With Diwali around the corner, it’s again that time of the year when most people think about re-doing the decor of their houses — not only to add a festive feel but also to impress friends and neighbors
Give your living room a new look and you’ve pretty much fooled the world into think you’ve done up the whole house. If a paint job seems too tedious right now, just pick one prominent wall in your living room and paint it a bright, happy colour. You can also try textured paint to dress it up. This is enough to brighten up the entire space and give it an all new look. Once that is done, keep the wall decorations minimalistic and let the colour shine through.
Another easy cheat code into changing the look of your home in an instant is perfect lighting. Rethink the way your rooms light up and even the most ordinary home decor can look classy. Keep away from harsh white lights and pick mood lighting that complements the colour theme of your living room. Throw in a few candles, elegant lamp shades or even hanging paper lanterns, and your home will look like the work of a professional. Keeping the Diwali spirit in mind, you can invest in an exquisite urli in which you can arrange floating candles and flowers.
There’s no home decor issue that a good pair of curtains won’t solve. No matter what the theme and colour scheme of your home, you can’t go wrong with ethnic, earthy colours, especially in the festive season. A change in window and wall drapes can pep up the dullest of rooms. Stick to solid, soothing colours or if you are feeling adventurous, you can go for curtains with interesting motifs too that can prettify your living space in an instant.
What’s a home without a personal touch… that one element that tells the world who you are. Every living room should have one such object that is dear to you and gets the guests talking. It could either be your own painting or a prized work by your favorite artist. A collage of family photographs through the years or a family heirloom piece that you inherited from your grandmother. Those who love travelling can pick a perfect souvenir from their foreign trips to act as a centre-piece, while those who love reading can show off their book collection by arranging their reads in a quirky and interesting book shelf. All that matters is that it should make a statement and reflect your life and personality. And most of all, it can be the perfect conversation starter as guests are bound to ask you the story behind such mementos.
Buy the diya shaped candles and place them in different spots in your house (including the bathroom). These wax candles are easier to handle and not as expensive or messy as oil-lit lamps. On the day of Diwali you can light these candle diyas.
Light a dhoop or incense stick in every room. Alternately put some fresh flowers or buds like jasmines’ into a small cup of water or rose water. Your home will smell heavenly.
In a large earthen plate, pour water and arrange flower petals on them. In the middle of the floral arrangement, keep a lamp stand and light a lamp on it.
Make a big rangoli using colorful powders. For added beauty you can use rock salt for your rangoli. Mix the rock salt with the colorful powders and set them on the rangoli design and watch the handiwork come alive.
If you have potted plants in your home, decorate them with serial lights.
Candles
Candles are equally important, when it comes to the home décor for Diwali. Make use of aroma candles for the interiors of your home. Cylindrical candles can serve the purpose for your windowsill, balcony and staircase. At the entrance way, arrange an assortment of diyas and candles, to welcome the guests and Goddess Lakshmi.
Electric Lamps
While candles and diyas have a special place in the list of decorative items for Diwali, electric lamps have also gained popularity. Brighten up your rooms with the use of decorative chandeliers. Make use of lanterns for the backyard or lobby. You may hang string of colorful LED lights at the entranceway. Lamps come in various shapes and sizes. Buy a number of these to brighten up your home this Diwali.
Torans
This Diwali, decorate your home with torans (hangings). Make use of mango leaf toran for the main door of your home, because mango leaves are considered auspicious for the occasion. You may also hang ‘shubh laabh’ hangings at the door. You may use torans made of fresh flowers or garlands for the purpose. Door hangings adorned with bells or mirror would look good.
Flowers
Flowers are great embellishments. Spread the aroma of flowers in your home, by hanging garlands made of flowers. You may choose marigold, lilies, rose, jasmine or exotic flowers like orchid and carnations, to decorate your home for Diwali. Fill a flower vase with aromatic fresh cut flowers and place it at your living room table.
