Popular Vastu favours balconies on the north, east or north-east of a home and suggests keeping them open, light and green. That is a modern preference. The classical texts we read describe courtyards, verandas and gates, but not the small projecting balcony of a modern flat, so no verse gives it a direction. For most readers the useful question is what to do with the balcony they already have, and that has a clear and sensible answer.
What the texts say
The Brihat Samhita’s chapter on houses is concerned with the plot, the gate, trees, wells and the central squares, and it does not mention a balcony. Acharya’s summary of the Manasara deals with buildings of several storeys, though the summary we read does not name a balcony or give its direction.
The old idea that does apply is the value of an open centre and a bright, open north-east. A balcony lets light and air into a flat, and in the north or east it does that at the time of day when the sun is gentle. That is probably the true logic behind the modern preference: morning light is pleasant and afternoon western light is hot.
The popular chart
| Suggestion | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Balcony on the north, east or north-east | Modern | Morning light, open view |
| Keep it uncluttered | Modern, with a classical echo | The tradition values clean, open space |
| Plants in the north or east, heavy pots in the south-west | Modern | Weight to the steady corner |
| Wind chimes in the north-west or west | Modern | A popular object, not found in the texts |
| Do not use as a store or for old furniture | Modern | Practical and safe |
| Dry clothes in the south or west | Modern | Where the sun is strongest |
| A swing or seating in the north-west or west | Modern | A place to rest |
None of these is a classical rule. The plant and wind chime suggestions are common in popular Vastu, and the latter may have been borrowed from elsewhere. We do not recommend any product.
Putting a balcony to good use
A balcony is a small outdoor room, and a few choices give it the most value.
- A place to sit. Two chairs and a small table; a bench with storage underneath is neat.
- A few plants. Pots along the railing, and a larger plant in one corner. See plants and the garden for which trees the texts discuss and which advice is modern.
- Clothes drying. A foldable rack or a retractable line, set to the side that gets sun. Do not let washing hang over the railing for a street to see, which is a matter of courtesy and also of safety.
- A bird bowl. Water in a shallow dish in summer, kept clean.
- Light. A small lamp for the evening.
A balcony in a south or west flat gets afternoon heat. Shade with blinds or a screen, and place heat-loving plants there.
Safety
Safety matters more than any direction. Check that the railing is firm and high enough, that children cannot climb on a chair or pot, and that heavy pots are not left on the edge. In a rented home, ask about waterproofing and drainage; a blocked drain turns a balcony into a pool in the monsoon. Keep the floor outlet clear of leaves.
Enclosing or converting a balcony
Many people close a balcony to extend a room. From a Vastu point of view, a modern guide may say the balcony in the north or east should stay open. The texts we read do not address it. A balcony that has been enclosed can still receive light through glass; in a flat the decision may also be governed by building rules and society permission, so check those first. If the balcony is next to a living room, as described on the living room page, the glass can bring the garden into the room.
Balcony and the main door
A balcony visible from the entrance is sometimes preferred because it brings light to the door. The Brihat Samhita warns against obstructions directly opposite the gate (53.76), meaning a road, tree, well or pillar, but that verse is about the gate and not about a balcony. Do not stack things between the door and the light.
What cannot be changed, and what helps
You cannot move a balcony, and no classical verse asks you to. If your balcony faces south or west:
- Use light curtains or bamboo blinds and keep the space tidy.
- Place a plant and a seat to make it a pleasant spot in the evening, when the heat has dropped.
- Keep the door to it closed in the hot afternoon.
- If you want to follow the modern chart, put the lightest items on the north or east side and the heavier ones on the south and west.
The apartments page discusses how much of the plan is out of your hands in a flat, and remedies without demolition describes the gentle approach to a layout that does not match. The windows and ventilation page is a useful companion when a balcony is the main source of air.
Frequently asked questions
↳ Which direction is best for a balcony in Vastu?
Modern guides prefer the north, east or north-east. The classical texts we read do not mention balconies. The practical gain is gentle morning light, which is what those directions give.
↳ Can I keep a south-facing balcony?
Yes. It is a common situation and no verse we read forbids it. Use shade, keep the space tidy and heavy pots on the south and west edges if you wish to follow the popular chart.
↳ Where should I dry clothes on the balcony?
Popular guides suggest the south or west side, where the sun is strongest, and that is practical as well. Keep washing from hanging over the railing and out of sight of the entrance.
↳ Is it fine to close the balcony with glass?
The texts we read do not address this. A modern guide may prefer the north or east balcony open. Check your society rules and waterproofing first, and the room still gets daylight through glass.
Sources
- Varahamihira, Brihat Samhita, chapter 53, verse 76, in the English translations of Iyer and Sastri.
- Prasanna Kumar Acharya, Summary of the Manasara, for buildings of several storeys.
- Direction, plant and wind chime rules are modern teaching and are not traced to a verse in the texts read for this site.