[Conference-Composition of Colours :December,2014] ISSN- 2350-0530

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of
RESEARCH –GRANTHAALAYAH
A knowledge Repository
Art

COLOURS IN INTERIOR DECORATION AND VAASTU

Dr. Rekha Sharma
Asst. Prof.-Home Science
Govt. Girls P.G. College, Ujjain
Colours are nothing but lights of different frequencies and wavelengths. Every colour is a kind of
radiation and so, colours used for walls do have a profound influence on people living in the space.
Important aspects such as decision-making, cheerfulness, calmness and vibrancy can be achieved
by the right use of colors. Vastu, which is based on principles of energies and radiations, gives
precise guidelines about use of colours depending on the directional aspect and usage pattern of
the room.
Colors according to Vaastu Shastra play an imperative role in bringing balance to our minds as
well as bodies and to stimulate our energy. Therefore colors in a Home, Office, Factory, and Shop
should be coordinated with the colors of respective planets and elements associated with different
[Link] have a huge impact on our lives. Colors possess the power to lift our mood, raise
our energy levels and increase our productivity. Vastu shastra prescribes certain floor and wall
colors for the home to promote prosperity, good health and well-being. Colour scheme is an
arrangement or pattern of colors or colored objects conceived of as forming an integrated whole
or a combination of colours that has been chosen for a particular room
The meaning of vastu is dwelling, which is the home for god and humans. Vastu shastra is based
on various energies that comes from atmosphere like solar energy from sun, cosmic energy, lunar
energy, thermal energy, magnetic energy, light energy, wind energy. These energies can be
balanced to enhance peace, prosperity and success. If a house is made according to these principles,
the inmates enjoy all the happiness in lifeAccording to Vastu Shastra, different colors have
different properties. It is by the aid of these properties that different colors can be chosen for
different rooms. In general, green is considered to drive away anxiety, yellow improves memory,
pink eases tension, and orange is good for the appetite.
Colors affect our body and mind very much. The purest and most thoughtful minds are those,
which love colours. Colors according to Vaastu Shastra play a vital role in bringing balance to our
minds as well as bodies and to stimulate our energy. Therefore colors in a Home, Office, Factory,
and Shop should be coordinated with the colors of respective planets and elements associated with
different directions .Our body absorbs colour energy through the vibration each colour gives off.
Through colour, we receive all the energies we need to maintain a healthy body, mind, and
soul. When something goes wrong or is out of balance, we can strengthen our energy centers
through the conscious use of colour. Healing by exposing a diseased body to the right coloured
light, is known as Colour Therapy, and was the first type of treatment therapy used by man. So
even in ancient times, colours played an important role in Vaastu Shastra.
In Vedic periods, all colours were obtained from vegetables and flowers. Though the options were
far less than what are available today, they were more permanent, soothing to the eye and more
natural in appearance. Most essential features of life and human energy is greatly affected by color.
As per Vastu brings prosperity, happiness and wealth.
In Nature, we see the following colors, namely Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and
Red (‘VIBGYOR’), which are important tools to study Vastu subject. Our Planets, ‘Kundalini

Http://[Link]©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [1-5]

 [Conference-Composition of Colours :December,2014] ISSN- 2350-0530

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of
RESEARCH –GRANTHAALAYAH
A knowledge Repository
Art

Chakras’ shows these seven colors. These seven rays are primeval formative forces of Nature.
Their presence and their combination indicate tangible information. A home that is built and
decorated.

VAASTU SHASTRA GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING COLOURS FOR A HOUSE

Zodiac Sign of the owner: In the first and most commonly followed method, the colour schemes
are selected in conformance with the raashi (constellation / zodiac sign) of the owner to bring good
luck and happiness.

Zodiac sign Colors suggested

Aries Coral red
Taurus Milky white
Gemini Green
Cancer Rose red, pearl white
Leo Ruby red, dim white
Virgo Emerald green
Libra Cement color, milky white
Scorpio Pink, coral red
Sagittarius Golden yellow
Capricorn Dim red
Aquarius Pink, blue
Pisces Yellow, pure white

Direction of the building: In the second method, the colour scheme is chosen according to the
direction the building/room faces. Each direction is associated with a particular colour, which is
actually the colour of the planet governing that direction.

East (Sun) – Brown

West (Saturn) - Grey
North (Mercury) – All greens
South (Mars) - Pink, coral red
North-East (Jupiter) - Golden yellow
South-West (Rahu) – Blue
South-East (Venus) - Silver white
North-West (Moon) – White

Colors can also be used based on directions. For instance, North- West rooms can be white, North
rooms can be in light hues of Green, West rooms can be grays, South- East rooms can be varied
colors, North-East rooms can be in shades and tones of Yellow like cream etc. and South rooms
can be in shades and hues of Red. Colors can be used in a variety of ways. We can paint our walls
with a range of colors.

Http://[Link]©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [1-5]

 [Conference-Composition of Colours :December,2014] ISSN- 2350-0530

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of
RESEARCH –GRANTHAALAYAH
A knowledge Repository
Art

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR COLOUR SHADES FOR ROOMS OF A HOUSE

Since blue is a cool shade and red is a warm colour, people often feel cold in a blue room and
warm in a red room. It is the colour that makes them feel that way. So when painting rooms of a
house, one must keep these points in mind and choose colours according to the amount of light
and warmth in the room. Accordingly;
Room with poor daylight: It should be painted with light colours.
Room with lot of natural light throughout the day: It can be painted in some deep color.
Room that gets direct sunlight: It is not advisable to paint the walls yellow or peach.
Room that has only a North window which admits cold light: Avoid the use of blue on the
walls.
Ceilings: It is preferable to paint ceilings white since the ceiling temperature should be less than
the human body temperature .

VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF ‘COLOUR CONTRASTS’ IN A HOUSE

Colour contrast is perhaps the most important factor in a composition or a design. Maximum
contrast is obtained by the use of colours of extremely strong chromes. For example, a strong
yellow on a black background is an excellent example of maximum visibility and is therefore used
all over the world to highlight road signs, dividers and taxis. Explained here are the contrasts
created by the use of different colours:
Black: Black makes colours both brighter and lighter in appearance. For example, in a painting, a
face against jet black hair, appears more luminous for this reason.
Grey surrounding an intense colour: can increase the apparent colorfulness of the intense colour.
It appears even brighter or brilliant.
Intense colour surrounding grey colour: can make the grey appear less grey and on the other
hand, the greying of the bright colors. For example, grey surrounded with yellow will appear
slightly blue. Grey surrounded by red, will appear slightly green etc.
Blending of colours: One must always bear in mind that no individual is completely white (good)
or black (bad), but is an amalgam of the two- Grey. A sensible good blending can create a forceful
creation.
We can wear clothes with colors of our preference; we can drink ‘solarized’ water in colored
glasses. We can use curtains, carpets and furniture with different colors of our liking. Study rooms
can be Green, kitchen and dining rooms can be Orange, meditation and prayer rooms can be white,
living and conference rooms can be cream and hues of Yellow, and bedrooms can be Blue. Parents
May perhaps, find rooms coloRed Blue for their children who tend to be aggressive. According to
Vastu Shastra, white is a good color to be used in the East and North-West. Towards the West,
Blue is beneficial. Green is recommended for North, pink and coral Red for South, different shades
of Green for North- East, different shades of brown for South-West and silver white is good for
South-East.

These colors portend well with the energy and radiations which flow in from the respective
directions and hence, play a crucial role in enhancing harmony and positivity at home. Similarly,
if a room has poor daylight, it should be painted in light color and if a room gets good amount of
natural light throughout the day, it can be painted in some deep color. If a room has only a North

Http://[Link]©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [1-5]

 [Conference-Composition of Colours :December,2014] ISSN- 2350-0530

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of
RESEARCH –GRANTHAALAYAH
A knowledge Repository
Art

window, which admits cold light, we should not use Blue on the walls. If a room gets much direct
sunlight, it is not advisable to paint the walls Yellow or peach. It is nearly better to have ceilings
white and the ceiling temperature should be less than the human body temperature. Some scholars
suggest different color to the direction the building faces. They are really the colors of the planets
governing these directions.

WALL COLORS FOR DIFFERENT ROOMS

1. Living Room- Yellow, blue, green, and beige are suitable colors for the living room as lighter
and brighter colors are preferred in spaces where guests are entertained. These colors promote
better relationships and an active environment.
2. Dining Room - Orange, peach, pink, green, and blue are the preferred colors for the dining
room. Orange is the most beneficial of all wall colors for dining as it is said to improve appetite.
Avoid black and all dull colors as it is a place for eating and digesting.
3. Kitchen - For the kitchen, white is the best color according to Vastu. As white is the color of
purity and cleanliness, it is the best of all floor and wall colors for cooking. The kitchen should
also have a dash of red to symbolise fire. It can be in the form of utensils or decorations. Blue can
also be used in kitchens.
4. Puja Room/ Meditation Room - The colors yellow, sandalwood, blue, red, and green are all
suitable for the meditation and Puja room. Yellow and sandalwood are the best followed by all the
others. These colors are preferred because more sober colors are said to promote concentration and
focus.
5. Bedroom - Pink, light green, light blue, and yellow can be used for painting the bedroom walls
as these colors create a tranquil environment and promote good sleep. Pink is one of the most
preferred Vastu colors for the bedroom. Yellow can be used for the elderly. Avoid dark blue and
red for all bedroom home interiors
6. Children’s Bedroom/Study Room - A child's room should be colored green as far as possible
as green is the best color for children’s activities like studying and sleeping. Blue can be used if
the child is aggressive.
7. Bathroom - White, black, white, grey and shades of pink can be used for the bathroom. White
is the best color followed by combinations of black, white and [Link] from these, Vastu also
stipulates certain laws on how to choose colors based on the house owner’s zodiac sign and the
direction or orientation of the house. It is always advisable to seek the help of Vastu consultants
before making any changes to your home.

REFERENCES

1 Anna Hong Rutt, (1969), Home Furnishing, Willey Eastern Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.
2 Chaudhary, Ramchandra,(2003), VastuShastra tatha Hum aur humara bhavan, Amit
Pocket Books, Jalandhar.
3 Interior Designing Handbook, 1994, Cheerman Ltd.,London.
4 Khandelwal, Bhavani.,(2001), Vastu Evam Pyramid, Sahityagar, Jaipur.
5 Lamba, Manoj Kumar.,(2004), Sampurna Vastushastra, Sahni Publications, Delhi.

Http://[Link]©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [1-5]

 [Conference-Composition of Colours :December,2014] ISSN- 2350-0530

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of
RESEARCH –GRANTHAALAYAH
A knowledge Repository
Art

6 Nagar, Dr. Bela., (2004), Housing, Space & Management, University Book House Pvt.
Ltd., Jaipur.
7 Nagar, Dr. Bela., (2005), Family Resourse Management and Interior Decoration,
University Book House Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur
8 Patni, Manju.,(1999), Aawas Grihsajja evam Gharelu Upakarn, Shiva Prakashan,
Indore .
9 Poori, Dr. Umesh., (2003), Vastukala aur Bhavan Nirman, 5th Edition, Randheer
Prakashan, Haridwar.
10 Tessi Agan, M. S., (1970), The House Its Plan and Use, Oxford IBH Publishing Co.,
New Delhi.
11 [Link].
12 [Link]
13 [Link].

improving the luck of a site and residence in which we live Following colours
are, therefore, proposed for improving ‘Vastu’ of a building.

 Purple – Purple, deep red, or plum is an equally auspicious colour. It is

said to inspire respect.
 Yellow – Yellow or gold stands for Power. Yellow gives a sense of
tolerance, patience, and wisdom gained from past experience.
 Green – Green represents Tranquility, Hope, and Freshness. In plants and
vegetation, green indicates good and healthy earth energies.
 Blue – Blue or indigo symbolizes Spring, New Growth, and Hope.
However, blue is also a cold, secondary and mourning colour.
 Blue – Green – Blue – green mint, or aqua are more Auspicious than
indigo as they are more closely aligned with the colours of nature and
spring. In general, vitality represents verdant youth.
 Black – On the positive side, black – or any dark colour – gives a feeling
of depth, both in mood and perspective. Yet black indicates a Lack of
Hope, and it may make us feel “Dark” low and Depressed.
 Gray – Gray is an ambiguous – or gray area. To some, gray, like a dismal
cloudy day, keynotes Frustration and Hopelessness .To other, it is
positive and signifies Balance and the Resolution.
 Brown – Brown gives us a heavy feeling, the colour can be used to create
a stable, established impression and a sense of the passage of time. It
symbolizes the Depth and Elegancy.
 TAN – Tan or caf represents a new, successful beginning. Out of seeming
Hopelessness, a new possibility arises.
 Orange – Orange, as a mixture of red and yellow and yellow, is
Auspicious and is imbued with the characteristics of Happiness and
Power.
 Pink – Pink represents Love and Pure Feelings, Joy, Happiness, and
Romance.

Peach – It is the colour representing Attraction and Love.

Note: This research paper is based on secondary data selected from following references on
internet.

Http://[Link]©International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH [1-5]