How to Design a Modern Indian Home
Here are ways to strike a perfect balance between heritage and contemporary Indian decor
India is a melting pot. Cultures, histories, regions and communities have coexisted here since centuries. Contemporary Indian homes take a cue from this confluence and merge heritage and ethnic pieces with modern style for a look that’s laid back, rooted, contemporary and yet extremely soulful. So if you wish to design a space that’s reminiscent of the glory of yesteryears in a setting that’s fresh – here’s a design checklist for you:
Use Indian flooring with modern furniture
Often thought as rich and opulent, Indian decor can also be minimal and simple; one could very well play with clean, modern furniture with flooring tiles of terracotta or athangudi (the traditional handmade ceramic tiles from Chettinad, Tamil Nadu) to get the fusion look. Note how modern and clean lines of the furniture raises the style quotient of this Indian home that features traditional yellow athangudi tiles.
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Often thought as rich and opulent, Indian decor can also be minimal and simple; one could very well play with clean, modern furniture with flooring tiles of terracotta or athangudi (the traditional handmade ceramic tiles from Chettinad, Tamil Nadu) to get the fusion look. Note how modern and clean lines of the furniture raises the style quotient of this Indian home that features traditional yellow athangudi tiles.
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Give the old a coat of bright paint
Look at these simple rustic chairs that are so typical of old Indian homes. Hit the countryside and you’ll still find a few of these below a tree, with a mirror hung from one of its branch – this is pretty much what a barber’s chair looks like in the Indian rural landscape.
Tell you what? I wouldn’t mind owning these gorgeous chairs that have received a fresh lease of life. I love how they have been modernised with a pop of colour and paired with an yellow table, which looks to me like an old kitchen table. With the rest of the space done up in neutral colours, this modular kitchen really aces bringing the two sensibilities together.
New Ways to Use Paints in Your Home
Look at these simple rustic chairs that are so typical of old Indian homes. Hit the countryside and you’ll still find a few of these below a tree, with a mirror hung from one of its branch – this is pretty much what a barber’s chair looks like in the Indian rural landscape.
Tell you what? I wouldn’t mind owning these gorgeous chairs that have received a fresh lease of life. I love how they have been modernised with a pop of colour and paired with an yellow table, which looks to me like an old kitchen table. With the rest of the space done up in neutral colours, this modular kitchen really aces bringing the two sensibilities together.
New Ways to Use Paints in Your Home
Use colours generously
Studded with elements that say Indian – right from the kalash which is used to store water to the charpai (a four-legged bench with a woven-rope seat) that is typical of dhabas (small eateries on highways) and village homes, this space, however, evokes a French farmhouse feel thanks to the colour scheme of nudes and cheerful pastels. The colours are a gamechanger in this Indian setting. This is an excellent way to create a modern Indian space when you do not want to bring in new or contemporary furniture.
Studded with elements that say Indian – right from the kalash which is used to store water to the charpai (a four-legged bench with a woven-rope seat) that is typical of dhabas (small eateries on highways) and village homes, this space, however, evokes a French farmhouse feel thanks to the colour scheme of nudes and cheerful pastels. The colours are a gamechanger in this Indian setting. This is an excellent way to create a modern Indian space when you do not want to bring in new or contemporary furniture.
Create areas of interest with traditional furniture
In a rather minimalistic and modern space, this rocking chair that is reminiscent of Indian porches brings in so much character. Set beside a chalk board and an ottoman cushion covered in cheery modern fabric, it creates a corner that nudges one to just take it easy.
In a rather minimalistic and modern space, this rocking chair that is reminiscent of Indian porches brings in so much character. Set beside a chalk board and an ottoman cushion covered in cheery modern fabric, it creates a corner that nudges one to just take it easy.
Bring in tribal, folk art
This version of Gond art (traditional tribal art noted for its rich colour and detailing) on the wall adds a strong Indian vibe without seeking attention at all. The trick is to keep it minimal yet impactful, which turns the room into a rather Scandi-style space.
Tips: Tribal art like Madhubani and Warli can work really well in contemporary spaces as well.
This version of Gond art (traditional tribal art noted for its rich colour and detailing) on the wall adds a strong Indian vibe without seeking attention at all. The trick is to keep it minimal yet impactful, which turns the room into a rather Scandi-style space.
Tips: Tribal art like Madhubani and Warli can work really well in contemporary spaces as well.
Also bring back the four-poster
Antique Indian beds were often furnished with a frame, held up by four posts to hang mosquito nets from. With the advancement in technology – the coolest of them being mosquito patches and air conditioning – somehow these just vanished. Bring back the charm of a four-poster in your modern setting and dress it up with ruffles, sheers and linen.
Bold Beds That Command Attention
Antique Indian beds were often furnished with a frame, held up by four posts to hang mosquito nets from. With the advancement in technology – the coolest of them being mosquito patches and air conditioning – somehow these just vanished. Bring back the charm of a four-poster in your modern setting and dress it up with ruffles, sheers and linen.
Bold Beds That Command Attention
Create sumptuous layers with fabric and texture
I can think of nothing that describes India as well as its rich wealth of fabric and textiles. To add a bit of good old Indian or desi depth to your modern home, take inspiration from the plethora of fabrics and textures that this country offers, like silk and khadi, the hand-spun and hand-woven fabric that is quintessentially Indian.
Tip: Layer rich silk with cottons. A kalamkari (hand-painted or block-printed) quilt offsetting a solid silk bedspread is the bed of our dreams. Alternatively, soft white cotton set off by raw silk accents also looks stunning. For drapes, switch block-printed cottons that are oh-so-perfect for Indian summers.
Read more:
15 Beautiful Living Rooms on Houzz India
How to Infuse Traditional Indian Elements Into Your Modern Home
Tell us:
Were these tips helpful? Share your suggestions in Comments.
I can think of nothing that describes India as well as its rich wealth of fabric and textiles. To add a bit of good old Indian or desi depth to your modern home, take inspiration from the plethora of fabrics and textures that this country offers, like silk and khadi, the hand-spun and hand-woven fabric that is quintessentially Indian.
Tip: Layer rich silk with cottons. A kalamkari (hand-painted or block-printed) quilt offsetting a solid silk bedspread is the bed of our dreams. Alternatively, soft white cotton set off by raw silk accents also looks stunning. For drapes, switch block-printed cottons that are oh-so-perfect for Indian summers.
Read more:
15 Beautiful Living Rooms on Houzz India
How to Infuse Traditional Indian Elements Into Your Modern Home
Tell us:
Were these tips helpful? Share your suggestions in Comments.
Often intricately carved, and made from teak or sheesham (Indian rosewood), traditional Indian furniture is usually robust in make and often has a rustic quality. To get that perfect mix of modern and Indian style, bring handcrafted statement Indian furniture within a modern layout. (By a modern layout I mean one that offers clean lines, simple proportions, open space and abundant natural light.)
I’m swooning over this balcony area here … it combines the heavy handcrafted table with faux animal-head trophies mounted on the wall and clean-lined chairs. Note the table fan on a tripod – table fans were a part of every Indian house until a decade or two when air coolers started replacing them.