It's time for a festive makeover

Come October and you know it is the start of a brand new festive season. It’s the season of new beginnings, get-togethers and celebrations. It’s also a great time to decorate your home! In fact, why just decorate, it’s a great time to give your home a makeover. And what better theme than festivals to give your lovely abode that much-needed change? Even if you aren’t in the mood for a complete makeover, you can always make simple additions or think out of the box to add that touch of festive fervour to your home decor.

Celebratory cues
The festive season is the perfect time to make your house look striking, impressive and luxurious. At the same time, your house should also look warm, welcoming and classy.

Architect Noopur Doshi, co-founder/partner, Studio E.D. Architects and The Matchbox Cowork, Mumbai, believes festive decor is quite easy. “Adding a festive touch to your home decor to set a celebratory mood can be easily done. There are simple everyday objects that one can use that will take your home from drab to fab in just a few minutes. The first step is to clean the clutter. Create a festive look by adding the sparkle of lights around your home; this will light up your home and your mood. Brighten your living room by using vibrant-coloured sofa cushions and floral decorations,” she says.

“One should also try boosting the spiritual quotient of their home now. The entrance foyer and main doors are the first things that anyone would notice at your house. Give your entrance a new look by embellishing it with mirrors and bells hanging from the doorway to welcome guests. An assortment of hanging diyas and bells can be added at different heights to give the entrance a unique and interesting feel. Also, adding a few centrepieces makes the house look attractive. Fresh flowers and diyas with incandescent lamps will bring fragrance to the house.”

Hues galore
Festivals in India are vibrant chiefly by the use of colours like reds, pinks, yellows, turquoise, tangerine. It is also one of the quickest ways to turn your decor festive.

“Use red brocade cushions, silk cushions in shades of turquoise and yellows with traditional motifs in your home decor. Throw carpets or rugs that add a pop of colour. Avoid blues, instead try hues of yellow, mustard and tangerine. This will instantly put you in the mood for celebrations. Use a few accessories like tassels, hanging elements in some eye-popping colour to accentuate the curtains. If you can, reupholster one or two chairs in some vibrant colours or velvet,” advises Shantanu Garg, interior designer, Shantanu Garg Designs.

As far as accessories are concerned, use brass elements or any coloured metal that’s glossy. Traditional art with a contemporary touch like pichhwai art that has vibrant colours and traditional miniature art elements are great additions too. Lighting is the biggest game changer in turning your house around. Replacing your muted chandelier with some traditional and coloured glass chandelier would definitely turn the festive mode on.

Desi inspirations
Why look anywhere else when our own country has so much to offer in terms of inspiration for home decor? Decorate your home using an assorted range of genuine and original handicraft products this season.

Priyank Varshney, founder, Handikart.co.in, has some suggestions, “This festive season, decorate your home with the idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, eye-catching puja accessories like diyas, tea light holders and amazingly genuine brassware products, terracotta, pattachitra, leather lamps, marble products, and more. Earthen lamps are a passé. Instead, this year, opt for hand-carved gorara stone (Indian soapstone) stands to light diyas at your place. People often use such stands with diyas, candles and battery-fitted LEDs too. Some of these carved and uniquely shaped gorara stone diyas also come with incense sticks and aroma stands to fill your room with tantalising fragrances.”

“Marble lanterns, brass and leather lamps and crystal ceiling fixtures are classy and chic. With an array of lamps, lanterns and decorative accessories, you can transform your home into one with a dreamy luminescence and shimmering brilliance,” he adds.

Get creative
Spruce up the ambience of your home with a little innovation to make it look young and beautiful again. Even if you do not wish to go for a complete makeover, you can plan little renovations in different parts of the house and give it that ultimate festive look.

Doshi explains, “You can choose to just paint a single wall in each room or even paint the living room in a different colour. Brighten up the dark corners of your room with a fresh new colour. You can either go with the festive reds, oranges, maroons, or go wild with your own palettes. To redefine your interiors with unmatched elegance, start by rearranging the furniture, the room will definitely look different.”

“Changing the drapes and furnishings are the easiest ways to add a festive look to your home. Place ethnic rugs or curtains that give your space a festive spirit. You can use dupattas or stoles as throws-overs on the sofa or as an embellishment on curtains. Add mirrors with fancy frames to enlighten a dull space,” she adds.

So, what are you waiting for? Give your home a makeover joyful season, and let the festivities begin!