Traditional Indian home decor is like the lifeline of Indian households. Their artistic brilliance is timeless and symbolises the nation’s rich heritage and culture.
Every single element in the decor items tells stories about the land’s diverse craftsmanship and style. By adding them to your home, you will not only build a warm and inviting space but also honour your roots.
So, here are the top traditional Indian home decor picks to brighten up your space!
1. Carved Wooden Furniture
Indian wooden furniture stands out because of its sturdiness and delicate craftsmanship. Explore options in mahogany, rosewood, teak, and Sheesham wood. These come with intricate geometric, floral, and even mythological carvings and motifs.
If you want to showcase carved wooden furniture to guests, it’s best to buy cabinets, diwan/sofa, and coffee tables. Especially if you get the carved wooden sofa, try balancing its beauty with gorgeous and brightly coloured silk cushions for an elegant look.
However, if you want to fill your personal space with this decor, a bed is also an option.
2. Metal Items
Metalware, especially those made of brass, has been an all-time popular and sustainable decor in every Indian household.
Versatile brassware not only adds a unique charm to your home but also offers great utility. The durable material offers a sense of heritage to every household.
Consider getting intricately designed brass diyas and lamps to spread golden light throughout your home. Brass figurines on your desks are great options.
Conversely, you can place a large brass uruli—a type of shallow bowl—near the entrance filled with water and different types of flowers floating on it. It instantly leaves a royal impression on guests.
3. Traditional Textiles
India is renowned for its unparalleled textile legacy. So, explore the unlimited fancy fabric, including cotton, silk, jute, and satin, and incorporate them into your safe haven. These also come in vibrantly coloured designs, embroidery, weaving, and block prints.
The most popular home decor in textiles and fabrics include cushion covers, sofa covers, table runners, curtains, and bedspreads.
Uplift your space by mixing and matching different types of textiles to create a cosy and luxurious ambience.
4. Hand-Painted Art
Pichwai and Madhubani art has been dominating the Indian home decor industry for decades. These art pieces highlight the rich tradition of the country and make your walls come alive.
These paintings usually have cultural symbolism and stories behind them. They serve as fantastic focal points, so even the dullest rooms can feel vibrant with these arts.
You can find them in framed paintings, murals, and wall hangings. Add a hint of tradition by placing these artworks in your living room, entryway, or above the mantel.
Alternatively, seek Indian tribal art, including Gond, Pattachitra, and Warli. They add cultural richness to your home and are tributes to the tribes and their respect for nature. Every piece tells a different story of the respective community.
Murals and wall hangings are the most sought-after decor items. Display them in a neutral, minimalist zone to highlight their beauty.
5. Carpets and Rugs
The traditional Indian home looks incomplete without vibrant-looking rugs and carpets. They are functional and cosy to place your foot on and offer warmth and colourful pop to your rooms.
The elaborate designs and detailed craftsmanship of these decorative pieces make them timeless.
From Kashmiri silk carpets and handwoven Rajasthani dhurries to Persian carpets and jute rugs, there’s something for a household on every budget.
Make the most out of heavily designed rugs and carpets by placing them in an area with minimal decor.
6. Ornamental Mirrors
Ornamental or jharokha mirrors in intricately designed frames add a royal touch to traditional homes. These evergreen pieces are inspired by Rajasthani and Mughal architectures.
They add great depth and dimension by reflecting light around your home. Your space looks bigger than it actually is.
Consider placing a wall-mounted jharokha mirror in the hallway. It’ll work as a focal piece and grab all the attention while making your space look warm. While jharokha mirrors are primarily found in wood frames, you can also look around for metal ones.
7. Pottery
Indian roots have a great connection with handcrafted earthen pottery made of ceramic and terracotta. Pots and vases in earthy tones are the most popular pieces due to their rustic and exotic appeal and sustainability.
From flower vases to decorative pots and water pitchers, you can try out different handcrafted options. These are an amazing way to highlight your eco-friendly beliefs while embracing traditional culture.
Whether you miss your rural roots or just want to bring a piece of rustic vibe home, place terracotta pots of different sizes in a corner of your living room. It’ll instantly elevate the room’s vibe!
8. Embellished Lanterns and Lights
In the old times, the traditional Indian homes sported breathtaking hanging lanterns, oil lamps, and paper lamps.
These lighting options transform your space with a splash of cosiness by casting a warm glow. The light and shadows create mesmerising patterns throughout your home.
Experiment with lanterns and string lights for the outdoor seating area or balcony to create dramatic effects. They are especially fabulous during festivities.
9. Temple Decor
Hindu temples have a special decor theme. Temple arches and bells are one of the most used traditional Indian home decor.
If you’re a Hindu and have an established prayer room, consider adding a wooden or metal temple. You can decorate the temple further with flowers and diyas.
Temple-styled decor boosts your home’s spiritual vibes and instils a sense of peace and devotion.
10. Cane Crafts
For the homeowner obsessed with eco-friendly and lightweight decor, cane and bamboo crafts are dreamy decor choices!
Although they blend with all sorts of home styles, these mostly go well with modern, urban homes that need traditional hints.
Some versatile and functional cane and bamboo crafts are planters for your garden and woven baskets as storage.
You can also get sophisticated cane furniture and place them in a sunlit corner indoors or in an outdoor space. They are perfect for relaxing while getting some sun and reading.
11. Stone Inlay Work
Stone inlay work traces its origins to the Mughal era. A prime example is the Taj Mahal! These are popular because they exude a delicate, timeless vibe. They make your home chic and luxurious.
A few ways to embrace stone inlay work in your home are by getting marble tabletops and coffee tables, trays, coasters, and decorative plates with inlay designs.
For the most impact, place a marble inlay table in the living room. Put brass accessories or decorative pieces on top of the centrepiece. The contrast will catch everyone’s attention, and they’ll shower lots of compliments!
12. Bells and Chimes
Imagine you return home after a long day, open the door, and are welcomed with tinkling sounds. Those who like subtle sounds should consider getting bells and wind chimes.
To keep things traditional, ditch the glass options and stick to brass, bamboo, shell, wood, and terracotta. You can check out the sound of each material at the store and get the ones that resonate the most with you.
Hang wind chimes on balconies or near windows and bells at the doorway. Every time someone enters or leaves home, or the wind blows, a pleasant sound will fill your home.
13. Ornamental Window and Door Frames
If you’re ready to splurge a bit more, consider switching to ornamental window and door frames. Find ones in carvings and brass fittings. Go for arched options for windows. They will enhance your home’s looks both from inside and outside!
14. Handwoven Wall Art
Wall hangings with traditional hand weaving add texture and depth to your home’s plain walls. With their artistic touch, they brighten up your interiors. As India is diverse, you’ll find wall hangings with several regional and tribal handweaving techniques.
Some commonly coveted options are Macramé, phulkari, and Kashmiri crewel-embroidered ones. You can hang these vibrant pieces in the living room for guests to admire and in your bedroom to make it more lively.
15. Copper Utensils
Utensils can also add to your home’s aesthetics! Invest in copper utensils for not only aesthetic purposes but also health benefits, durability, and ease of maintenance.
The warm metallic tone utensils have been brightening up the kitchen space of Indian homes for ages, complementing your home’s traditional interiors.
Choose from decorative copper cookware, water pitchers, and hanging pots. Showcase the copper utensils on open shelves or shelves with glass/plastic doors in the dining space.
The functional way of displaying the utensils adds vintage hints to modern households.
Conclusion
With these traditional Indian home decor items and ideas, you can make your home elegant and highlight your roots.
However, don’t just select any decor randomly. Make sure it complements your home’s current aesthetics and creates a cosy vibe. Seek all family members, especially the elderly, and you will get the best suggestion about choosing a suitable decor item!
