There is something about the monsoon season that speaks to the soul of us Indians. It is, perhaps, an evolutionary conditioning that associates the onset of the rainy season with a bumper crop, prosperity, and abundance. Even in modern times, when we live in high rises and bustling metro cities, the onset of the rains makes us want to rustle up some tea and fritters and watch the drops fall from the sky. While the dark, grey skies may look dull, there is no reason your home should look drab.
Here are some home décor tips for the monsoon to help liven up your home and match the joy you feel.
- Natural greens – What is the first thing that comes to mind when we talk of the rain? Thriving greenery all around. Bring home large potted plants and get your balcony or deck looking vibrant with different shades of natural green. This is not only the best way to honour the monsoons but also the best way to add a spark to your home this season. What’s more, your plants will not need a lot of care during the rains.
- Pop of colour – Contrast the grey clouds and darkening skies with a bright touch of colour in your living room or bedroom. Add bold wall art or paint the balcony bright yellow, add a red throw rug, or add indigo crystal vases to the tables. Whatever you do, this is the time to go overboard and let your imagination run wild. If you are looking at making more permanent décor changes, consider adding a stained-glass partition or window pane.
- Beautiful blooms – This is the season when you can finally bring home fresh flowers and expect them to look pretty in your vases. Gone are the blazing summers and drooping, wilted blooms. Welcome, sweet-scented flowers. This is the season for hibiscus, balsam, marigolds, zinnia, and cosmos. If you want to plant some, you must consider adding a bougainvillaea vine to your balcony. This is also the season for jasmine or mogra to bloom, so wear a string in your hair.
- Festive décor – Monsoons bring a number of festivals, from Rath Yatra to Teej and Ganesh Puja to Raksha Bandhan. This is the right time to get back to your cultural roots and deck your home in brass décor. Add brass bells to the mandir door, place diyas and idols in the living room, and vases in your bedroom. Shop for handmade torans or door dressings and rangoli wall art.
- Mix it up – Monsoon is the season when a touch of quirk fits right in and doesn’t look out of place. The large flowery cushion covers you always wanted to try, that tie-and- dye fabric wall art you like, the bright patterned table runner, the crochet placemats – this is the season to get them out of storage and display them proudly around your home.
- Upholstery story – One of the top home décor tips for monsoons has less to do with aesthetics and more with comfort. Replace your heavy carpets with lighter cotton durees or hand-painted fabric rugs. Swap out the heavy velvet window dressings and hang some sheer curtains. These absorb any excess moisture, are easy to dry, and do not develop mould. That is the perfect way to add beauty and comfort to your home.
- Light ‘em up – The best way to drive away rainy-day blues is by adding lights to your home. String lights over your bed, large lamps in your living room, large crystal chandeliers, and stick LED strips under the tables to add a golden glow to the home. Drive away the damp, musty smell that moisture brings by lighting some scented candles in your home.
The rainy season is just as much about home care as it is about home décor. Apart from following these home decor tips for monsoon, you must prepare for the rains by fixing any leaky pipes, drying out your heavy clothes and shoes in the sun, and getting the electric wires fixed. You may want to invest in a good quality dehumidifier if you are allergic to pollen or live in a expect heavy rainfall.