Celebrating Diwali? Here’s How to Get Your House Ready
These ideas will help you get set for India’s festival of lights now so you can relax and enjoy the parties
Rukmini Ray Kadam
October 13, 2017
Houzz India Contributor, Home Decor Feature writer with Huffington post India, Decor stories at Deccan Herald, Realty section & Founder of Trumatter- a design and decor blog which won 3 prestigious awards panning 2014 to 2016. When not dabbling with decor I work with a few brilliant people in a leading Food Tech organization, nurture my enthusiasm for good photographs and sing for an alternative band.
Houzz India Contributor, Home Decor Feature writer with Huffington post India, Decor... More
Diwali is around the corner, and if you celebrate this Indian festival of lights, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. There are so many things you could have done to get ready for guests, but alas, you haven’t. So, what? Be Miss Havisham for the festive hours? No way!
Though there is only one Diwali day (Oct. 19 this year), the festivities often start earlier and stretch over a five-day period. These ideas will help you make your house warm and inviting in plenty of time.
Clean the public areas. Start by cleaning your living room (or at least the most visible parts of the room) and the main bathroom. Those are where you’ll get the most traffic. Move on to the kitchen, terrace or balcony and then to the other areas of your house. Dust your furniture, scrub the windows, wash your sheets and spot-clean upholstery. While you’re at it, clean your fans, light fixtures and appliances as well.
Clean the public areas. Start by cleaning your living room (or at least the most visible parts of the room) and the main bathroom. Those are where you’ll get the most traffic. Move on to the kitchen, terrace or balcony and then to the other areas of your house. Dust your furniture, scrub the windows, wash your sheets and spot-clean upholstery. While you’re at it, clean your fans, light fixtures and appliances as well.
Declutter and organize. Grouping and organizing can do wonders and make a space look presentable almost instantly. Start decluttering and sorting items in places that are the most visible.
The kitchen is a good place to start, as you will likely have guests coming in to help you or themselves. If you have open shelves in your kitchen, organize your pantry and cookware. Move on to the sink area and give it a good scrubbing too.
How to Speed Clean Your House
The kitchen is a good place to start, as you will likely have guests coming in to help you or themselves. If you have open shelves in your kitchen, organize your pantry and cookware. Move on to the sink area and give it a good scrubbing too.
How to Speed Clean Your House
Paint and touch up. You might not believe the dramatic transformation a fresh coat of paint can bring about. And surprisingly, it’s very easy to paint and not as time-consuming as you might think … well, at least the way I’m suggesting is not.
If you haven’t gotten your full house painted, as everyone usually does before Diwali, here is the best trick in the book. Focus on a small key area or a piece of furniture that you think will shine or make the most impact after a paint job. For a quick update, give your old display case or bookshelves a new lease on life with a new color. Painting the backs of the shelves in a different color than that of the exterior will add depth and loads of style.
If you haven’t gotten your full house painted, as everyone usually does before Diwali, here is the best trick in the book. Focus on a small key area or a piece of furniture that you think will shine or make the most impact after a paint job. For a quick update, give your old display case or bookshelves a new lease on life with a new color. Painting the backs of the shelves in a different color than that of the exterior will add depth and loads of style.
Add accents. Use this easy and quick tip that’ll usher in the celebratory spirit pronto: Pour wax into colorful vintage teacups to make candles out of them, or place tea lights in them — group them on a plate and create a vignette.
You could also grab an old copper or brass thali (Indian platter), add tea lights and flower petals on it, and place it on the coffee table. This will look beautifully festive.
You could also grab an old copper or brass thali (Indian platter), add tea lights and flower petals on it, and place it on the coffee table. This will look beautifully festive.
Swap out the pillows. A way to change the look of your living room is to change the drapes, upholstery and covers. However, if you don’t have time for that, then at least give your pillows a makeover. Cover them with fabrics in dramatic patterns and colors and observe them instantly lift the room.
Tip: Try tucking in a throw, as was done here, as opposed to simply leaving it on your sofa or your sofa chair.
Tip: Try tucking in a throw, as was done here, as opposed to simply leaving it on your sofa or your sofa chair.
Add a surprise. Having a lighting option or two in unexpected places will certainly earn you brownie points! If you have a hallway, you could line lanterns on one side and on the stairs for a dreamy, festive look.
I’ve lived in small spaces all my life, so I am a huge fan of utilizing any available overhead space. If you have a terrace or balcony, no matter how small, bring a little festive whimsy to it. For instance, instead of adding fairy lights — or, as I call them, Diwali lights — to the windows, string them overhead in a place that has an electrical outlet. I have done this on my own balcony, and the result is quite stunning. Not only does it look beautiful and different, but it also makes for a practical lighting solution even after Diwali is over, when you want to enjoy a few glasses of wine outdoors with friends and family.
Beach Vintage
Be creative with mismatched dishware. Don’t worry if you do not have matching dishes to entertain your guests with because you didn’t have time to shop. Bring out your old, vintage, modern and any other kinds of pretty plates and create a set with them.
The key is to match the salad plate, dinner plate and dessert plate in terms of color and texture. For example, if you have a pink polka dot dessert plate, a pink Georgian-motif dinner plate and a plain pink salad plate, you can create a set with them. Bring the look together with identical glasses and a solid-colored tablecloth.
The key is to match the salad plate, dinner plate and dessert plate in terms of color and texture. For example, if you have a pink polka dot dessert plate, a pink Georgian-motif dinner plate and a plain pink salad plate, you can create a set with them. Bring the look together with identical glasses and a solid-colored tablecloth.
Go for noncomplicated. “Festive” doesn’t have to mean ornate and opulent. It can also be warm, cozy and simple. In the end, it’s about celebrating togetherness. Plan to set a simple yet attractive table — the key is to be clever with what you have on hand.
Don’t have a runner? How about a burlap strip for one? Make it come alive with tea lights in empty jam jars and a few flowers strewn carelessly on the table. Even a few seasonal fruits displayed in a big bowl would do the trick. Don’t have a good tablecloth? How about using a gorgeous sari instead? Saris add Indian flair to any decor.
Celebrating? Share in the Comments below some tips and quick fixes that have made your home Diwali-ready.
More: How to thoroughly clean every room in your house
Don’t have a runner? How about a burlap strip for one? Make it come alive with tea lights in empty jam jars and a few flowers strewn carelessly on the table. Even a few seasonal fruits displayed in a big bowl would do the trick. Don’t have a good tablecloth? How about using a gorgeous sari instead? Saris add Indian flair to any decor.
Celebrating? Share in the Comments below some tips and quick fixes that have made your home Diwali-ready.
More: How to thoroughly clean every room in your house
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I have never heard of this holiday. I am Polish.
@deeners1 Diwali is celebrated by millions of Hindus all over the world. Little earthen vessels with oil called deyas are lit at around 6pm and represent the triumph of light over darkness. It's the equivalent of Christmas I guess.
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