It is the time of the year again where the shops are awash with colour, sales are aplenty, roads are choc-o-bloc with shoppers and there is an air of celebration on the streets. Well, it is the festival season with Diwali and Christmas just around the corner. A time for ‘new beginnings, cheer and hope. And what better way to ring in the festivities than give your home a festive make over. After all, home is where the heart is and few experiences can be more joyful than setting up your home for the festival season. So, here are some ways you can style your home to reflect celebration and splendour.
Pic courtesy: Kurlon Homekomfort
A minimalistic and personal touch
As it is often said, a home is a reflection and extension of one’s personality and this is what makes each home unique. One of the latest trends this festive season is to add your personal touch and to keep your home decor as minimalistic as possible. Ditch the ostentatious for the elegant and choose subtle instead of superlative.
Bring in metal, the right kind of lighting and create your own, cosy corners for warm festive vibes. “The biggest trend is overall flexibility, being minimalistic and creating the ‘very me kind of look’ as opposed to bling. Home décor should be in sync with the owners’ personality and the interiors should reflect the mood of the season. Pastel colours, big bottles, old traditional copper pots for decorations are in vogue this season” says M S Kamath, VP Research & Development, Kurlon.
Simple things like adding a hint of gold, fresh flowers or indoor plants can go a long way in adding color to homes this festive season. Go in for a single statement piece like a chic lampshade or large traditional painting instead of multiple pieces. Create personalized little vignettes around the statement piece to accentuate the setting.
Creative and unique table setting is yet another aspect of festive home décor. “If you’re hosting a family gathering, pick up a few stunning platters to awe your guests with both your buffet spread and your stellar serve wear. Turn up the glam quotient at home with exotic assorted products lining your table and making a statement. Up the ante with fancy wine goblets that exude a regal charm and add an elegant centrepiece to the setup” says Arshi Mukri, Design Expert, Pepperfry.
Pocket friendly and practical
It is a misconception that you need to splurge in order to give your home a festive makeover. Recycled and upcycled products are a great option to avoid wasteful expenditure. Old decorations like torans can be revamped and reused by adding a few trinkets to make them look new. Buyer fewer candles and repaint your existing diyas instead of buying new ones. “A little natural lighting goes a long way in adding life to any space. Illuminate the nooks and corners of your home with budget friendly options such as floral scented candles in a variety of colours and add intricately carved metallic diyas to further add to the festive appeal. One can also create DIY lamps using discarded glass bottles and mason jars paired with fairy lights for a more colourful setup” says Mukri.
If you are looking to buy new furniture pieces go in for space saving and multifunctional pieces. “The new trend this season is also utilizing space by using multifunctional/shape shifting furniture which combines style with comfort and functionality. Shape shifting furniture also gives the illusion of a bigger space under proper lighting environment” adds Kamath. If you have older pieces, you can give them a new look by repair and re-polish. Vintage and heirloom pieces have a timeless quality and hence can never be out of vogue. “Vintage sofas, quirky chairs and rustic furniture are trending. Also, you can choose to customize products according to your budget and per your requirement in terms of quality, fabric and color palates.” says Parikshit Deshmukh, co-owner at Meuble India.
Eclectic and quirky accessories and ideas galore
The options available today are endless and there is plenty to choose from. Right from traditional candles to glass bottle lights, floating candles and paper lanterns called ‘kandils’, there are a variety of products available. If you are not a fan of store-bought items, try DIY or just re-assemble the existing stuff you have to create a new look. For instance, you can enliven your balcony space by placing a rug and some floral themed throw cushions and add fairy lights. Complete the look with beautiful rangolis on all 4 corners to curate a boho-glam look.
Use block prints and indigenous fabric for an ethnic look. Round up the look by throwing in cushions with zari embroidered or silken covers, oversized glass vases with fresh flowers, and runners in bold hues to further add a suave touch to the room. Always remember never to ‘over do’ for less is more and to strike an optimal balance is the key!
Wishing all my readers best wishes for the upcoming festive season! May it be a time for lots of happiness, cheer and good health:)
This article was originally published in Sakal times here.
