East

Both are auspicious — they govern slightly different domains. North is the wealth direction (money, business). East is the health-and-fame direction (vitality, social standing, children's development). For a businessperson, North-facing has a slight edge. For a family, especially with children, East-facing is often equal or preferable. Both vastly outperform South-facing or West-facing in terms of natural energetic alignment.

It's a significant Vastu defect. Sunlight from the East is the day's first prana-charging influence — a windowless East cuts the family off from this. Symptoms: sluggish mornings, family members feeling tired despite enough sleep, recurrent minor illnesses. Remedy: install a window if at all possible (even a small ventilator-sized one); if not possible, place a large mirror on the East wall to reflect light from elsewhere, hang a sun image, and ensure morning lights in this zone are always bright in the early hours.

Both are excellent. North-East (Ishaan / Eshanya) is the IDEAL — it's the most sacred direction in Vastu, ruled by Shiva. East is the secondary best. If your home doesn't allow either, the second floor's North-East corner is a workable alternative. Avoid: pooja room above a toilet, below a staircase, or in the South / South-West (negates the deity's energy).