FOR SOME FESTIVE VIBES

interior

Eid is fast approaching and after two long years of the pandemic, we’ll finally have an Eid free of the looming threat of a deadly virus. It means there will be a lot of catching up to do with friends and family, and resume the festivities in its fullest.

Whether you’re hosting a big or a small group of family and friends, decorating and decluttering around the house can make party prep easier and more enjoyable for everyone. With that in mind, this week You! has some top tips from experts to deck up your home for the upcoming festivities.

For starters, making some small updates around the house can keep your most-used spaces clean and tidy to make sure everyone is comfortable and having a good time. However, if you are looking for a complete overhaul of your home décor and a long-term change, it’s best to consult a professional. “This tip may sound self-serving but it is one meant in earnest: hire a professional. Interior designers and consultants will not only see your space with fresh eyes, but due to their training and experience will think of things that may never occur to you. Not only saving money in the long run but adding convenience as well. This does not mean that there should be a sense of detachment, in fact the opposite. Have them bring about your vision with their expertise. Add personal touches that reflect your style, beliefs and culture. Tell your story; just have them write it out,” says Karachi-based interior designer Sabiha Rita Hasan of Design 19 Studio.

“Just be yourself and go with what would make you feel good. It’s your space! The interior designers will then work in those parameters and give it the oomph,” agrees Interior Designer Ainee Shehzad.

However, not everyone can spare a budget this time of the year. So, if hiring someone is not possible, Rita suggests keeping it simple. “My best advice would be to keep things as simple as possible. Sometimes even a rearrangement of furniture around the room, and a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to inject new life into the space.”

Similarly, Ainee emphasises that good interiors does not mean spending large amounts of money. It just needs introspection, reflection and love to make the best use of available resources. For instance, if your living room seems a little dull, adding some pops of colour can liven up for your space instantly. And they can be as simple as adding colourful cushions to your grey sofas or even adding some fairy lights to give it a little festive look.

If you live in a metropolitan city, you would find homes in all shapes and sizes which is why décor should be customised to your need. And while decorating a big house gives you a lot of room (literally) to experiment, but a small home, such as apartments, can be tricky to work with. Rita says that with smaller spaces and budgets you have to have everything serve a purpose beyond aesthetics, and sometimes multiple purposes. “I would say decorating a space on a budget is about providing as much utility in every design element as possible. For instance, mirrors strategically placed have a room enlarging effect, banana and palm trees provide greenery while being low maintenance, sliding doors as opposed to ones that open outward save space. You can also make some small changes within the bigger elements like changing a lamp shade, cushion covers, or even a nice inexpensive vase with your favourite flowers.”

Similarly, Karachi-based interior designer, Beena Amin of BA Design Studio, believes that small changes go a long way too, especially if you don’t have a lot of time or moolah for renovations. “A rug would be amazing if you have limited budget for the home décor. You may find fantastic light fixtures in lower price, too. Knobs, handles of cabinets, doors and cupboards do not need a high budget to be replaced, but they make a subtle difference. They can enhance the entire interior décor of a home. Indoor plants work very well to décor a home in low budget amazingly. But remember to avoid excess of decorative ornaments; it would make all your décor appear overdone and tedious.”

Beena also stresses on keeping your comfort a priority in your surroundings as we all have realised its importance during our time in lockdowns.

If you are someone who loves to have a theme for a space, Rita recommends, “Wallpaper with their uncountable designs is a cost-effective solution to bring a finished look as well as provide a great opportunity to add a certain theme that reflects the interests of the person using that room. Same with a picture of something that has sentimental value being blown up in size and then placed within an interesting frame… a personal touch.”

One should always remember that the size of your house should never be a hindrance for converting it into your dream house. With some pops of colour and some nice furnishings, anyone can make their space attractive. So, go on, and give your house a festive makeover!