Kitchen Vastu: Direction, Stove and Sink Placement

In Vastu, the kitchen is ruled by Agni, the fire element. Its position and arrangement are believed to affect the health and well-being of the whole family. For many Indian families, getting the kitchen right is one of the most important parts of planning a home.

Much of the traditional guidance also makes good design sense: the stove away from the sink, morning light on the counter and good ventilation. This guide sets out what Vastu recommends for the kitchen, alongside practical advice for modern Indian kitchens.

The best direction for the kitchen

The south-east of the home, called the Agneya corner, is the traditionally preferred direction for the kitchen, because it is associated with fire.

The north-west is the accepted alternative.

The north-east, the south-west and the centre of the home are traditionally avoided for the kitchen.

Which way to face while cooking

Vastu recommends facing east while cooking. Place the stove so the cook stands facing east, which usually means the stove is on the east side of the counter.

Facing north is considered acceptable by some traditions. Facing south or west while cooking is traditionally avoided.

Placing the stove

Place the stove in the south-east part of the kitchen.

Keep the stove a few inches away from the wall, not pushed into the corner.

Avoid placing the stove directly under a window, where wind can disturb the flame, or directly in line with the kitchen door.

Placing the sink

Water and fire are opposing elements, so Vastu advises keeping the sink and the stove apart. Place the sink in the north-east part of the kitchen.

Leave at least 2 feet of counter between the sink and the stove, which is also good practice for preparation space.

Avoid placing the sink and the stove directly opposite each other in a parallel kitchen, or directly next to each other.

Fridge, microwave and appliances

Place the fridge in the south-west, west or north-west of the kitchen. Avoid the north-east.

Place the microwave, oven and other heat appliances in the south-east part of the kitchen, near the stove.

Place the water purifier and drinking water in the north-east.

Storage

Place heavy storage for grains, vessels and appliances on the south and west walls.

Keep the north and east walls lighter, with open shelves or lower cabinets.

Store gas cylinders in the south-east.

Windows and ventilation

Vastu favours windows on the east, for morning light. A window on the east or north brings light onto the counter.

An exhaust fan or chimney should be placed on the east or south-east wall.

Good ventilation removes smoke and smells, which matters in Indian kitchens with daily tadka and frying.

Colours

Warm, bright colours are recommended: yellow, orange, light red, peach, cream and light brown. White and off-white also work. Black and very dark colours are traditionally avoided.

Flooring and counter

Light-coloured granite, quartz or marble counters suit a Vastu kitchen. Very dark black granite is avoided by some families.

Use light-coloured floor tiles.

The kitchen door

Vastu prefers the kitchen door in the east, north or west. Avoid a kitchen door that opens directly opposite the main door of the house, or directly opposite a toilet door.

Kitchen Vastu in Bangalore flats

In most flats the kitchen position is fixed. Families follow Vastu within the kitchen by placing the stove in its south-east part, the sink in the north-east, and heavy storage on the south and west.

If the kitchen is in the north-east of the flat, place the stove in the south-east part of the kitchen and keep the north-east corner light.

If the stove must face west because of the layout, some families add a small mirror or reposition the hob to allow facing east.

Common kitchen layouts and Vastu

In an L-shaped kitchen, run one arm of the counter along the east wall with the hob, and the other along the north wall with the sink. This places fire in the south-east and water in the north-east naturally.

In a parallel kitchen, put the hob on the east side and the sink on the opposite counter, offset so they are not directly across from each other.

In a straight kitchen along one wall, put the hob at the south end and the sink at the north end, with preparation space between them.

In an open kitchen, the same rules apply within the kitchen zone. Keep the hob away from the dining side, so the cook faces east and guests are not close to the flame.

Lighting and cleanliness

Vastu places great importance on a clean, bright kitchen. Plan under-cabinet lights over the counter, a bright ceiling light and a window or exhaust that keeps air moving.

Keep the counter clear of unused appliances, and store vessels and groceries in closed cabinets. A tidy kitchen is easier to cook in and easier to keep clean. Many families also keep the kitchen's north-east corner for drinking water, a small plant or a clean open shelf, and avoid storing waste bins there; place the bins in the south-west or west part of the kitchen instead.

Kitchen and toilet placement

Avoid a kitchen directly above or below a toilet or a pooja room, and avoid sharing a wall with a toilet. In flats, check the floor above and below if possible.

Practical design with Vastu

A modular kitchen makes it easy to follow Vastu. The counter layout, the position of the hob and sink, and the storage can all be planned together.

Plan electrical points, the chimney duct and the gas line with the Vastu layout, so they do not force the hob into the wrong position.