10 Easy Steps to Get Your Home Diwali-Ready
Discover 10 ways to welcome bling, light and colour into your home before this year's Diwali festival arrives
Vinita Kunnath
November 4, 2018
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny blogs and all things off-beat, with an eye for good taste and aesthetics. Home, not clothes, maketh a man.....or woman.
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny... More
It’s that time of year that many of us eagerly awaited as children, because it meant unlimited sweets, bright new clothes, noisy crackers (although I hated them), rows of sparkling Diwali lights and an all-pervasive feeling of joie de vivre. I remember too, albeit with less enthusiasm, the annual spring cleaning and house painting that we had to help out with. As an adult, I still look forward to the festival with as much delight, though I have a lot less patience to do things as elaborately as my folks did. But over the years I have managed to draw up my Diwali to-do list with simple hacks, traditional steps, and some new twists, all of which involve lots of light, bling and colour – prerequisites for Diwali decor.
1. Let there be light – with LEDs…
Sprinkle your outdoors with LED fairy lights – a great alternative to traditional diyas, or oil lamps, that can get blown out by the wind. I love the simplicity of this lighting scheme – strings of fairy lights hung across a patio to transform it into the prettiest spot ever. LEDs can be used indoors as well. They are economical, have the longest lifespan and are the most energy-efficient lights available today.
Sprinkle your outdoors with LED fairy lights – a great alternative to traditional diyas, or oil lamps, that can get blown out by the wind. I love the simplicity of this lighting scheme – strings of fairy lights hung across a patio to transform it into the prettiest spot ever. LEDs can be used indoors as well. They are economical, have the longest lifespan and are the most energy-efficient lights available today.
Who needs sparklers (phuljharis) when you can have decorative lights that resemble them? These contemporary options are not polluting, last longer and look equally festive.
I personally love the traditional multi-tiered brass lamps that can either be suspended or placed on the floor indoors or out. Paper and Chinese lanterns are great temporary options for the outdoors – simply fold them up and put them away after the festival until next Diwali.
I personally love the traditional multi-tiered brass lamps that can either be suspended or placed on the floor indoors or out. Paper and Chinese lanterns are great temporary options for the outdoors – simply fold them up and put them away after the festival until next Diwali.
…or diyas
No Diwali is complete without diyas and you can recycle the clay ones year after year. If you feel too lazy to go the oil-burning diya way (or if you simply want to avoid the stains that these oil lamps can leave behind), consider using tea light candles placed in decorative holders. I also discovered, with much glee, small battery-operated diyas and tea lights that produce a real-looking simulated flame with a flicker mode and all.
No Diwali is complete without diyas and you can recycle the clay ones year after year. If you feel too lazy to go the oil-burning diya way (or if you simply want to avoid the stains that these oil lamps can leave behind), consider using tea light candles placed in decorative holders. I also discovered, with much glee, small battery-operated diyas and tea lights that produce a real-looking simulated flame with a flicker mode and all.
…or a new take on fairy lights
Try placing a string of fairy lights in a glass jar or cloche to illuminate a remote corner, or arrange them in a glass bowl on the coffee table, along with some shiny baubles to catch and reflect the light, for a twinkling display.
Try placing a string of fairy lights in a glass jar or cloche to illuminate a remote corner, or arrange them in a glass bowl on the coffee table, along with some shiny baubles to catch and reflect the light, for a twinkling display.
If you’re lucky enough to have them, don’t forget the niches when lighting your home. These cupped candle holders ensure that these niches stay soot-free.
2. Design a stunning entrance
Create an entrance that’s good enough to invite the Goddess Lakshmi into your home. Decorate the threshold of your doorway and balcony with garlands of marigolds. Marigolds are a festival favourite associated with fire and purity, and are hence considered auspicious. They are also colourful, festive, scented and long-lasting. Intertwine the wreaths and strands with strings of lights for added charm.
Create an entrance that’s good enough to invite the Goddess Lakshmi into your home. Decorate the threshold of your doorway and balcony with garlands of marigolds. Marigolds are a festival favourite associated with fire and purity, and are hence considered auspicious. They are also colourful, festive, scented and long-lasting. Intertwine the wreaths and strands with strings of lights for added charm.
A toran, or decorative door hanging, is another option to add some style to your entrance. Torans are easy for DIYers to whip up, so involve the kids to make them feel part of your Diwali preparations. If fresh leaves are not at hand, get them to cut out leaves from green art paper – that should keep them happily busy for a few hours.
A traditional urli bowl full of colourful flowers or petals at your entrance will dial up the festive quotient a couple of notches.
Browse more boldly coloured entrances
Browse more boldly coloured entrances
3. Create an accent wall
If you loathe repainting the entire house to ready your home for Diwali, concentrate on a feature wall in the living room or near your entrance, to create an accent wall that wows. Paint it a striking red or orange, the traditional Diwali colours – red represents shakti (power or energy) and orange symbolises positivity, then set it off with a gold-trimmed mirror or painting.
If you loathe repainting the entire house to ready your home for Diwali, concentrate on a feature wall in the living room or near your entrance, to create an accent wall that wows. Paint it a striking red or orange, the traditional Diwali colours – red represents shakti (power or energy) and orange symbolises positivity, then set it off with a gold-trimmed mirror or painting.
You could also stencil a large paisley motif in a niche, or order removable Diwali-themed wall decals.
Papering a small wall in a brilliant hue is another good alternative to paint. The advantage of wallpaper is that you can create a feature wall in a design of your choice, with very little hassle.
Wallpaper 101: Pro Tips for Picking It, Putting It Up and More
Wallpaper 101: Pro Tips for Picking It, Putting It Up and More
4. Switch up your cushions
Now is not the time to be understated. Unpack those bright silk furnishings, embellished with zardozi, zari and sequins that might have to be put away for the rest of the year. I find cushions are the easiest option to change up soft furnishings – you can have as many as you want in a myriad of colours.
Now is not the time to be understated. Unpack those bright silk furnishings, embellished with zardozi, zari and sequins that might have to be put away for the rest of the year. I find cushions are the easiest option to change up soft furnishings – you can have as many as you want in a myriad of colours.
5. Decorate the coffee table
Diwali means a stream of guests, so ensure your coffee table is nothing short of stunning. All kinds of decorative elements can be put to use.
This decorative tray conveys a subtle sense of festivity, and the objects it displays can be reused at Christmas.
Diwali means a stream of guests, so ensure your coffee table is nothing short of stunning. All kinds of decorative elements can be put to use.
This decorative tray conveys a subtle sense of festivity, and the objects it displays can be reused at Christmas.
A tray with glistening glassware on your coffee table will do double duty as a decorative piece as well as a functional item.
6. Break out the bling
An easy way to add shine to your space is with a scattering of smaller items like vases, candle holders, decorative plates, and other gold objects. Now’s the time to bring out items of bling that might hibernate in storage for the rest of the year.
An easy way to add shine to your space is with a scattering of smaller items like vases, candle holders, decorative plates, and other gold objects. Now’s the time to bring out items of bling that might hibernate in storage for the rest of the year.
7. Don’t ignore the corners
While you are busy illuminating central spaces in your home, remember to pay attention to remote corners that can easily be neglected. Add colour and light to these areas with multi-hued tassels, tinted glassware and table lamps.
While you are busy illuminating central spaces in your home, remember to pay attention to remote corners that can easily be neglected. Add colour and light to these areas with multi-hued tassels, tinted glassware and table lamps.
8. Use your fancy crockery and cutlery
Diwali is the perfect time to pull out your delicate crockery that only sees the light of day on special occasions. Alternatively, set the table with copper vessels that are traditional and beautiful to look at yet unbreakable. Copper or rose-gold cutlery is befitting for Diwali, if your tastes run to the traditional for tableware.
Tip: These types of cutlery are usually stainless steel electroplated with a layer of gold or copper alloy, so hand wash carefully after use.
Diwali is the perfect time to pull out your delicate crockery that only sees the light of day on special occasions. Alternatively, set the table with copper vessels that are traditional and beautiful to look at yet unbreakable. Copper or rose-gold cutlery is befitting for Diwali, if your tastes run to the traditional for tableware.
Tip: These types of cutlery are usually stainless steel electroplated with a layer of gold or copper alloy, so hand wash carefully after use.
9. Fill your home with fragrance
Either with scented candles…
Either with scented candles…
…or with fragrant flowers. Fragrance lifts the spirit and the mood, so ideally I’d have it all year long, but most definitely during the Festival of Lights.
How to Fragrance Your Home Naturally
How to Fragrance Your Home Naturally
10. Make beautiful rangolis
For those of us who haven’t learnt the art of making rangolis (patterns on the floor, often made from powdered pigments) freehand, stencils are a heaven-sent shortcut. Choose non-toxic colours, especially if you have children. Natural, biodegradable colours such as turmeric, henna or mehendi, rice powder and organic gulaal (the vegetable-powder colours that are usually used at Holi) are now increasingly being used during Diwali.
For those of us who haven’t learnt the art of making rangolis (patterns on the floor, often made from powdered pigments) freehand, stencils are a heaven-sent shortcut. Choose non-toxic colours, especially if you have children. Natural, biodegradable colours such as turmeric, henna or mehendi, rice powder and organic gulaal (the vegetable-powder colours that are usually used at Holi) are now increasingly being used during Diwali.
Alternatively, go for a floral rangoli. It’s easier to make and clean up than powders. You can make rangolis anywhere in the house, but usually they decorate the entrance – a sign of welcome and an invitation to the goddess Lakshmi to bring wealth, prosperity and good luck.
Here’s wishing you all a wonderful Diwali. May the new year bring good health, prosperity and peace to all.
Tell us
How do you get your home Diwali-ready? Tell us in the Comments below, share your photos, and if you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, and join the conversation.
More
Read more lifestyle stories on Houzz
Here’s wishing you all a wonderful Diwali. May the new year bring good health, prosperity and peace to all.
Tell us
How do you get your home Diwali-ready? Tell us in the Comments below, share your photos, and if you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, and join the conversation.
More
Read more lifestyle stories on Houzz
Related Stories
New This Week
4 New Kitchens With Wonderful Wood Cabinets
Pros share how they used various wood species, styles, stains and details to create warm and welcoming kitchens
Full Story
Bathroom Design
5 Secrets to a Smooth-Running Family Bathroom
Pros say these are the must-have features for creating an efficient shared bathroom
Full Story
Kitchen Makeovers
Kitchen of the Week: Beer, Shuffleboard and Pizza Bring the Fun
Entertaining features and a warm industrial style create a lively atmosphere in this revamped Craftsman bungalow space
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Bedrooms So Far in 2024
By Becky Harris
Feather your nest in style with inspiration from Houzz readers’ most-saved bedroom photos
Full Story
Working With Pros
Which Pro Should You Hire for Your Project?
Find out whether you need a contractor, an architect, an interior designer or another professional for the job
Full Story
Bathroom Makeovers
Bathroom of the Week: Accessibility and a Relaxing Vibe
By Becky Harris
A design-build firm uses universal design principles when expanding a family bath
Full Story
Housekeeping
How to Clean Your Windows and Keep Them Streak-Free
Try these tips, tricks and tools to wash your windows so they’re crystal clear
Full Story
Entryways
The 10 Most Popular Entries and Mudrooms So Far in 2024
Get ideas for storage setups, color schemes and special details from the most-saved entry photos so far this year
Full Story
Kitchen Design
30 Bold and Beautiful Range Backsplashes
Get ideas for eye-catching tile and stone backsplashes inside stove alcoves and behind cooktops
Full Story
Porches
Porch of the Week: Catching a Breeze in Austin, Texas
By Becky Harris
The new screened-in space has a beautiful fireplace as a focal point and includes lounging and dining spaces
Full Story
We are moving in a couple of weeks so our Diwali party this year is a combination moving/Diwali party since this is the only home our kids have ever known. Since so much is in boxes I haven't been able to decorate this year which is disappointing.
Very nice. Thank you.
Happy Diwali!