The core vastu tips for mandir in flat living are simple: place the shrine in the north-east of the flat, or of the main room, if you can; arrange it so you face east or north while praying; keep it raised off the floor and away from bathroom walls; and treat even a single shelf with the care of a full pooja room.

Why a flat changes the usual pooja room advice

Most Vastu guidance was written for houses with a separate prayer room. In a UK flat, especially in London, Leicester, Birmingham or Manchester where many South Asian families rent or buy compact homes, there is rarely a spare room to give over. Walls are shared with neighbours, the bathroom may sit in the middle of the plan, and tenancy agreements may limit what you can fix to the walls.

None of this rules out a home mandir. It simply means applying the principles room by room and choosing the best available spot rather than the ideal one. Many families find that a small, well-kept shrine brings a sense of anchor to a busy flat.

If your flat has an unusual layout and you are unsure where the mandir should go, you can send us your question with a simple floor sketch and the direction of the main windows.

Vastu tips for mandir in flat layouts: choosing the spot

North-east first

The north-east, called Ishanya, is associated with Jupiter and with spiritual clarity, which is why it is the classic place for worship. Look for the north-east of the whole flat first. If that corner is a bathroom or kitchen, look for the north-east of the living room instead.

East or north as alternatives

When the north-east is not practical, an east or north wall is the next choice. Morning light from the east is especially valued.

Open-plan flats

Newer flats often combine kitchen, dining and living in one room. Treat that room as a small home of its own and find its north-east corner. A low bookcase, a jaali screen or a plant can give the mandir a little privacy from the television and the cooking area without closing it off.

Places usually avoided

Against a wall shared with a bathroom or toilet, on either side.
Under a staircase, in a duplex or maisonette.
Directly facing the front door, where it is exposed to every arrival.
In the south or south-west, which Vastu associates more with earth and stability than with worship.
On the floor, or with shoes stored beneath it.

If the bedroom is the only option

In a studio or one-bedroom flat this is sometimes unavoidable. Choose the north-east of the bedroom, keep the shrine in a cabinet with doors or behind a curtain that can be closed at night, and avoid placing it at the foot of the bed or where your feet point towards it while sleeping.

Direction, height and what faces what

The most widely followed guidance is that you, the person praying, should face east or north. Depending on where the shrine stands, that means the deities face west or south; traditions vary on this, so follow your own family practice where it differs.

Height matters too. The images should sit at or above chest height when you are seated or standing to pray, never lower than your feet. A wall-mounted cabinet or a tall wooden stand usually achieves this in a flat.

Setting up a respectful shrine in a small space

Materials. Wood or marble are traditional. A simple wooden wall unit is often more fitting than a plastic shelf.
Size of images. Smaller murtis and pictures are usually recommended for homes.
Nothing above. Avoid storing bags, papers or clutter on top of the mandir.
Ancestors separately. Photographs of loved ones who have passed are traditionally kept on a different wall, not beside the deities.
Lamps and incense. Flats have smoke alarms and neighbours close by. Many families use a single diya under supervision, or an electric diya for everyday use. Never leave a flame burning unattended.
Daily care. Fresh flowers, a clean cloth and a few minutes of tidying keep the space feeling alive.

Renting? Freestanding cabinets and stands avoid drilling, and our article on a home energy reading for a rented space covers other landlord-friendly adjustments.

Bringing your own horoscope into the decision

The right spot for worship depends on more than the compass. In an Energy at Home / New Home session, I look at your flat's layout alongside the home's own horoscope and your personal Vedic chart, and combine Vastu Shastra with Feng Shui to find the most suitable place for worship in your particular space. The session lasts 45 minutes and is held online, so a floor sketch, a few photos and the direction of your windows are all you need. Where a single room has to hold prayer, work and rest, our piece on a multipurpose room may help. If you are setting up the mandir as part of moving in, our Magic of Lucky Dates & Times service can suggest an auspicious moment.

Frequently asked questions

Can the mandir be in the living room?

Yes. In most flats the north-east or east of the living room is the best available place. A cabinet with doors keeps it distinct from the social space.

Is a mandir in the kitchen acceptable?

Many families do this when space is tight, ideally in the kitchen's north-east corner and away from the hob. It is a compromise rather than a first choice.

What if the flat above has a bathroom over my mandir?

You cannot control your neighbours' layout. Focus on what is within your own walls: a clean, raised and cared-for shrine.

Can I pray facing south?

Most Vastu guidance avoids it and suggests east or north instead. If the room makes that difficult, a reading can look at the best compromise for your layout.

If you would like help choosing the right spot, book an Energy at Home session or send us your question with your floor sketch. We will reply with how we can help and what to share.