SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Oct 17: With Diwali just around the corner, its onset sparks feelings of joy and festivity within everyone. This is the time of the year that is much-awaited and almost frantic. People begin getting homes cleaned, polished and painted for the festival of lights. Grandmother’s recipes for homemade ladoos and pedas will be out, and ready to be prepared in batches as people send out blessings to friends and family.
Apart from all of this, for many, Diwali is a time when people often get their homes ready with elegant decorations. There seems to be a never-ending list of things to do, places to visit and people to see. Here are some handy tips to make things easy and make a home pop and look festive and guest ready.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Present an enormous mirror in your front room. Decorating with mirrors has more benefits than just giving you a place to check your outfit. A wonderfully versatile design feature, they add instant glamour, elevate spaces and make a room look bigger. Along with this, they also increase natural light and maximise the sense of space in a home.
Gold rush
Gold is a lovely colour scheme for Diwali theme decoration. Diyas, lanterns, fairy lights and idols can all have a gold finish. Gold has all the benefits of other metals such as chrome and silver — a reflective surface to bounce light back into a room, and the ability to add a touch of sparkle and opulence. But, unlike its shiny cousins, gold has one important decorative addition — it can add a depth of warmth like no other.
Get creative with cushions
Cushions are versatile decor items and are the best option for home decorations and are also pretty functional in use. Mix up cushions of different colours, sequins, beads and the like. The charming quality of the cushions makes them perfect for home decorations. They help in adding a touch of style. The cushions will also enhance the beauty of the room where it is placed.
Rug it up
Something as straightforward as changing your floor covering can have a colossal effect. Rugs revive rooms in a jiffy. Else, opt for dhurries with traditional motifs. It is an easy Diwali decoration and can be used throughout the year too. Often the unsung hero of home decor, rugs and dhurries soften the look, absorb noise and are excellent internal insulators. Functionality aside, rugs can also totally transform a space by tying a colour scheme together and adding texture, dimension and statement-making style.
Light up your life
Best Diwali decoration ideas are incomplete without lights. Fairly lights are quite affordable and you can scatter them around surfaces and window sills. Else bundle them up inside glass containers, crystals or any holders for a staggering impact. Expertly placed lighting adds another dimension to a space, bringing an interior design project to life. Great lighting creates depth and height, cosy spots, and draws attention to the most impressive areas. It’s all about the balance of light and shade and bringing new energy to an interior.
Flower power
Flowers add freshness and colour to rooms. Traditional Diwali decoration is synonymous with blossoms. Place them in a vase on your coffee table or even in a bowl of water with a tea light candle floating amidst. People use flowers on every occasion, even in the case of Diwali which is one of the biggest festivals of Hindus where people use flowers for decoration. On this auspicious occasion, people decorate their homes with different varieties of fresh-cut flowers and beautifully designed candles. At present, flower arrangements are a simple and effective way to amplify the welcome setting of any given space. Not only reserved for special occasions, but a few simple stems can also be just as important in an everyday setting. Typically used as a centrepiece, floral arrangements can be made out of fresh cut, dried and/or artificial flowers.
Tea lights for a festive glow
As already known to all, candles are a versatile and timeless classic. Long gone are days when candles were used for illuminating dark rooms or as a substitute for power failure. With the evolution in its usage, candles are now used to enhance the beauty of a place. Tea light votive holders are a creative Diwali decoration idea too. Place a pair or a cluster of several on side tables, your main entrance or the dining table for a festive glow. Tea light candles are gorgeous little pots that emit a soft glow. They are the perfect accessories to enhance the charm of the moment. They are small, circular and encased in thin metal cups. The presence of Tea light candles can bring the feel of the fairytale world on any occasion. These tiny candles are available in different colours from subtle to bright so that you can add a shade of your choice.
A fragrant affair
Decor apart, your home needs to smell festive too. Kitchen herbs like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves are aromatic and can be mixed up with dried petals – that’s your DIY potpourri. Potpourri, as often thought is not a new concept. In fact, people in earlier times would use another version of it known as the urli bowl, which would be filled with dried or fresh flower petals. Rose, Mogra and Jasmine in the form of potpourri and scented candles are a few of the aromas that will add to the mood of this festive season.
