The basic idea of monsoon decor is to add colour to your space by way of bright, cheerful yellow, orange or red. At the same time, it is important to ensure that there's no moisture inside the house, writes Ruth Dsouza Prabhu
We are still waiting for the rain gods to show us what they have got, and it's about time we get our homes prepped for the rains. The interiors of your home definitely need some tweaking to manage the onslaught of wetness and sludge.
"But before that you need to make sure that your home stays safe from the common problems associated with rains, leaky roofs, cupboards and doors that expand and contract...just some of the things you need to be prepared for," says Laxmi S, an independent interior designing consultant.
Weather-proofing
No matter what the size of your home is or whether you live in an apartment or an independent home, here are a few things Laxmi feels you need to check on before the rain sets in.
Leaks from window cracks and from the ceiling are pretty common, especially if you live in low-lying areas or are placed directly below a terrace, open to the rain. After the first shower, assess all your windows and open spaces and look out for leaks and have them sealed.
Of course if you are the DIY kind of person you will be able to do it yourself. Else you can always get in an expert to do it. Check with your electrician or plumber for a handyman who helps with these kinds of jobs.
Call in the electrician and have him assess all your electrical points, especially those for heavy duty electronics and gadgets. There is the danger of a short circuit and you should keep every member of your family safe from this.
Wooden doors have a tendency to swell in the monsoon, making some doors hold fast. Install door stoppers or ensure that you know when children and elders are closing the doors behind them so you can keep track.
If you have plants indoors, take them out. This reduces the moisture inside the house and brings down the chances of insects making themselves comfortable in your home. Also roll away carpets at this time.
If you can ensure cross ventilation during a downpour, this will remove all the moisture that settles in your home. Else make sure to ventilate your homes as much as possible after a shower.
Now that is how you would like your home to be in the monsoon. All the gloominess that comes with rain can instantly be lifted the moment you step into a bright home. "The basic idea of monsoon decor is to brighten up your space and include elements that will ensure no moisture gathers around and all looks beautiful at the same time," says Shubhada N, an interior designer.
Redoing your decor for the monsoon doesn't mean that you have to spend a bomb on new furnishings and accessories. A little mix and match and a few replacements should do the trick nicely.
Start with clearing up the place - get rid of your carpets, foot mats, sofa covers or any such material that may absorb moisture and retain it.
Wrapping them all up in plastic will ensure that they are not covered with fungus when you are ready for them again.
If you must have carpets, look for those made of plastic that are easy to dry off; they may not have the comfort factor you are looking for, but they can brighten up spots as throw rugs with their brilliant colour schemes.
Sheer curtains
Take off all your heavy-duty woollen curtains that are still hanging on from winter and replace them with light ones that do not have a lining. Sheer materials like lace or organza will work really well here. Not only can you bring in diffused light when the sun peeks out a bit, you also have your privacy well taken care of.
Take off paintings from walls and place a decor item that can catch and reflect light. Wind chimes with crystals hanging from them, or even a crystal based light fixture can help spread more light around.
If you have an empty hook, bring out an ornate mirror that you may have hanging in the bedroom and place it such that it reflects that largest point of natural light, like a window or a balcony. This will give you some additional light.
These are just some of the ways in which you can brighten up your space for the monsoon. Go minimalistic and look for bright colours that you may otherwise shy away from.
We are still waiting for the rain gods to show us what they have got, and it's about time we get our homes prepped for the rains. The interiors of your home definitely need some tweaking to manage the onslaught of wetness and sludge.
"But before that you need to make sure that your home stays safe from the common problems associated with rains, leaky roofs, cupboards and doors that expand and contract...just some of the things you need to be prepared for," says Laxmi S, an independent interior designing consultant.
Weather-proofing
No matter what the size of your home is or whether you live in an apartment or an independent home, here are a few things Laxmi feels you need to check on before the rain sets in.
Leaks from window cracks and from the ceiling are pretty common, especially if you live in low-lying areas or are placed directly below a terrace, open to the rain. After the first shower, assess all your windows and open spaces and look out for leaks and have them sealed.
Of course if you are the DIY kind of person you will be able to do it yourself. Else you can always get in an expert to do it. Check with your electrician or plumber for a handyman who helps with these kinds of jobs.
Call in the electrician and have him assess all your electrical points, especially those for heavy duty electronics and gadgets. There is the danger of a short circuit and you should keep every member of your family safe from this.
Wooden doors have a tendency to swell in the monsoon, making some doors hold fast. Install door stoppers or ensure that you know when children and elders are closing the doors behind them so you can keep track.
If you have plants indoors, take them out. This reduces the moisture inside the house and brings down the chances of insects making themselves comfortable in your home. Also roll away carpets at this time.
If you can ensure cross ventilation during a downpour, this will remove all the moisture that settles in your home. Else make sure to ventilate your homes as much as possible after a shower.
Now that is how you would like your home to be in the monsoon. All the gloominess that comes with rain can instantly be lifted the moment you step into a bright home. "The basic idea of monsoon decor is to brighten up your space and include elements that will ensure no moisture gathers around and all looks beautiful at the same time," says Shubhada N, an interior designer.
Redoing your decor for the monsoon doesn't mean that you have to spend a bomb on new furnishings and accessories. A little mix and match and a few replacements should do the trick nicely.
Start with clearing up the place - get rid of your carpets, foot mats, sofa covers or any such material that may absorb moisture and retain it.
Wrapping them all up in plastic will ensure that they are not covered with fungus when you are ready for them again.
If you must have carpets, look for those made of plastic that are easy to dry off; they may not have the comfort factor you are looking for, but they can brighten up spots as throw rugs with their brilliant colour schemes.
Sheer curtains
Take off all your heavy-duty woollen curtains that are still hanging on from winter and replace them with light ones that do not have a lining. Sheer materials like lace or organza will work really well here. Not only can you bring in diffused light when the sun peeks out a bit, you also have your privacy well taken care of.
Take off paintings from walls and place a decor item that can catch and reflect light. Wind chimes with crystals hanging from them, or even a crystal based light fixture can help spread more light around.
If you have an empty hook, bring out an ornate mirror that you may have hanging in the bedroom and place it such that it reflects that largest point of natural light, like a window or a balcony. This will give you some additional light.
These are just some of the ways in which you can brighten up your space for the monsoon. Go minimalistic and look for bright colours that you may otherwise shy away from.