This paper addresses a conceptual problem in the analysis of domestic space. The small corpus of anthropological writing on the subject analyses 'the house' in terms of the meaning of principles for classifying internal space; these writes treat 'the house' as a world in itself and therefore separate to power structures. Data from Goa, on the other hand, shows that this is not the whole story, for meaning s associated with divisions of space are ideologically constituted. Domestic space, therefore, should be approached as an integral part of the distribution of power. An approach to space as ideology is thus required.