Happy Diwali 2023: Tips And Tricks To Give Your Home A Festive Look

Diwali is much more than just the spectacle of fireworks and lamps. It's a wonderful occasion for family reunions and an ideal time for many to give their homes a little makeover.

Tips And Tricks To Give Your Home A Festive Look This Diwali

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As the season of festivities envelops us, there's an undeniable aura of joy and celebration. These occasions not only connect us with our traditions but also provide an excellent opportunity to infuse our living spaces with the vibrant colours that define our cultural heritage. Diwali is much more than just the spectacle of fireworks and lamps. It's a wonderful occasion for family reunions and an ideal time for many to give their homes a little makeover. 

According to, Life & Space Designer Uttamaditya of U & I Interiors, "Diwali is a time to create memories that last a lifetime. It's a time when families come together to celebrate age-old customs and participate in moments filled with warmth, light, and love. The vivacious colours of wall decor and the subtle elegance of curtains set the stage for heartfelt interactions. It's not just about decorating a space; it's about crafting moments that will be forever cherished. Interior design has the power to transform spaces into sanctuaries of memories."

Here are some makeover tips listed in this article which you can incorporate to your Diwali routine:

Create A Vibrant And Colourful Home:

In this regard, Sarabjit Singh, who is the Founder & Architectural Designer, of Villa Ortiga said, "Colour has an immense impact on interior design, influencing the aesthetics and mood of a space. How we choose and incorporate colours in our homes can set the stage for festive celebrations and leave a lasting impression on our guests."

Let’s look at the importance of colour in home decor as suggested by Sarabjit and how to use colour strategically to create a welcoming and celebratory atmosphere.

• A Palette of Tradition and Joy

One of the hallmarks of Indian festivals is the kaleidoscope of colours that adorn our homes. It's a reflection of our rich cultural diversity and an expression of the joy that these celebrations bring. When you open the door to your home during this time, the colours should not be confined to your attire alone but greet you at the entrance. Decorate your home's entrance with colourful rangolis during festivals. Choose vibrant shades for bold patterns. Add torans and floral garlands to enhance the welcome.

• The Living Room: A Canvas For Celebration

The living room is the heart of the festivities and socialising. Incorporate a palette of rich hues such as deep reds, royal blues, and emerald greens, along with bright yellows and zesty oranges. These jewel tones exude opulence and perfectly capture the spirit of the season. Decorate with colourful cushions, throws, and curtains, and consider a bold accent wall in a festive hue. Brightly coloured artificial flowers add variety and vibrance to the room decor while being longer-lasting than natural flowers; add them to your decorative vases. 

• The Dining Area: A Feast For The Eyes

In the dining area, the colours on your table settings can elevate the dining experience. Choose vibrant tablecloths, dinnerware, and accessories that complement your colour scheme. Consider incorporating traditional elements like brass or copper tableware to add a touch of elegance. Lighting also plays a significant role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere during dinner.

• Lighting The Way

Lighting is another crucial element during festivals. Imbibe warmth and a joyous feel into your home using festive lights. Add hanging lights such as chandeliers, pendant lights and string lights throughout the space. Dazzle the outdoors using starry lights, uplighters and downlighters. You may also drape string lights over hedges and trees. Let the lighting be ample but not overly bright so that the diyas are highlighted when lit all over the house.

Minimalist Decors:

Mehul Agarwal, who is the Director and CEO, of Dorby said, "Minimalism is in vogue, and pastel colours like mint green, clary jade, whyte blue, peach caramel, rustic orange & mellow rose, are being used in combination with whites, greys and beiges. Add a festive touch to your interiors by incorporating brighter elements of décor, such as fresh flowers, plants, and small colourful decor pieces. The colour contrast adds a touch of creativity and sets the right festive mood. Wooden interiors are never out of style and give a regal and sophisticated look to your nest. To ace the wooden look, use lighter shades of décor, reflective surfaces to create a luxurious ambiance combined with heavy furnishings. Another way to add a timeless look to your Diwali décor is to include artistic elements like paintings, showpieces, artifacts, and metallic decorative pieces. Lights play an essential role in lifting up the festive spirit, so experiment with lights in full swing."

Elegant Rugs:

Yogesh Chaudhary, who is the Director of Jaipur Rugs said, "Diwali is a festival of lights, joy and warmth. Including a handcrafted rug to the home decor is one way to bring festive joy, rugs provide comfort and warmth to the space while adding a touch of heritage and beauty. You can opt for a design that evokes the spirit of festivity, like a traditional paisley patterns or Rangoli-inspired themes. These rugs are wonderful works of art that gives a characteristic to a house. A handmade rug in your hall will provide a definition to the room and light it up. Smaller rugs also known as runners can be added to create a pleasant feel in the bedroom and defines the aesthetic of the room."

Aesthetic Furnitures:

Jenis Makwana, who is the Head of Design & Innovation Lab Head, at Bonito Designs said, "You could also think about adding elegant wooden furniture, embroidered cushions, and silk drapes in vibrant hues to give your space a lively feel. Low seating with floor cushions and pouffes can create an intimate atmosphere for your celebrations."

Shailly Mandiwal, who is the Home Furnishing Direction Leader, at IKEA India said, "An important aspect of decor for Diwali is the need for storage because the festive season means giving and receiving gifts. This makes storage space a challenge. Aesthetic storage solutions not only solve this problem, but also enhance the home’s overall decor. Because in the end, a clutter-free home paves the way for a clutter-free heart."

Decorate Your Prayer Room:

Jenis Makwana said, "The prayer room takes on special importance during Diwali, and you might consider adding a touch of vibrancy to your puja corner with decorations like garlands and flower arrangements. You could also enhance the atmosphere by adding candles, diyas, and lights to create a sacred and tranquil ambiance."

"If you're looking to add a touch of Diwali decor, you might want to consider incorporating intricate mirror work, a classic feature during this season. Decorating your walls with colourful paintings, murals, and sustainable materials can be a delightful choice. Opting for handmade and biodegradable decor not only adds a unique touch to your interiors but also aligns with a greener, more conscious lifestyle," added Jenis.

Interesting Lighting:

When it comes to lighting, you have plenty of options to transform your home's ambiance for Diwali, such as string lights, fairy lights, paper lanterns, diyas, candles, table lamps, LED candles, 'Jhoomars,' and Jaipur lamps. 

"To infuse a touch of luxury and tradition into your decor, you might consider adding brass or gold accents. And don't forget to add a lovely touch of jasmine or orchid aroma to make your home smell fresh, festive, and joyful. These are just some ideas to consider for a delightful Diwali celebration," added Jenis.

"Looking ahead to the future, Diwali spaces are on the brink of transformation, and interior design is at the forefront of this change. Sustainability, digital integration, and inclusivity are the key focal points. Celebrations will be more responsible with eco-friendly practices and renewable resources. Technology-driven immersive experiences will redefine Diwali, elevating it beyond just visual aesthetics to a more meaningful and intrinsic connection. In tomorrow's Diwali spaces, the emphasis will be on fostering unity, tradition, and holistic well-being, creating not just visually captivating but emotionally significant environments," concluded Uttamaditya.

Overall Tips for Diwali Decoration:

Uttamaditya suggested some tips on how to decorate different spaces at your home:

Diwali Decoration Tips For Your Living Room 

• Large Wall-Mounted Mirrors: Elevate your living room by installing a large mirror. Not only do mirrors make rooms look bigger, but they also add an elegant touch. 
• Gold Accents and Decor: Incorporate the colour gold into your Diwali decor for a warm and welcoming feel. Add some gold finishes to your diyas, lanterns, fairy lights, and idols. Don't forget to add some lights to your space as well. Play around with different types of lights like fairy lights, string lights, and LED strip lights to create a dazzling effect. 
• Pillows and Cushions: Cushions are versatile decor items that can add a pop of colour or texture to your living room. Experiment with cushions of different colours, sequins, beads, and materials for the perfect Diwali decoration. 
• Carpets and Rugs: Add some warmth and coziness to your living room with a colourful carpet or rug.

Transform Your Balcony for Diwali: Decor Ideas 

• Bamboo Screens and wooden fencing: For added privacy, try draping a bamboo screen or wooden fencing on your balcony. Add some decorative lights or plants to create an inviting atmosphere.
• Miscellaneous Decor Arrangements: Combine fairy lights, artefacts, and comfortable furniture to create an ethnic ensemble perfect for a Diwali theme. 
• Fairy Lights: String or chain lights can add charm to your balcony at night. Let them hang by the window panes adjoining your balcony, and watch as the dim lights shimmer through and light up your home. 

Diwali Decoration Ideas: Adding Color and Creativity to Your Home Walls:

• Paper Garlands: String together colourful paper cups to create a fun and vibrant garland that can be used throughout the year. 
• Paper Torans and Lanterns: Opt for crepe paper torans and lanterns for a longer-lasting and more aesthetically pleasing alternative to plastic or real flower torans. 
• Sweet-Smelling Candles: Add a touch of elegance to your home with scented candles in jars or glass votive holders. Jazz up plain tea light candles with washi tape in various colours and designs.
• Paper Sack Illuminators: Punch out decorative designs on paper sacks and place a flame inside for a unique and handmade Diwali decoration.

Ideas to Decorate Your Pooja Room this Diwali 

• Earthen Pots and Diya Lights: Diyas or earthen/mud lights are an essential part of Diwali decor. These earthen lights add a touch of elegance to your home. You can make your own diyas using flour or soil or transform a basic diya into a beautiful piece with paints, sparkles, and pearls. Place them in the Pooja room, as well as the staircase, hallways, front door, and balcony to create a warm ambiance. 
• Rangoli Designs: Rangoli is an age-old tradition that adds a burst of colour to your home. They look good at the base of the idol in the Pooja house or in the yard. 
• Ganesh and Lakshmi Idols: Diwali is synonymous with worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for health, wealth, and happiness. Idols in metal, brass, or clay are options you can choose from to place in the Pooja room or Pooja thali. Adorn them with flower buds and bring in fresh energy this year! 
• Floral Adornments: Flowers are an essential element of any festive decoration. Get creative this year and place them in a jar or hang them at the entrance or windows in chains to enhance your living space!