The Diwali mood has officially set in, and that means your wardrobe, home, and office spaces deserve a refreshment. While you deck yourself in only the finest, fussing over what to wear at the Diwali party and the pooja, why should your humble abode and your 9-5 corner stay behind? If you’re thinking it’s too late to decorate – then you’re in the right place. You can salvage your decor game with the aptest Diwali decoration ideas in a jiffy. From quaint & aesthetic lighting to centrepieces, floral finds to functional essentials and beyond, here, we’ve rounded up the best answers to the question How do you decorate for Diwali?
All you have to do is take notes (and then make your way to the market.)
Diwali Home Decoration Ideas
The festival of lights is an exciting time – but for homebodies and decor aficionados, it’s the days leading up to it that really count. They’re the ones always one step ahead in the decorating game. But, even they could use some ideas. So for the rookies and the connoisseurs alike, here are some decor cues to incorporate into Diwali decorations at home.
1. Stock Up On Genda Phool
A common misconception regarding Genda is that its usage should be limited to weddings and poojas. But what you may not realise is that marigold flowers are the one type of flowers that look simply stunning against every backdrop and decor – elevating it, even. This Diwali, use these underestimated beauties for Diwali flower decoration and you know they’ll serve every purpose! From making your home more fragrant to giving your guests a visual treat, the generous marigold flower does it all.
2. Hand-Painted Diya Decoration Ideas
When Lord Ram returned home after 14 years in exile, the people of Ayodhya greeted him with an onslaught of oil lamps, all shining bright to mark his arrival. This is why Diya decoration holds great significance for the festival of Diwali. They represent the triumph of good over evil and demand to be treated with utmost importance on this special day. This time around, instead of just sticking to the store-bought earthen lamps, get your creative juices flowing for Diwali decoration ideas!
3. Don’t Shy Away From String Lights
Diwali, after all, is known as the festival of lights! Reminiscent of Ayodhya lightning up to welcome Lord Rama, in today’s time, you’ll see entire streets and houses adorned with the seemingly cliche but extremely beautiful strings of light. As opposed to a few years ago, they now come in a very wide variety, from various intricate shapes to objects and twinkling ones too!
4. DIY Wall Decorations For Added Effect
When it comes to Diwali decoration ideas, we believe that nothing is ‘too much’ and that no wall or corner should be left blank. So if you’ve got a wall in your home that you feel would make for a great backdrop for some DIY decorations, then put it to good use. YouTube tutorials are your best friends for this! Just search: How do you make easy Diwali decorations?
5. Diwali Decorations With Urlis
Of South Indian descent, urlis are wide-mouth, shallow and round vessels which can be either plain or decorative. Urlis made from bronze or copper are often used for home decor. They are filled with water and laid with flowers or flower petals that float around, creating a mesmerizing aura! For festive occasions, people tend to gravitate towards stone-studded or embellished urlis to create a stunning space setting. There are tons of ways to decorate urlis, and they will make for a great centrepiece for your Diwali decor.
6. Accentuate With Idols & Sculptures
Bring a hint of craft and culture to your space with idols and sculptures. Our country is world-renowned for idol worship, and idols of various gods are kept in homes and temples. It’s worth it to invest in meticulously crafted idols for your Diwali decoration ideas and place them either in the pooja room or on a shelf in the living room alongside other decorations. They’re highly intricate and instantly infuse your space with a divine feeling. Know how to do Diwali Lakshmi Pooja.
7. Elevate Your Space With Scented Candles
A game-changer in the wellness industry, scented candles don’t just make for great Diwali gift ideas but also add that extra ‘oomph’ to your humble abode. Keep it smelling fresh and fragrant with just the right scents. You can also offset the lingering smell of crackers with this so that your guests are left feeling refreshed even with the bustle outside. From one wick to three wicks, there are umpteen options!
8. Go For Gold
Since Diwali is also known to be the most prosperous time of the year, it’s only obvious that you should bring a hint of ‘gold’ to your home too. While people tend to buy gold on Dhanteras, you can take the tradition a step further with gold-toned decor and wall hangings. Everything from luminous chandeliers to other golden stuff can be your best bet.
9. Beautify With Mandala Art
Synonymous with culture, Mandalas have been quite the rage in the world of art. Bring the Mandala magic into your home with Diwali decoration ideas for the living room entailing either paintings or wall hangings with intricate detailing. Choose between a black & white mandala or a coloured one, whichever goes best with your overall Diwali decoration ideas. If you’re feeling especially artsy, bring out your craft kit and get designing!
10. Miniature Diwali Rangoli Ideas
Diwali calls for rangolis, regardless of how artsy you are. Rangolis are stunning designs created with coloured sand or rangoli powder, easily available at your local supermarkets or stationery stores. Instead of creating one large rangoli though, adorn your corners with miniature designs and versions that infuse your space with radiance and zest. Be sure that the corners you choose are a bit secluded so that nobody accidentally wipes them off.
11. Place Your Candles In Candle Holders
Maximise the allure of your house with the best Diwali Party Ideas by investing in antique, minimal or modish candle stands perfect to place your tealights or candles in. Whether you’re a fan of more elaborate and regal designs or prefer something simple, it doesn’t take away from the charm of these functional yet striking decor pieces. We suggest visiting your nearest decor store instead of ordering online so you can see firsthand how it’ll fit into the rest of your decor plan. Candle holders can also be DIY-ed with just a few glasses and extra materials.
12. Festive Table Settings
One of the most essential Diwali decoration ideas is apt table settings that encapsulate what the festival is really about; togetherness and joy (also tons of sweets and farsan). Make sure your table setting is laid out well, and you have all the bases covered from sweets to paper towels to toothpicks for ease and beyond. The serve-ware you use should not be dull or faded as we need to ensure you Quick Diwali Recipes are a hit.
Diwali Decoration Ideas For Office
Bring the Diwali vibes with you to your 9-5! While everyone is decked up in Indian wear, why not treat your space with the same enthusiasm? Let’s take a look at the top ways to decorate your office space or desk, and make it celebration-ready.
1. Switch To LED Tea-Light Diyas
Trade oil lamp diyas for battery-operated, LED ones to avoid any fire hazard that may arise with the former’s use. These Diwali decoration items look just as pretty and take away the hassle of keeping things intact or fussing over the oil. It also ensures that your colleagues can move around freely, as well as you, without the looming headache of being cautious so as to not cause any accidental damage in the spirit of the festivities.
2. Lights In Glass Bottles
Want to light up your desk space but string lights are a no-go? Fret not; as there is a simple alternative to it. Those waste glass bottles that are lying around your house can be put to good use for Diwali decoration ideas. Put some battery-operated fairy lights in them and either place them in pairs or as a part of a whole desk setting. You can also choose to paint the bottle with acrylic paints and create some fabulous DIY designs!
3. Jazz Up With Paper Rosettes
Paper rosettes are easy to make yet very effective decor elements. You can experiment with an array of colours to complement your workspace setting. All you’ll need is two strips of paper folded in a concertina fold. Use glue to join the stripes, make a circle and press it flat. Using a glue gun, stick a card circle on both the front and the back. If you want to explore more ways to make this, YouTube is your best friend.
4. DIY Paper Cup Lights
If you’re indeed allowed to hang up string lights, then paper cup lights will be a unique and stunning way to update the regular miniature bulbs. All you need is tiny paper cups and string lights. Make a crisscross cut along the base edges of the cups and just insert a bunch of bulbs into it. Just make sure the cuts are too wide so as to avoid the cups from falling off.
5. Get Artsy
When all else fails, look up some stunning and colourful paper Diwali decoration ideas like flowers and cutouts which are also easy to achieve. You can even adorn your board with some paint if you’ve got the time and permission. Make sure to use bright colours in all your decor. You want your cubicle to come alive with radiance and joy on this auspicious occasion!
6. Coasters For Your Coffee Mugs
If you’re not a fan of over-the-top decor, then subtlety is key. While we know that using coasters in the office may crown you as a sophisticated colleague, there’s a sense of relief in knowing that they’re absolutely worth it if they look great on your desk! Find coasters that complement your go-to coffee mugs, or simply invest in ones with ethnic motifs to fully embrace your roots.
7. Illuminate Your Plants
Another simple way to make your desk or cubicle come to life is by stringing lights around your plant babies. Battery-operated string lights work great for this, but if your office has much bigger planters, then the normal ones should do too for Diwali light decorations.
8. Turn To Flower Petals
Use loose flowers or scatter flower petals onto your desk or any other space you’d like to decorate. You can suspend them from your ceiling or the edges of tabletops by threading them together. They’re excellent to imbibe that festive feeling! If you’re still confused, don’t hesitate to look for ideas and inspiration online.
We hope you have a happy and prosperous Diwali, with only the best memories with your dear ones – and of course, punctuated by the finest Diwali decoration ideas.
Also Read: Diwali Wishes