Vastu for the Main Door — Direction, Design and Common Mistakes

According to the Vastu Shastra, the main door is seen as the entrance of choice for the residents of the house, through which people gain entry into the building. Given its important position as the first point of contact, it gets more importance than most other parts of the house. It is thought to make the surroundings welcoming and to enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the house at the same time.

From the functional perspective, the entrance is also known to have an impact on the day-to-day life of people. A well-designed entrance can provide convenience and safety to the occupants along with making the surroundings more impressive.

The entrance can become one of many factors to consider while purchasing a house. However, it must be taken along with others such as layout of the rooms, quality of construction, lighting, and location.

Among the most frequently asked queries by people about buying houses is if a particular door direction is better than others. As per Vastu guidelines, various directions stand for various traits. But what is equally important is the actual placement of the door and its function in relation to the whole layout of the house.

North-Facing Main Door

North-facing entrances are usually viewed as beneficial under Vastu guidelines. North-facing entrances are usually chosen in houses where there is sufficient sunlight and easy access. The location of the door on the north wall is more crucial than the mere presence of a north-facing entrance.

East-Facing Main Door

Doorways facing the east are another popular choice as they allow for early sunlight exposure. This is an appealing factor for many purchasers as they are able to have a brighter entrance way to their home.

South- and West-Facing Main Doors

There are many misconceptions regarding south and west facing doors. In fact, these orientations cannot be taken to be bad by default. Good planning and ventilation in a house and correct orientation of the entrance can enable a house to work as efficiently as any other house facing other orientations.

While buying a property, besides considering the orientation of the entrance, one must consider the layout and quality of the house as well.

Besides direction, there are several other things that make up for good Vastu. Good entrance design, not only due to its significance in Vastu but also because of security, functional reasons, and the visual appeal of the home. Given that the main door is always being used, some minor changes will have an effect on convenience and the impression of people visiting you.

Here are a few of the most widely followed Vastu guidelines:

• Use a strong main door of high-quality material.
• Make sure that the door doesn’t jam or squeak when opening it.
• The entrance should be clean, spacious, and illuminated during the daytime as well as nighttime.
• Place a neat and well-kept name plate at your entrance for better welcoming.
• Have proper lighting near your main door entrance.
• A threshold is preferred where possible as part of your entrance.
• Check locks, door handles, hinges, and the finishing of your door regularly.

An entrance that is properly maintained can also provide added value in terms of function. As per tips from the real estate sector, the exterior and entrance of a building are some of the first things to make an impact on a buyer's impression during property inspections. A good looking and well-maintained entrance helps create a good impression, hence the need for maintenance just like the orientation of the entrance.

• Install proper lighting in front of the entrance to provide visibility and security.
• Always incorporate a threshold whenever possible.
• Conduct a routine check-up of the lock, handle, hinges, and finish of the entrance door.

In most cases, people are concerned about the position of their entrance door but forget to pay attention to everyday problems that could either spoil the performance or even the visual appearance of the entrance itself. However, maintenance sometimes matters more than any expensive alterations.

Here are some of the typical mistakes that people make:

• Leaving shoes, boxes, or other things near the entrance.
• Inadequate lighting that makes the entrance unattractive or even dangerous.
• Faulty doors, broken handles, and squeaky hinges.
• Cluttering the entrance with furniture or decorations.
• Lack of maintenance and cleaning.
• Damaged name plates or lack thereof.

These problems are not difficult to solve and could considerably help with improving the entrance without having to make any changes to the structure. An organized, lighted and clutter-free doorway provides much better visual perception as well as adds to everyday comfort. As the entrance is the first thing that visitors see when entering the house, proper maintenance of it adds to its overall attractiveness.

The implementation of Vastu may differ according to the kind of house. The people living in apartments do not have much freedom in making structural changes, but the residents who live independently may have more freedom in designing their entrances.

Apartment Entrances

In cases where one is living in an apartment, the orientation of the entrance door has already been determined at the time of construction of the house. This means that those living in apartments have no option other than to enhance their entry by making sure that it is clean, well-lit, and in good condition.

Independent Homes

The owners of individual properties are at liberty to choose how to plan or remodel the entrance. This may include thinking about positioning of the main door, gates of the property, path, lighting, and landscaping of the building. Even if the building is already erected, it is still vital to keep the entrance clean and tidy. No matter what kind of the property, its maintenance and design may be more valuable than the direction of the entrance.

Yes. Homeowners tend to think that implementing Vastu requires renovations, but there are many suggestions that can be made after purchasing the property without changing its structure.

Improvements that don't require structural changes can be:

• Keeping the entrance clean.
• Making sure that the main door is properly lit even at night time.
• Repairing any damages to doors, locks, or squeaky hinges.
• Getting and updating a clear nameplate for the door.
• Taking care of the entrance by maintaining its cleanliness and painting if necessary.

But in terms of structural changes, the direction or placement of the main door cannot be easily altered, especially in apartments. Rather than spending money on complicated renovations, homeowners should make improvements that will help in making the entrance better looking, more functional, and maintained.

A well-kept entrance is not only compliant with Vastu practices but will also help with making a better impression.

There are quite a number of fallacies regarding main door Vastu that may prove to be misleading for the homebuyer. It is therefore essential to have an understanding of what is a fact and what is not when it comes to Vastu Shastra.

1. Fallacy: All South-Facing Main Doors Are Unlucky

South-facing entrance is not necessarily unlucky. The plan of the whole house, door placement, ventilation, and design matter equally.

2. Fallacy: The Entire Main Door Must Be Changed Post-Purchase

Replacing the whole door post-purchase is not necessary in all situations. Lighting, maintenance, and cleanliness of the entrance are enough to deal with the problem.

3. Fallacy: Main Door Vastu Is The Only Factor Of Prosperity

The entrance is not the only factor that defines Vastu. Other considerations include the overall floor plan, ventilation, natural light, and maintenance of the home.

4. Fallacy: Vastu Should Substitute All Practical Home Considerations

Vastu should supplement and not substitute such considerations as legalities, construction quality, location, and connectivity. Good location and construction quality will always be a much safer choice than Vastu alone.

When you consider Vastu to be an integral aspect of life, then include it in the list of criteria when you are purchasing a home rather than making it the only one. You can expect a house that strikes a balance between what you like regarding Vastu and other practical things.

While selecting your property, look out for the following things:

• Direction and positioning of the main door so that it matches with your preference of Vastu.
• Light and ventilation around the entrance of your home so that it gives brightness and comfort while living there.
• Condition of the main door, locks, hinges, and fittings so that you will not have to spend on immediate repairs.
• Clear access to the entrance so that it becomes convenient and easy.
• General floor plan and layout of rooms for ensuring that it is suitable for your family.
• Better construction quality and builder name as they matter more than Vastu alone.
• Property documents and approvals to avoid any future legal and financing issues.

Thus, do not make the mistake of selecting your house just based on the direction of the entrance.

Vastu for the main door can play an effective role in choosing or designing the house; however, this should work in harmony with practical issues like location, build quality, permissions, connectivity, and functionality. Although the aspect of the entrance plays a key role in the minds of most buyers, keeping the entrance area clean and well lit also carries great significance and is mostly possible without making any drastic changes in the structure of the property.

In case you wish to find a property which fulfills your Vastu needs as well as practical considerations related to the living style and needs, Homefleet can be of great assistance to you. The team at Homefleet provides you access to genuine listings from all over Hyderabad.