18 Amazing Vastu Tips For Staircase (Do’s and Don’ts)

The bridging gap between different floors in a building are the stairs. They ensure the continuity and cohesion of different parts of the house, thereby, maintaining the fluidity and the unity of the home. Stairs have also evolved from their humble beginnings to different designs and characters. So much so that they do not just cover their utility but also add to the aesthetics of the house.

Vastu and Its relevance to Stairs

Since Vastu, rightfully covers all the areas and aspects of the house, stairs are no exception. It is of importance to note here, that a staircase built randomly, could have imbalances and chaotic energies flowing throughout the house. Luckily, Vastu covers this area and makes sure that the staircase is aligned properly. A Vastu compliant staircase, therefore, aims to overcome all the negative impact it may have on the house and make sure, that the staircase maintains perfect harmony and balance between the areas it connects. Thus, a Vastu friendly staircase is the ideal space for the positive flowing energy to diffuse throughout our house.

The Ill effects of a Vastu non Compliant Staircase

A thorough Vastu analysis of a family going through grave health or monetary issues may reveal the non compliance to Vastu guidelines while building the staircase, as the primary cause. The construction of the staircase without keeping some of the basic Vastu principles in mind can cause a serious Vastu defect. The defects may include:

• Arguments, stress and property related disputes between family members. Unnecessary quarrels, misunderstanding and conflict may arise within the family.
• There may be a major loss in business, finance and may lead to unexpected expenditure and debt to the family concerned.
• May invite lethal diseases, blood related medical illnesses, breathing issues, general health problems.
• May attract recurrent accidents which may be major or minor.

Location: According to the Vastu Shastra the best location to construct a staircase is the south-west direction. The second best location if the first option is not viable is the south or west directions.

Do not build the staircase on the north east direction. On doing so it is believed to attract debt and financial loss to the head of the family. It generally drains the wealth of the family.

Vastu Shastra states that the centre of the house should be avoided while constructing the staircase as the centre of the house is believed to be the “Brahmastan”. “Brahmastan” is considered to be the domain of Lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe.  Building a staircase here can stunt the mental and financial growth of the people concerned. The staircase is advised to be built on the sides.

A staircase should never be placed over a prayer room, a kitchen, a toilet or a bathroom, though it can be built over a store room.

Alignment of the Staircase: The staircase should preferably be aligned in a straight line in terms of direction, for instance from north to south or from east to west. Turns can be placed as long as the general direction is as per the Vastu principles.

Directions while ascending and descending the Staircase: While walking up the stairs one must climb up towards the west or the south direction and while walking down the stairs one must climb down towards the east or the north direction.

Directions for an External Staircase: If there is a need to build an external staircase, build it in the south-east facing east, or the south-west facing west, or the north-west facing north or the south-west facing south.

Height: The height or distance between two steps in a staircase must not be too high or too low.  The staircase should not be too steep.

Corners: Though building of staircase in the north-west or south-east corner is acceptable, in certain cases building a staircase in the north-west or south-east direction due to lack of space may affect the health of the children in the family.

Colour: The staircase may be painted with light shades such as pastel yellow, pink or blue. However, Vastu strictly prohibits the use of colours such as red and black.

Shape: Square or rectangular staircase that bend at ninety degrees is advisable, whereas spiral, round or circular shapes are best avoided.

Number of steps: The number of steps in a staircase should sum up to an odd number and should never end with a zero, like 10 or 20.

The Do’s

1. Broken stairs must be attended to and repaired.
2. The staircase may be designed clockwise or anticlockwise depending on the zone they fall in.
3. A roof can be built at the top of the staircase, sloping towards the north or the east.
4. If possible, the Vastu advises to build a separate staircase such that it is not directly visible to the visitors.

The Don’ts

1. The Vastu suggests that the stairs should never start from or end in the kitchen, the prayer room or the store room.
2. Staircase should not be positioned right outside the entrance door as this is said to drain fortune and good luck for the family
3. The staircase should never encircle the house or the building in order to repel tragedy or any form of disaster
4. If there is a room present at the end of the staircase then living in that room should be avoided as it is said to cause serious health hazards.
5. Do not place any almirah, cash locker, cupboards or any valuable items under the staircase
6. Do not build a staircase in the south-west corner of the basement
7. Vastu strongly suggest that the first step of a staircase should never be round or circular
8. The same flight of stairs leading upstairs should never lead down to the basement
9. Never place shoes or shoe racks under the staircase, the desired place for these are outside the house.
10. Never place garbage, dustbin or clutter under the staircase to avoid negativity.
11. The staircase should be well lit and should never be dark.
12. Vastu advises against the placement of mirrors under the staircase.
13. Installing idols, pictures of Gods and Goddesses or paternal ancestors under the staircase is strictly avoided.
14. A wash basin should never be constructed under the staircase. If it is already built then one should make sure to build a false ceiling.

All these Vastu guidelines must be adhered to for a safe, beneficial and good looking staircase. Vastu therefore, maintains, that a staircase should not only connect the rooms and floors, but, also compliment the overall energy, good vibes and aesthetics of the house.