Create Sparkle with Candles
Although small, tealights play a large role in Diwali decor. Diyas, or oil lamps, are traditional accents found throughout homes. They are typically filled with oil and a candle wick, but if you choose to make one yourself, an easy alternative is positioning a tealight in the center of the candle holder instead. For the ceremony of puja, a traditional prayer ritual, center a small candle on a serving tray. Accompany it with its other components: incense, a bell, water cup, spoon and small container for powder. Use candles in more decorative ways, too. Fill a punch bowl with water and flower petals, then light and float an abundance of the tealights in the bowl. Put it on a coffee table or dining table for an eye-catching centerpiece. Go for a bold statement by making your candles the only source of light in the room—see if their glow gives off the same luminescence as a sconce or pendant. If it doesn’t, place numerous pillar candles on the console table, side table and accent table until you achieve a desired brightness.
Incorporate Color with Flowers
No Diwali decor ideas are complete without vibrant flowers. Their colorful makeup is fashioned into a statement piece that acts as one of the key elements of Diwali. Known as Rangoli, celebrants of the festival make breathtaking floor-art from the botanicals. Use faux flowers, such as roses, lilies or poppies, and arrange them in a geometrical design. Families also add in small lights for a striking contrast. If space is at a premium, try including flowers into your decor in other ways—opt for floral garlands. Hang multiple strands from a doorway, tightly dangling them next to each other to create a fragrant threshold through which guests can walk. Or, weave them throughout your fireplace mantel for a pop of color in the living room. To embody the spirit of Diwali in the home’s bedrooms, hang a few strings of petals from the curtain rods and in between each set of window panels. As a final touch, replenish all of the vases with a seasonal bouquet infused with some bright botanicals.
Sweeten Things Up with Dessert
A major component of Diwali that everyone (especially the kids) loves is the sweets. Numerous households around the world take inspiration from Diwali festival food and its sugary concoctions. If you’re entertaining family and friends, consider setting up a dessert table in the dining room so they can enjoy some tasty snacks. Over a vibrant tablecloth, place one or two other colored table runners. A patterned one brings additional eclectic flair. Set out serving bowls and fill them with various candies—jaleebi, barfi and laddu are all favorites. If you prefer a frozen dessert, present a serving of kulfi in a chilled bowl instead. On the side of the table, devote a spot for dessert plates, ice cream bowls, flatware and paper napkins. Add a few highball glasses to directly serve ginger lemonade from the punch bowl. If you prefer a chic finish to the tablescape, opt for glass dinnerware that complements the colors of the table. Or, for added appeal, find dishes in coordinating colors.
Each year, the holiday brings joy, laughter and fun to families throughout the world. The beautiful and one-of-a-kind lighting makes Diwali a memorable holiday filled with numerous ways of celebrating. Do you have a unique way of decorating? Share us your Diwali decor ideas using #CrateStyle.
