Traditional vastu for study room set-ups turns a child's desk so they face east or north while working, with daylight from the front or side, a solid wall behind them and a clear surface in front. If there is no spare room, a carefully chosen bedroom corner can follow the same principles surprisingly well.

Why direction matters in vastu for a study room

Vastu Shastra links each compass direction with a presiding energy. East is the direction of sunrise and is associated with the Sun, clarity and fresh starts. North is associated with Mercury, the planet of learning, speech and quick thinking. The north-east corner, known as Ishanya, is linked with Jupiter, the planet of wisdom and teachers, and is considered the calmest and most sattvic part of a home.

That is why most Vastu guidance places study, reading and prayer towards the north-east of a house, and why the student is usually turned to face east or north. The idea is not that a direction does the homework, but that a well-placed, well-lit desk creates the settled atmosphere in which a young person can concentrate.

If you are setting up a space now and would like a second opinion on your particular rooms, you can send us your question with a quick sketch and the direction of the main window.

Where the desk goes and which way your child faces

Facing east or north

Place the desk so your child looks east or north while they work. East is linked with the rising Sun and a fresh, alert start; north is linked with Mercury and learning. Vastu treats both as supportive, so choose whichever fits the room.

A solid wall behind, not a door

Sitting with a door or walkway behind the chair makes most people feel watched and restless. Vastu prefers a solid wall or a tall bookcase behind the student, which gives a sense of support. If that is impossible, a high-backed chair helps.

Seeing the doorway

Ideally the child can see the door out of the corner of their eye without facing it directly. Being able to notice who comes in, without being distracted by the corridor, keeps the space feeling safe.

Light, colour and clutter

Natural light. Daylight from the east or north is valued in Vastu. Avoid placing the desk with a bright window directly behind the child, which casts their shadow over the page.
Lamp position. For a right-handed writer, a desk lamp on the left avoids shadows; for a left-handed writer, put it on the right.
Colour. Soft greens, pale yellows, cream and light blues are traditional choices. Very dark or intense shades are usually kept for accents.
Books and storage. Heavier shelves sit best on the south or west walls, keeping the north-east lighter and more open.
Clutter. A desk used for study, gaming, crafts and dumping school bags all at once sends mixed signals. Give each activity its own place and clear the surface at the end of the day.
Screens. Where possible, keep the games console and television out of the study zone, so the desk means one thing.

No separate study room? Using a bedroom corner

In most UK homes a dedicated study is a luxury. A child's bedroom, a box room or a corner of the dining room is far more common, and Vastu adapts well to that.

Choosing the corner

Look first at the north-east, north or east of the bedroom itself. Vastu can be applied room by room, so even if the bedroom sits in the south-west of the house, its own north-east corner is still the preferred study spot.

If the only available wall is south or west

Put the desk against that wall but turn it, or angle the chair, so your child faces east or north. If that is not possible, focus on what you can control: good light, a tidy surface, a wall behind them and a plant or a small picture that brings calm into view.

Keeping study and sleep apart

Try not to have the desk facing the bed, and avoid homework on the bed itself. A small rug, a bookcase used as a divider or even a curtain can give the study corner its own identity. At night, closing a laptop and clearing the desk helps the room switch back to rest. Our article on a multipurpose room explores this balance in more depth, and parents working from home may also find the home office energy reading useful for their own desk.

Tailoring the study space to your family

Two children in the same house can need quite different set-ups. In an Energy at Home / New Home session, I look at the home's own horoscope alongside your personal Vedic chart, and combine Vastu Shastra with Feng Shui to decide which adjustments matter most for your household. If you would like a child's birth details considered as well, mention it when you get in touch. The 45-minute session runs online, so a floor plan, photos of the room and the compass direction of its window are enough to begin.

Vastu is a way of arranging space thoughtfully. It sits alongside, not in place of, good routines, rest and the support of teachers.

Frequently asked questions

Which direction should a child face while studying?

East or north is the traditional recommendation in Vastu. If neither works, prioritise a solid wall behind the chair and good light over the exact compass point.

Can the study desk face a window?

Yes, especially an east or north window, as long as the view is not so busy that it distracts. A light blind can soften strong glare.

Is it all right for teenagers to study on the bed?

Vastu generally discourages it, because the bed is meant for rest. A small desk, even a fold-down one, keeps study and sleep separate.

If you would like your child's study space looked at properly, book an Energy at Home session or send us your question with a photo and floor sketch. We will explain how a session could help and what to prepare.