What Clients Want in a Pooja Room – And What Designers Recommend

A pooja room is more than just a spiritual corner, it’s a reflection of faith, tradition, and design sensibility. As interior designers, we often walk a fine line between client expectations and practical design execution. Whether it's the placement of the idol, choice of materials, or pooja room customization, homeowners come with unique visions. But what they want isn’t always what works best in the long run.

In this blog, we decode what clients typically seek in a pooja room

and how experienced designers balance those requests with functionality, vastu, and aesthetics.

Let's See What Most Clients Want for Their Pooja Room and What Designers Suggest

1. A Peaceful, Sacred Space

One of the most common client requirements for a pooja room is a calm and spiritual ambiance. For many Indian households, it’s a place of daily rituals, meditation, or festival celebrations like Ganesh Chaturthi or Diwali.

Designers Recommend:

While clients visualize peace, designers work on creating intentional serenity using:

• Warm lighting: Soft yellow LEDs or backlit CNC panels create a spiritual glow.

• Muted colors: Whites, beiges, and warm wood tones help keep the space grounded.

• Sound isolation: If possible, place the pooja unit away from busy zones like kitchens or bathrooms to ensure uninterrupted devotion.

Tip: If space is a constraint, a wall-mounted pooja unit with soft lighting can bring in the same tranquility even in compact apartments.

2. Traditional Design Elements

Clients often associate a pooja room with temple-like designs, arched doors, brass bells, intricate carvings, and idols on a raised pedestal. Especially in cities like Hyderabad, many prefer traditional wooden units with ornate finishes.

Designers Recommend:

A balance between tradition and minimalism is key. Here’s what experts suggest:

• Use CNC-cut doors for a blend of temple architecture and modern design.

• Opt for veneers or laminate finishes that resemble real wood but are easier to maintain.

• Include brass accessories (like diyas and bells) as accents rather than the main material, for longevity.

Did You Know? Many clients now prefer modular pooja units that can be relocated—ideal for rental homes or families who shift cities often.

3. Vastu-Compliant Layouts

Vastu Shastra plays a major role in Indian home interiors, especially when it comes to sacred spaces. Most clients request their pooja room be placed in the northeast corner or east-facing for daily rituals.

Designers Recommend:

Professional interior designers always try to honor vastu while being mindful of floor plans:

• In compact flats, vastu adjustments are made using directional idols and mirror placement.

• Movable pooja units allow flexibility in orientation without breaking vastu rules.

• Some designers incorporate jaali partitions to define a sacred zone in open layouts, maintaining both privacy and vastu alignment.

  
  

4. Ample Storage for Ritual Essentials

Homeowners often request closed storage in the pooja unit to keep items like oil, wicks, camphor, incense, prayer books, and seasonal idols organized and hidden.

Designers Recommend:

Here’s how professionals handle pooja room storage ideas:

• Drawers at the bottom of the unit to keep pooja samagri neatly tucked away.

• Slim shelves or hidden shutters behind carved panels to store extra diyas or puja plates.

• Push-to-open mechanisms for a clean, handle-free look that doesn’t clash with traditional aesthetics.

Pro Tip: Avoid storing unrelated items in the pooja cabinet, even if there’s extra space. Keep the area spiritually focused.

5. Easy Maintenance

One underrated client demand is low-maintenance design. Smoke from incense sticks or oil lamps can stain walls or ceilings if not planned well.

Designers Recommend:

• Use duco paint or laminates that are easy to clean and wipe down.

• Install a small chimney or exhaust fan if daily rituals involve oil lamps or camphor eliminating lots of smoke.

• Choose non-porous materials for the countertop or idol base (like quartz or granite) for durability and stain resistance.

  
  

6. Personalization and Sentiment

Every family has unique rituals or religious icons they follow—be it Krishna, Shiva, or Ganesha. Some clients want space for framed photos, while others look for a setup that reflects their regional culture or heritage.

Designers Recommend:

Customization is key here:

• Include niches or frames for multiple deities.

• Add a Palavelli canopy or brass elements for traditional Andhra or Tamil-style setups.

• Use etched glass, family mantras, or nameplates to make the space feel truly personal.

Creative Cue: Try integrating family heirlooms like old bells or silver pooja thalis to enhance emotional value.

Final Thoughts: Designing a Pooja Room That Works for You

Whether you live in a 1BHK or a luxury villa, your pooja room should reflect your values, daily habits, and the available space. Interior designers are not just here to make it beautiful—they’re here to make it sustainable, functional, and respectful of tradition.

By understanding pooja room requirements from both client and designer perspectives, you can create a spiritual corner that feels timeless, sacred, and deeply personal.

Let's Design Your Pooja Room

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the basic pooja room requirements?

• Calm location (preferably northeast)

• Proper ventilation and lighting

• Storage for essentials

• Fire-safe material

• Space for sitting or standing rituals

  
  

2. Can I have a pooja room in a modern home?

Absolutely! With CNC designs, floating shelves, hidden storage, and vastu-friendly layouts, pooja rooms can be integrated into even the most contemporary interiors.

3. How do I customize my pooja room?

Customization can include choice of deity, decorative elements like bells or garlands, inclusion of scriptures or slokas, and family-specific rituals.