JOIN USThe monsoon is romantic and unpredictable. Dark skies and showers overlook while we enjoy hot tea and coffee in our balconies and terraces. For some of us, it is just the right time to pen down poetry. However, for home decor, the season can be little tough. It can invite trouble if we don’t take enough precautions. All that you need to do is to make certain changes in home interiors. Small steps can keep your home monsoon friendly. Let us look into the necessary steps:
Prepare to welcome the showers
In order to enjoy the rains, make sure you have placed doormats at every entrance and raincoat hangers. Do not let people enter the house in wet jackets. Assign a corner for umbrellas as well. You can keep a tall basket for umbrellas so that your entrance doesn’t look untidy. Avoid taking your footwear inside your rooms and restrict them at the entrance. This will help in keeping the dampness and dirt outside your abode.
Lighting is crucial
First and foremost, try to get in a lot of natural light. Light, cross-ventilation and fresh air is necessary to reduce the humidity level. Secondly, make sure that the house is well-lit. Yellow lights look better and render warmth. This is the time to change your lampshades, if you can. You get lampshades of varying types; choose the ones which gel with your decor and soon you will realise, how it can dramatically change the appeal of a room.
Play with colours
Bright colours can change the overall look. So bring in cheer by replacing mute dull colours with nice oranges, rust, pinks and lilacs. Dull grey, white and blue can be chosen after monsoons. Let the furnishings, curtains and cushions be in vibrant hues. It will not only brighten up the space, but also perk up your mood.
Be one with nature
This is the time to bring in your plants and place them nicely in various corners of the house. Also, from time to time, buy fresh flowers in bright colours. Take out your collection of vases and decorate them with a bunch of flowers.
Trendy wallpapers
Wall papers are a huge trend these days. In monsoons, they serve the dual purpose of bringing in cheer as well as hiding seepage points on the walls. It is not difficult to install wallpapers; go for vinyl-based wallpapers in cheerful colours and patterns. They are very easy to maintain as they just need to be wiped with a wet cloth on a regular basis. Wallpapers come handy as they are also economical, have a long life, are washable, available in eco-friendly materials and are hygienic compared to other wall paints.
Rugs over carpets
It is a good idea to roll up the woollen carpets and replace them with light cotton rugs. Also, rugs need to be vacuumed regularly and shown some natural light so that the moisture does not seep into the fibres. If you can’t do without carpets, then look for moisture-resistant acrylic ones as they are easy to manage in damp weather.
Light spunky fabric
Silk or woollen furnishings are a big no. Go for fabrics in polyester and nylon as they are easy to maintain in damp weather. Also it’s time for the heavy blinds and curtains to be replaced with some bright and light cotton drapes. They will make your decor look pretty and bright.
Accessorise your home
Pick up a nice wind chime during your travels, hang it in your balcony and let its gentle sound soothe your mind when the breeze comes in. If you don’t find one, now is the time to get creative and design and make one for yourself according to your taste. Another accessory which does wonders in monsoons is a pretty diffuser. Various kinds of diffusers are available these days, choose three or four, light them up and add lemongrass oil. They not only enhance the aroma of the interiors, but also help in keeping insects away.
Besides diffusers, aromatic candles are a great way to keep your home fragrant. You can make a nice collection of candles since you get them in such wonderful designs and colours. Above all, place camphor in your cupboards; it takes away the moisture and protects your clothes. Neem leaves and cloves are said to have an equally effective remedy. So try out natural ways to safeguard your home and enjoy the showers.
Samira Chopra, creative head at Casa Colour has some tips for you:
*Jute mats work: It is time to push your posh soft doormats away and use mats made of jute coir. These mats are pocket-friendly and hide all forms of dirt and mud that you bring in with your shoes.
*Translucent works better: The dark sky above makes your home look gloomy, so why not let some more sunlight into your house? Replace the dark and heavy curtains that you have with light ones. They will maintain your privacy and also let some fresh air and sunlight come-in. Also, you will find heavier curtains dampening due to the moisture in the air.
*Bright furnishing is right: Change all your bedsheets, pillow and table covers to bright and attractive colours. This is a good way to evade the dullness of the environment outside.
*Greener, the better: Make way for some real plants into your house. Not only will they help in freshening up the air inside, but they will also work wonders in changing the whole aroma and adding positivity to the atmosphere inside.
*Chinaware is the catch: Get your best chinaware out and do not wait for a special occasion or a friend. Just treat yourself using them along with hot beverages and snacks. After all you deserve more of it than the guest that may come once a while.