Bring Home the Festive Spirit: Simple Decor Elements

Small touches of colour, light, fragrance, and fabric can transform your home

The festive season is around the corner, and your shopping list must be overflowing! But don’t forget to give your house a quick makeover. Transform that everyday mundane look and fill the house with the spirit of celebration. It will not only delight your guests but also get you in the festive mood.

Worried about the budget? (Yes, we know how the gifts add up to the expenses.) Small changes can create a big impact if chosen carefully. By focusing on the core elements of colour, texture, light, fragrance, and visuals, you can easily refresh your space without breaking the bank.

Colour: Go Bold, Go Regal

You might be a big fan of minimalism, preferring the softer and neutral tones and shades. But the spirit of celebration calls for something richer and grander! So it’s time to go beyond the calm composure and be a bit louder.

Deep and dark jewel tones like emerald green, ruby red, wine red, purple, and royal blue give a regal look and bring out the drama.  Metallic shades like gold, silver and copper are always the showstopper. Also, it’s in perfect sync with the brass items of your worship space. So, try to introduce these colours in your space through textiles or accents and bring out the charm of the season.

Fabric: The Quickest Transformation

You don’t have to undertake a massive repaint project to include these colours in your house. Fabrics add colour and texture while elevating the mood of your room instantly. Velvet and silk curtains in dark tones add a sense of luxury, and brocade works give that festive vibe. Bed sheets with intricate motifs can also uplift the ambience.

If you want something more subtle, consider the throw pillows. A few jewel-toned or embroidered cushions with a neutral sofa set will create a perfect balance of festivity without being overwhelming. Similarly, traditional motifs on table runners and tablecloths can add elegance with ease.

Lights: The Soul of Festivals

Lights are the centre of any festival. It brightens the space and gives a positive and soothing warmth. Each option has its own charm. The traditional diyas or lanterns are perfect for a more classic and timeless effect. Fairy lights and string lights magically blend in with any decor and are especially suited for a modern home. Hang from your curtain rod or verandah and wrap around the railings. Also, don’t forget the good ol’ decorative candles, which never go out of style. Be it the typical white ones in brass holders or modern decorative ones, they radiate a comforting warmth.

If an all-traditional look makes you suffocate, use colourful lights to give a more playful look. If you have kids or pets, definitely go for LED diyas and candles for a safer option.

Fragrance: The Invisible Decor

Though often overlooked, scents greatly influence the ambience of our house. It is as important as the visuals. The scent of burning incense sticks and the sweet fragrance of flowers are inseparable from the puja traditions.

Decorate your doorways with fresh garlands or create a rangoli with flowers. Oil diffusers and essential oils (especially jasmine and sandalwood) give a lasting fragrance and help to relax your mind. Potpourri bowls (a mix of flower petals and spices) not only provide a natural aroma but also act as a visual appeal.

And definitely, always keep scented candles on the list! 

Visuals: Accents that Tell a Story

Finally, finish your festive decor with a touch of an accent showpiece that speaks of tradition and celebration. Ethnic showpieces in metals like brass, copper and silver can accentuate your space. Mirrors with ornate frames and glass items act as reflective surfaces to brighten the space. Traditional wall hangings and artworks, whether folk art, mandalas, or paintings of deities (even in contemporary style), can amplify your bland wall.

If you don’t have any special showpieces and don’t want to invest in any, even a simple brass stand for your diyas can become the focal point.

The key is not to clutter with random items for display but to select items that reflect and harmonise with the spirit of the season.

Conclusion

Indian festivity is all about maximalism– rich colours, intricate designs, layered fabrics, and gorgeous shine. But too much can be overwhelming and create clutter, ruining the overall look.

Sometimes, even a simple arrangement, like a brass or copper platter with floating scented candles and flower petals (maybe set on a tablecloth with fine design), can evoke all the elements of colour, light, scent, and accent in just one effortless gesture. The secret lies in balance.

Balance the traditional decor with modern functionality, and welcome this festive season with full glamour. After all, puja is all about dispelling the negativity with the positive spirit of the festival, reminding us that life is a delicate balance between dark and light. Let your decor echo that same harmony.

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