R11+).
  • Storage: Niches 100–120 mm deep in shower; sealed edges; no leaks behind tiles.

Pūjā / meditation corner

  • Quadrant: North-East of the home preferred or NE of a calm room; keep visually light and clean.
  • Altar height: 900–1050 mm top; seated platforms 350–450 mm.
  • Ventilation: Small operable window/exhaust for lamp smoke; metal tray under lamp; snuffer handy.
  • Sightline: Not directly facing a WC door; avoid crowding entry path.

Study/home office

  • Quadrant: East/North for focus and soft light; avoid heavy storage in NE of the room.
  • Desk: Height 720–750 mm; knee clearance 680–700 mm; depth 600–750 mm.
  • Chair: Seat 430–480 mm; lumbar support; feet flat; monitor eye height.
  • Lighting: 500–750 lux on desk; 300–400 lux ambient; 4000K day, 3000K night; glare-free camera lighting for calls.
  • Acoustics: Curtain + rug + bookshelf; door seals; mic away from fan draft.

Balconies, terraces & utility

  • Safety: Guard height 1050–1100 mm; no climbable horizontals; mesh for kids/pets.
  • Drainage: Slope outwards 1:100; threshold with linear drain at sliders; weep holes clear.
  • Clothes drying: Off main view if possible; retractable lines; airflow ensured.
  • Seating: East/North for mornings; West needs shade and heat control.

Stairs & ramps

  • Treads & risers: Tread 260–300 mm; riser 150–170 mm; consistent; nosing 20–30 mm max.
  • Width: 900–1100 mm typical; 1200+ mm feels gracious.
  • Headroom: 2100 mm minimum clear.
  • Handrail: 850–900 mm; continuous; returns at ends; second rail at 700 mm for kids optional.
  • Ramps: 1:12 slope preferred (1:10 max short runs); 1200–1500 mm wide; non-slip; handrails both sides.

Storage, laundry & cleaning

  • Mudroom: Bench 450–480 mm high; path 1000–1200 mm; shoe drawers ventilated; hooks at 1350–1500 mm (adults) and 1000–1100 mm (kids).
  • Laundry: Washer/dryer side-by-side 600+600 mm; counter above at 900 mm; sink 500–600 mm bowl; floor slope to drain.
  • Cleaning closet: Depth 600 mm; clips/rails; covered bin for rags; outlet for vacuum.
  • General storage: Heaviest on S/W walls of rooms; labeled bins; ladder storage hook.

Site & outdoors fast facts

  • Gate: Bias to North/East where possible; inside forecourt 3.0–4.5 m deep.
  • Parking bay: 2.5×5.0 m minimum; 2.7×5.4 m comfortable; EV conduit ready.
  • Drainage: Garden slope 1:100–1:150 away from house; French drains on vulnerable edges; threshold drains at garages/patios.
  • Water: UGT toward N/E of plot; OHT mass S/W roof; RWH pits on downpipes; mosquito-safe water features to N/E garden.
  • Trees: Large canopies 3–6 m off foundations; root barriers where tight; shade West/South façades.

Lighting, power & data

  • Color temps: Day zones 3000–4000K; night zones 2700–3000K; CRI ≥ 90 across home.
  • Lux targets: Living 150–250; dining pendant warm/dimmable; kitchen prep 500–750; study 500–750; bedroom night 50–150 (ambient) + 300 for reading.
  • Switching: Layered circuits; two-way in bedrooms and halls; master off near exits.
  • Power/data: Media wall gets multiple outlets + data; work desks get surge-protected strips; kitchen has dedicated circuits for heavy loads.

Acoustics & noise control

  • Street noise: Laminated or IGU glazing; airtight frames; seal gaps; curtains on double tracks.
  • Internal noise: Solid-core doors to bedrooms/baths; rugs; felt pads; soft-close hardware.
  • Mechanical: Quiet exhaust fans; isolate pumps/gensets; decouple subwoofers; ventilate AV cabinets.

Safety, accessibility & kids/elders

  • Thresholds: Bevel to <12 mm where possible; contrast strips at steps; non-slip floors in wet zones.
  • Guards: Balcony/low sill guards 1050–1100 mm; restrictors on upper windows; tempered/laminated glass where kids roam.
  • Fire: ABC extinguisher near kitchen and entry; blanket near cookline; LPG shut-off accessible.
  • Elders: Bed height 480–520 mm; grab bars in baths; night path lighting; seated shower option.
  • Pets: Low leash hook, washable mat zone, secure fence heights.

Maintenance rhythms (seasonal)

  • Monthly: Clean window/door gaskets and screens; wash hood filters; vacuum under sofas; check drain traps.
  • Quarterly: Inspect weather seals; tighten hinges; deep clean runners; rotate mattresses; purge pantry FIFO.
  • Pre-monsoon: Clear gutters/leaf guards; test threshold drains; seal balcony joints; service pumps/exhausts; stock pest screens.
  • Pre-winter: Check water heater; adjust lighting scenes earlier; service HVAC filters; inspect exterior cracks.
  • Annual: Safety drill for fire; LPG hose/regulator check; repaint high-wear walls; service inverter/genset; RWH pit cleanout.

Print tips & on-site use

  • One-page per room: Copy the sections you need into a sheet; carry a marker to tick items during walkthroughs.
  • Measure honestly: Clearances are wall-to-furniture in use, not drawings. Doors and drawers must open without shoulder wars.
  • Vastu vs. constraints: If orientation is fixed, double down on light, air, seals, and calm first views. Cleanliness and order beat superstition every single time.

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