Traditional vastu for office cabin layouts places the owner's or manager's cabin in the south-west of the office, with the chair in the south-west of the cabin itself. You face north or east, with a solid wall behind you, the desk in front and the door in view but never directly behind your back.

Why the south-west suits the person in charge

In Vastu Shastra the south-west, known as Nairutya, is governed by the Earth element. It is associated with weight, stability and steady authority, which is why it is traditionally reserved for the head of a household or a business. A leader seated in this zone is thought to make decisions from a grounded position rather than a reactive one.

If the south-west of your office is already taken, the south or west are the usual alternatives. The north-east, by contrast, is generally kept light and open, and is not considered a good place for the main cabin.

If you are planning a new cabin or moving desks and would like a view on your specific layout, you can send us your question with a quick sketch of the floor.

Vastu for office cabin seating: direction and support

Facing north or east

North is associated with opportunity and Kubera, east with the rising Sun and clarity. Facing either while you work is the most common Vastu recommendation for a decision-maker. Visitors then sit opposite, facing south or west.

A solid wall behind the chair

A wall behind you provides what Vastu and Feng Shui both describe as support. It is also simple psychology: people settle more easily when nothing can approach them from behind.

When the wall behind you is glass

Glass-partitioned cabins are common in modern UK offices. If your back faces a glass wall or a busy corridor, consider frosted film at seated height, a tall cabinet or bookcase behind the chair, a high-backed chair, or blinds that can be closed during focused work. A window behind the chair is treated the same way.

Seeing the door

You should be able to see the door without sitting directly in line with it. A diagonal view is ideal. Sitting with your back to the door is the arrangement Vastu most clearly advises against.

The desk itself

Shape. Square or rectangular desks are preferred; irregular or L-shaped desks are acceptable if the main working surface is regular.
Material. Solid wood is the traditional choice, reflecting steadiness.
Position. Not in the exact centre of the cabin, and never under an exposed beam or bulkhead.
Surface. Clear enough to work and meet on. Stacks of old papers on a leader's desk are read as unfinished business.
Visitors. Leave enough space in front of the desk for guests to sit comfortably, rather than squeezed against a wall.

Entry, storage and colour in the cabin

The cabin door

A door in the north or east wall of the cabin is traditionally favoured. It should open fully and smoothly into the room, without catching on furniture or needing to be propped.

Files and storage

Heavy cabinets and archives belong on the south or west walls. Keep the north-east corner of the cabin lighter: a plant, good light or a small, meaningful object works well.

Colour and light

Soft, warm neutrals such as cream, light yellow and pale green suit a cabin. Good daylight from the north or east is valued, with a desk lamp for evening work.

When you do not have a separate cabin

Many UK businesses, from accountancy practices to design studios, run on open-plan floors where the owner sits among the team. The same principles still apply at the scale of a single desk. Choose the desk in the south-west part of the floor, turn it so you face north or east, and put a tall cabinet or bookcase behind the chair if there is no wall. A rug, a different desk lamp or a small plant can mark your area without building a partition.

If you share a small office with one or two colleagues, avoid the seat directly in line with the entrance, which tends to become the unofficial reception desk. Hot-desking managers can simply favour the desks that match these directions when they are available.

Meeting rooms used as a temporary cabin

Some managers book a meeting room for focused work. Here, choose the seat with the wall behind you and the door in view, rather than the one nearest the screen.

How a workplace reading tailors these principles

General rules assume every leader and every office are the same. Our Energy at Workplace / New Workplace session goes further: it recognises that your workplace has its own horoscope, aligns it with your personal chart, and combines Vedic astrology with Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui to decide which adjustments matter most for you. The session is 45 minutes and held online, so it suits a busy diary. If you have recently stepped up into a management role, our article on a workplace energy reading for a new role covers that transition, and if a glass-walled cabin leaves you feeling exposed, see our piece on privacy concerns at work.

Frequently asked questions

What if my cabin is in the north-east of the office?

Keep the north-east of the cabin itself open, sit in its south-west corner facing north or east, and keep heavier storage to the south and west walls.

Is it wrong to sit facing south?

Vastu generally prefers north or east for the person in charge. If the room forces a south-facing seat, a solid wall behind you and a clear view of the door become even more important.

Do these ideas apply to a home office?

Yes. The same principles of direction, support and a clear desk work at home, adapted to the room you have.

Should there be a window in the cabin?

Windows on the north or east walls are welcome for daylight. A window directly behind your chair is less supportive, so use a blind or a cabinet to soften it.

To have your cabin read alongside your own chart, book an Energy at Workplace session or send us your question with a sketch and a photo of your desk. We will reply with how the session could help.