Do’s And Don’ts While Placing Buddha Statues As Home Decor

There’s something quietly powerful about walking into a home and seeing a Buddha statue sitting in stillness—eyes lowered, presence grounded, as if the entire room has taken a deeper breath. But this isn’t just a matter of aesthetic charm. In our years curating spiritual art at Mystik River, we’ve seen how the placement of a Buddha statue can either elevate a space or quietly disrupt its energy without anyone quite realising why.

Increasingly, Australians are incorporating Eastern symbolism into their homes, often guided by an intuitive sense that these forms bring a sense of peace. That instinct isn’t wrong. But when it comes to placing a Buddha statue—especially one that holds deep spiritual meaning across cultures—it’s not enough to go by looks alone. Placement matters. Intention matters even more.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential guidelines for placing a Buddha statue, drawn from traditional Buddhist principles, Feng Shui, Vastu Shastra, and years of experience working with spiritual art collectors and practitioners in Melbourne. We’ll explore not only the dos and don’ts of Buddha décor but also why certain positions and locations resonate energetically—and which ones should be avoided entirely.

Do's For Displaying Buddha Statues That Attract Harmony And Respect

There’s an old saying in many Buddhist cultures: “Where the Buddha sits, peace follows.” But peace doesn’t just happen—it must be invited. And how we place a Buddha statue in our home sets the tone for whether that invitation is open or unwittingly shut.

Below are placement principles we’ve seen resonate both spiritually and energetically in Australian homes—whether you live in a suburban home in Bentleigh or a high-rise apartment in Docklands.

Always Elevate The Statue To Show Honour

The first and most overlooked rule: don’t place your Buddha on the floor. In Buddhist tradition, the floor is associated with rest, utility, and feet—the least respectful part of the body in many Asian cultures.

I once visited a client’s studio apartment in South Yarra. She had a beautifully detailed bronze Buddha—but it was sitting beside a shoe rack. “It’s close to the entrance,” she explained, “so it felt welcoming.” But being on the ground, next to footwear, the energy around it felt unsettled—more like a forgotten corner than a sacred one.

To create an intentional space:

• Use a pedestal, console table, or wall-mounted shelf
• Ensure the statue is at or above eye level when standing or seated
• If outdoors, raise the statue on a stone plinth or weatherproof timber base

This elevation isn’t about height for height’s sake—it’s a sign of reverence, just as we wouldn't place a family portrait or a memorial on the floor.

Choose The Right Direction For Positive Energy Flow

Both Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra offer centuries of guidance on directional energy, and here’s where tradition meets practicality. Your Buddha doesn’t just sit anywhere. Direction matters.

Ideal Directions for Different Energies

Note: While the West is typically avoided, it’s perfect for the Reclining Buddha, which represents the Buddha's final moments and the transition into enlightenment—a symbol of surrender, not stagnation.

If you’re in a small space, even subtle adjustments can make a big difference. In one Elwood apartment, we repositioned a tabletop Meditating Buddha from a south-facing windowsill to a north-east nook beside a bonsai. The owner reported feeling calmer in that corner “within days”.

Use Recommended Home Locations To Create Harmony

Your home has natural zones—just like the body. Some areas are better suited to spiritual focus than others.

Best Places to Place Buddha Statues in the Home

1. Entrance/Foyer

• Use a Protection or Blessing Buddha facing the door.
• Symbolises spiritual guardianship
• Best placed on a small shelf with soft lighting
  

2. Living Room

• Great for general harmony
• A Reclining or Laughing Buddha radiates peace here
• Buddha wall art works well, especially in minimalist spaces.
  

3. Meditation or Prayer Room (Pooja Room)

• Ideal for Dhyana Mudra or Earth-Touching Buddha
• Keep this space clutter-free
• Use floor cushions, incense, and low ambient lighting.
  

4. Study, Kids’ Room, or Home Office

• Choose Teaching or Meditating Buddha
• Promotes clarity, focus, and inner calm
• Place near bookshelves or writing desks (but not directly atop electronics)
  

5. Garden, Balcony, or Courtyard

• Opt for stone or granite statues, especially in Melbourne’s temperate climate.
• Position amidst greenery or near water features
• Face the statue towards the home or East

Outdoor Tip: Elevate statues on pavers or timber risers to avoid direct contact with wet soil. In colder months, you may want to seal porous stone to avoid water absorption during winter rains.

Enhance The Ambience Around The Statue

A statue on its own may radiate serenity, but adding elements that invite stillness can further elevate the experience.

Here's a simple ambience-building checklist we often recommend to clients:

Checklist: Creating a Calm Space Around Your Buddha

• Soft lighting (warm LED or beeswax candles)
• Natural backdrops—timber, linen, stone, or bamboo
• Fresh flowers (lotus or native Australian blooms like waratahs or banksias)
• A small water element (fountain or bowl)
• Fragrance—use incense, sandalwood, or lavender
• Avoid loud colours or flashy decor nearby.

Even something as simple as a handwoven mat under a tabletop statue can shift its energy from “shelf décor” to spiritual centrepiece.

Lead With Intention And Respect

This is perhaps the most important part—mindfulness. Your Buddha statue isn’t a mascot. It represents a being who gave up wealth and status to understand suffering and teach peace.

Treat it as such.

• Take a moment to pause near the statue each morning.
• Clean it with care—no harsh chemicals, just a soft cloth.
• Don’t position it flippantly or leave clutter around it.
• Avoid placing commercial or flashy objects near it
• When the intention is pure, the statue becomes more than a sculpture. It becomes a teacher in your home—a quiet one, perhaps, but no less powerful.

Treat The Statue As A Spiritual Anchor, Not Just A Decorative Accent

It’s easy to slip into trends. A Buddha statue on a shelf looks “Zen”, right? That’s what the catalogues say.

But here’s the catch: if a Buddha is placed purely for aesthetic value—sandwiched between trinkets, or next to an ashtray or remote—it loses meaning. Worse still, it may come across as cultural tokenism.

We’ve had gallery visitors admit, sheepishly, “We bought one from a garden centre, but honestly, we didn’t know what it stood for.” That’s okay—what matters is what you do next.

The Buddha, in whatever form, represents the path to liberation from suffering. His seated image is more than artistic—it’s a posture of intent, of presence. Whether you believe in the dharma or not, the statue deserves to be treated with the kind of sincerity you’d offer a family heirloom or personal shrine.

Ways to Honour the Statue Without Formal Rituals:

1. Pause nearby – Spend even 60 seconds in quiet near the statue each day.
2. Keep it clean – Wipe it gently with a soft cloth at least once a week.
3. Don’t multitask in its presence – If it’s near a workspace or lounge, create separation.
4. Avoid mockery or misuse – No dressing up, no humorous embellishments.
5. Keep it company – Pair it with a meaningful quote, stone, or token of your practice.

One family in Reservoir shared that they placed a small Meditating Buddha in their kitchen dining area—not ideal at first glance—but kept it on a separate cabinet, always adorned with fresh eucalyptus leaves from the backyard. “We see it every morning before school,” they said. “It reminds us to start the day slow, even if the world is rushing.”

And that’s the point. It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about quiet placement, thoughtful context, and allowing presence to take root.

Don’ts For Buddha Statues That Disrupt Energy Or Show Disrespect

Just as mindful placement of a Buddha statue can uplift the energy of a space, careless positioning can dull or disturb it. Some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen—especially in well-meaning households—stem not from irrelevance, but from misunderstanding. The problem is, when we treat sacred symbols like ornaments, we risk missing their deeper purpose entirely.

This section outlines common missteps to avoid, based on both tradition and experience. Think of these not as rules for perfection, but as invitations to realign your home with respect and presence.

Never Place Buddha Statues On The Ground Or Floor

This one often surprises people. In Australian homes, especially in modern interiors with open-plan layouts, it’s tempting to “anchor” décor directly on floor level—think pot plants, sculpture groupings, or floor cushions. But placing a Buddha statue directly on the floor (or carpet) is considered highly disrespectful in Buddhist cultures.

Why? Because the floor is where we walk, sit, and place everyday objects—shoes, bags, even rubbish bins. It’s associated with foot traffic and function, not reflection.

A real-world example:
A client in Carlton North had positioned a beautiful reclining Buddha on the floor beside her yoga mat. While the intention was pure, the position inadvertently conveyed a sense of subordination. After relocating the statue to a floating shelf above a woven mat, the energy shift was subtle but noticeable: “It changed the way I entered the room,” she told us. “It felt more like a space to pause.”

Avoid Bathrooms, Kitchens, And Utility Areas

These rooms are often functional, busy, and associated with less-than-pure energies in both Feng Shui and traditional Buddhist architecture. Kitchens carry the energy of fire and consumption; bathrooms are linked with cleansing, waste, and transience. Neither is ideal for spiritual icons.

Here’s a simple rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t meditate there, don’t place your Buddha statue there.

Places to avoid:

• Kitchen countertops or shelves
• Above the fridge or oven
• Laundry benches or cabinets
• Bathroom vanities or adjacent shelving

Even if space is tight, it’s best to create a cleaner buffer between sacred and functional zones. If your home has an open plan where the kitchen blends into the living room, opt for a visual divider—a bookshelf, screen, or vertical planter—that allows the statue to make its presence.

Be Cautious With Buddha Statues In Bedrooms

This one comes with nuance. Traditional teachings discourage placing Buddha statues in bedrooms, primarily because the bedroom is a space of rest, intimacy, and vulnerability—qualities that are not always compatible with sacred energy.

That said, we live in modern spaces. In Melbourne, where one-bedroom apartments and studio living are standard, many people have no choice but to place spiritual items in their sleeping space. So if you must place a Buddha statue in the bedroom, do it with care.

I recall working with a young artist in Fitzroy who shared a studio flat. Her only available space was in the bedroom. We helped her set up a small wall niche with a curtain she’d drawn during sleeping hours. “It’s not ideal,” she said, “but it feels intentional now—and that makes the difference.”

Don’t Place The Statue Near Electronics Or Heavy Appliances

Energetically speaking, the buzz of televisions, speakers, air conditioners, and power boards doesn’t sit well with sacred figures. The constant electromagnetic pulse disrupts the stillness associated with the Buddha’s presence.

Avoid placing Buddha statues:

• Beside or atop televisions
• On stereo cabinets or speaker stands
• Near Wi-Fi routers, power boards, or electrical fuse boxes
• Besides motorised appliances like dryers or fridges

If the only available space shares proximity with such devices, ensure there’s at least one buffer element—a tall plant, wooden panel, or dedicated niche—to absorb or redirect some of the active energy.

Never Place Buddha Statues Under Staircases Or Shoe Racks

Symbolically, placing a statue beneath a staircase can signify oppression or disrespect, as it puts the spiritual image below foot traffic and often in the shadows. Similarly, placing it near or under shoe racks aligns it with dirt, transit, and ground energy—none of which are ideal.

These areas also tend to gather clutter, dust, and forgotten items, which compounds the issue. It’s better to leave such spaces empty than to fill them with something sacred for the sake of symmetry or convenience.

Avoid Negative Or Incongruent Wall Adjacency

Walls matter. We once visited a home in Ivanhoe where the kitchen’s oven wall unknowingly backed a lovely wall-mounted Buddha painting. From the living room, it looked perfect. But energetically, it created conflict between fire (kitchen) and serenity (statue).

Tips for wall consideration:

• Avoid shared walls with bathrooms, laundries, or kitchens
• Do not mount Buddha art on a wall where loud appliances sit behind it
• If unsure, choose an internal wall that’s quiet, calm, and clean on both sides

Even drywall can act as a kind of conduit for energy. Think of the Buddha as a tuning fork—its placement should not carry echoes of heat, noise, or waste.

Don’t Treat The Buddha As Purely Decorative

We’ve seen it too often—Buddha heads on coffee tables, neon-painted Laughing Buddhas in bar areas, or statues placed between wine racks and abstract sculptures.

It’s essential to remember that the Buddha is not a mascot. These statues represent a man who spent years in meditation to understand the nature of suffering and how to free himself from it. Whether or not one practises Buddhism, this legacy deserves care.

If you’re unsure about a statue’s origin, style, or meaning, it’s okay to ask. Visit a local Buddhist centre or gallery. At Mystik River, we’ve often guided people in selecting a statue that aligns with their space, values, and understanding—not just their colour palette.

Mindfulness And Symbolism In Buddha Statue Placement

Not all Buddha statues are created with the same message in mind. Each posture, gesture, and facial expression represents a moment in the Buddha’s life or a quality he cultivated. Choosing the correct form—and placing it thoughtfully—can significantly enhance the atmosphere of a space, especially when it aligns with your values or intentions.

We've worked with homeowners across Melbourne who instinctively knew they wanted a Buddha statue, but didn't realise the symbolism of the posture mattered just as much as where they placed it.

Let’s explore what those symbols mean—and how they can serve your home in meaningful, intentional ways.

Understand The Mudras And Postures Before Choosing A Statue

In Buddhist art, mudras (hand gestures) and postures aren't decorative flourishes—they’re messages carved in silence. They serve as a kind of spiritual shorthand, offering visual cues to inner qualities such as focus, courage, or wisdom.

Below is a table that breaks down some of the most common statues and what they symbolise:

They had placed a Meditating Buddha in the kitchen, assuming its calm expression would soften the space. But that corner, flanked by a microwave and espresso machine, didn’t match the statue’s energy. Once we moved the piece into the home office and replaced it with a Laughing Buddha by the kitchen window, everything fell into place. The mood shifted. Guests even commented, without prompting, on how “lighter” the space felt.

Avoid Broken Or Damaged Buddha Statues

A chipped foot, a cracked nose, or faded paint might not seem like much—but in many Asian cultures, a broken spiritual image is considered energetically compromised. It may not invite misfortune, but it can certainly dilute the respectful energy of your home.

That said, life happens. Statues topple during moves, curious pets knock over altars, and kids bump shelves.

So, what do you do when a statue is damaged?

Options for Damaged Buddha Statues:

1. Repair it—carefully.
   If the break is clean and respectful restoration is possible (e.g., reattaching a hand), this can be a meditative act in itself. Avoid gluing with bright adhesives or painting over damage unless using traditional materials.
2. Retire it with respect.
   In many Buddhist countries, statues that can’t be fixed are either:
3. Buried in a clean place, wrapped in cloth
4. Immersed in flowing water, like a river or stream (not always practical in Australia—check with local councils if in doubt)
5. Returned to a temple, where they may be respectfully cared for or ritually decommissioned
6. Don't bin it.
   Never place a Buddha statue in the garbage. Even if broken, it still retains symbolic value and should be treated with care and respect accordingly.

A client from Castlemaine rang us once in distress after their toddler accidentally knocked a small wooden Buddha from a windowsill, cracking its base. They were unsure what to do. We recommended retiring it with a planting ceremony in their garden, wrapping it in cloth and placing it near a native grevillea shrub. Months later, they wrote back: “Now, every time we water the plant, it feels like we’re still in dialogue with that energy.”

In the end, placing a Buddha statue in your home isn’t about getting it “right” by someone else’s standards—it’s about being aware of your intention.

Are you placing it for peace? For beauty? For cultural connection or curiosity? All are valid starting points—so long as they’re anchored in respect.

If you feel uncertain, pause. Sit near the space before placing anything. See how it feels. A good space for a Buddha statue should invite stillness, not demand it.

And if in doubt? Reach out. Visit a Buddhist temple in your area, speak with a teacher, or drop by Mystik River. We’re always happy to talk about how spiritual art lives and breathes in modern Australian homes.