Diwali, the festival of lights, is not just a celebration of good over evil, but also a time to transform our homes into a warm and welcoming space. Simple decorations can drastically uplift the festive spirit and leave your home looking beautiful and inviting. This blog offers a collection of easy yet elegant Diwali decoration ideas that you can use to create lasting memories with your family and friends. With a little planning and locally available items or online purchases, you can give your home a stunning makeover this Diwali.
Diwali Memories from Childhood
Growing up, Diwali preparations in our family would start weeks in advance. The excitement of cleaning and decorating the house, shopping for new clothes, and preparing sweets was contagious. The air was filled with anticipation, and the markets were buzzing with festive energy. Back then, decorating our home inside and out was an important tradition, something that added to the magic of the season.
Celebrating Diwali Abroad
For those of us living outside India, the experience of celebrating Diwali can be a bit different. Diwali isn’t celebrated widely in other countries, and you don’t see the same level of excitement in the streets or markets. Despite this, we put in every effort to ensure our children grow up with the same cultural traditions we did. Decorating the house is a big part of keeping that spirit alive, and it helps us pass on the joy of Diwali to the next generation.
Why Diwali Decorations Matter
Each year, I make an effort to excite my kids with Diwali decorations, lights, and firecrackers. This has now become a family tradition that they eagerly look forward to every year. Even if you’re busy, remember that some decoration is better than none. Below, I share some of the decoration ideas we use at home. You can adopt these ideas as they are, or tweak them to suit your space and preferences.
Diwali Lighting – Festival of Lights
As the festival of lights, no Diwali celebration is complete without outdoor lighting. My husband takes on the responsibility of illuminating our home, and his efforts always leave the neighborhood in awe. Professional installers handled the roof lining lights, costing around $500, but the rest of the lighting was done by him using a regular ladder. He opted for programmable LED rope lights for the driveway and lamp-post and used net-style LED lights for the trees, pillars, and large planters. LED string lights were also wrapped around the lamp-post, forming a dazzling pyramid of light.
Diwali Decorations – A Fun Family Activity
One of the best parts of Diwali is that it’s a family affair. My kids love helping with the decorations, making it a bonding activity for all of us. Even our toddler gets involved, handing tools to my husband and helping organize the rope lights. It’s important to ensure safety, so we always use GFCI-protected circuits and take precautions to avoid electrical hazards
Main Entrance Diwali Decoration
In Indian tradition, the entrance to the home holds great significance, especially during Diwali. The main door is often the focus of decoration, with torans (door hangings), flowers, and diyas (earthen lamps) adorning the entryway. I always bring back a toran from my trips to India, and decorative diyas are easy to find at Indian grocery stores or on Amazon. This simple yet elegant décor gives our home a traditional and festive feel.
Artificial Flowers vs. Natural Flowers
For Diwali, I use a mix of artificial and natural flowers. After researching various options, I purchased some beautiful artificial flowers from Amazon that look and feel just like the real thing. These, combined with fresh flowers from our garden and the local store, bring a vibrant touch to our décor. The lamps I use are from Pier1 Imports, adding a classy, modern element to the traditional setup.
Rangoli – Keeping It Simple
Rangoli is an integral part of Diwali decorations, and it can be created using colorful powders, flowers, or both. Since I have a toddler running around, I opted for a simple flower-based design that could be completed in under 15 minutes. This quick and easy solution not only looks beautiful but is also safe for small children.
Entry Foyer – Creating Anticipation
The entry foyer is the first thing guests see when they walk into your home, so it’s important to set the right tone. I created a welcoming space with a Ganesh idol centerpiece, placed on a beaded medallion table runner and surrounded by brass artifacts and tea-light candle holders. To add a personal touch, I used my own collection of bangles as candle holders. The result is a festive yet elegant look that invites guests to explore the rest of the house.
Living Area Diwali Decorations
Inside the house, simple touches can create a festive atmosphere. In my living room, I decorate the coffee table with candles and flowers. Most of these items are from Pier1 Imports, which is one of my favorite stores for home décor. I love collecting runners and trays, which I use to create defined spaces and focal points. Combining these with other decorative items like kundan rangolis brings an ethnic touch to the room.
Fireplace Diwali Decorations
The fireplace is a focal point in many homes, and it’s a great space to showcase ethnic décor during Diwali. I decorated our fireplace with brass musical instruments and Nettipattam-adorned elephant heads that I bought during a trip to Kerala. These unique pieces add an authentic Indian vibe to the room, while also serving as conversation starters.
Pooja Room Diwali Decorations
Finally, the most important area to decorate for Diwali is the pooja room or temple. Lakshmi pooja is the heart of Diwali celebrations, and the temple must reflect the significance of the occasion. I use a handcrafted wooden temple adorned with tulle fabric, peacock feathers, and pearl decorations to create a beautiful backdrop for our pooja. Even though space is limited in our home, I make sure to add small touches like swastika stickers and Laxmi footprints to enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
Conclusion: Making Your Home Shine this Diwali
These simple Diwali decoration ideas are easy to implement and can transform your home into a festive haven. Whether you’re decorating with your family or doing it solo, each effort adds to the joy and spirit of Diwali. From lighting up the exterior to adding personal touches inside, every small decoration counts. So, this Diwali, take the time to decorate your home and create beautiful memories that your family will cherish for years to come.