Festive decoration ideas for Indian homes

In India, the festive season begins in the month of October and November and most Indians look for unique ways to decorate their homes. The most popular décor ideas include the use of flowers, lights and rangolis, which are believed to invite good luck and prosperity according to Hindu traditions. People start by cleaning their homes a month before Diwali and engage in shopping for new clothes, gifts, etc. and decorating the house for the puja and celebrations with friends and family. In this article, we share some essential Hindu decorations for home and Diwali festivities.

Opt for handcrafted decorations

There are plenty of choices available in the market, in varying shapes, designs, materials, colour tones and placements. Palash Agrawal, founder and director at Vedas Exports, suggests that one can choose wall-mounted, classic T- shaped light holders in the design of a ‘mashaal’ (wooden torch in medieval design) or golden hued animal/bird-shaped T-holders designed like an elephant, horse or other such animals.

 

Image courtesy: Vedas Exports

Buying a new home duing the festive season? Check out these Vastu for new home tips

 

Also, one can opt for flower vases or pan-shaped T-lights or lamp holders. Indian handicraft makers specialise in creating ornate and intrinsic designs, with golden plating or screen work that can aesthetically diffuse the light in myriad ways. Contemporary designs include cylindrical, bottle-shaped or Arabian Surahi style light holders, which are bound to impress everyone with their finesse.

 

Image courtesy: Vedas Exports

These can be used as gifting options too. These elegant and classy gifts or home lighting options, for festivals like Dussehra and Diwali, will not burn a hole into your pocket with their cost.

 

Indian Diwali décor ideas for living room

Flower decorations

Floral decorations are an integral part of Indian Diwali home decorations. Opt for beautiful garlands of marigold or other flowers and use them to deck staircase railings, balcony railings, near Rangoli, etc.

Source: Pinterest

 

Diya decoration

According to Vastu and Hindu traditions, oil lamps are associated with Diwali decoration. Make sure to decorate the mandir at home with oil lamps. Incorporate flower decorations to elevate the ambience.

Source: Pinterest

 

Decorate the coffee table

You can organise the old, unused items in an interesting way for the festive decoration. Place sweets and savouries on the centre table along with candles, oil lamps, silver cutlery, table cloth, etc.

Source: Pinterest

 

Festive home décor for corners

Make sure to deck every corner of your house this festive season. There are many interesting ways to transform empty spaces in your living room such as decorative lampstands, plants with string lights wrapped around them, wall hangings, etc.

Source: Pinterest

 

Festive home décor for outdoor areas

Home entrance, balconies and patio can be decorated with diyas or fairy lights. If there are plants you can consider wrapping LED string lights around them. Make sure to adorn doorways with torans and rangoli designs on the floor.

Source: Pinterest

 

Home lighting options for the festive season

Fairy lights can be used in the living room. They can be placed along the windowsill or put up against the wall. Another great way to light up your home is with glowing candles. Candles make a great décor item.  All the better, if they are scented, as a wonderful aroma will engulf your space, says Jessica Fernandes, senior designer, Design Cafe.

 

 

Diyas can also add to the glamour of your home. Lighting a diya also has a deeper meaning attached to it. They are said to represent the transformation from darkness into the light. For Diwali, you can arrange diyas in a unique way and let them float in a bowl filled with water and pretty flower petals. If you have an unused large copper or ceramic bowl it is time to put it to use, by giving it a makeover with petals and diyas.

 

Image courtesy: Vedas Exports

Also check out the Griha Pravesh procedure and dates in 2021-22

 

Festive season colours for the home

Do you want to add a splash of colour to your home this Diwali? Are you fond of streamers and lanterns? Diwali is the best time of the year to display them in your living room. Fernandes suggests using handmade lanterns in green, purple-red and blue colours, neatly hung from a string, right across a wall, as a simple hack for the living room. From the centre of the ceiling, you can also install a beautiful handmade chandelier, made with different coloured crepe paper and shiny streamers that will add to the beautiful and colourful Diwali theme.

“Talking about colours, how can we miss out on the rangoli? Rangoli is an ancient Hindu floor art, where patterns are created using coloured rice, coloured sand and flower petals. This Diwali, create art of your own with a hand-drawn rangoli to depict a traditional floor mat. You can extend the theme of colours and patterns to your balcony by putting up plate art and origami, to bring out a festive vibe,” adds Fernandes.

 

 

Beginning from Navratri, people celebrate Dussehra, Karwa Chauth, Dhanteras, Bhaidooj and Diwali with great fervour. As you get set for the festive season, bring back the traditional by following these simple décor ideas.

 

Quick tips to decorate your home for Diwali 2023

• Deep cleaning your home is a must. Most households understand the significance. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in cleanliness. So, the cleaner your home, the better your chance of bringing in wealth and prosperity.
• Try introducing an accent wall. Accent walls are a highlight for your home. You can bring in a change to your existing décor by just highlighting a certain wall in your home with textured paint or wallpapers or even decal design stickers that match with the mood and theme of the overall room décor.
• Do some magic with lights! Yes, these are the easiest things to experiment with, especially with the various types that are available in the market today – tea lights, LED lights, lanterns, bulbs, fairy lights, etc.
• You could also try a change with your furnishing. Cushion covers, curtains, runners and bed sheets – these are simple things to change but bring a whole lot of difference.
• Flowers and fragrance can liven up the room. Add flowers to the décor and use aroma to capture the attention of everyone that visits you. Essential oils and potpourri are some common go-to items that are easily available, besides aromatherapy candles.

 

FAQ

What are some of the easily available gifting ideas for friends and family?

While many go with sweets and savouries, potted house plants and handicrafts are other gifts to consider. They fit well with the home décor in every house.

According to Vastu, which are the auspicious décor items?

You can consider plants, paintings of scenery and calm landscapes, mirrors, indoor fountains and lights. These add positivity and enhance the look of the house too.

Which are some of the décor items or household items that are inauspicious?

Broken clocks, negative imagery, cactus or such thorny plants, broken furniture, paintings of snakes, owls, vultures, bats, pigs, pigeons, crows and tigers - all of these are inauspicious as per Vastu.

How can I decorate my Diwali at home?

You can go for creative arrangement of diyas and flowers in your living room and other areas of your home.

How to decorate wall for Diwali?

You can opt for traditional wall hangings, paper candles, artwork or paintings, paper frills, etc. for decorating blank walls for Diwali. You can also consider installing new wall murals for the festive décor.

How to decorate wall in low budget?

Go for creative DIY wall hanging or artwork to design your house walls for Diwali.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]