Indianisms in interior design

The Prayer Room

Prayer rooms or at least a little niche for the favourite gods of the house were once a ubiquitous feature of Indian homes. As homes became smaller, these spaces for introspection have also changed in character, but to make up for the reduction in space, the prayer room today is also a site for luxurious design interventions. In addition to being a space for spiritual practice, it must also essentially contain storage for its accouterments, such as books, candles, incense sticks and other objects.

The Courtyard

Be it Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal or Ladakh, courtyards have always been a prominent feature of traditional design across the country. Courtyards are a powerful spatial element that allows flexibility for diverse climatic conditions. It is an interesting area as it blends the outside with the inside, while also becoming a focal point for conversations and gatherings. Entry of fresh air, sunlight and rain through these courtyards makes such houses more sustainable and scenic.

The Verandah

In traditional homes, much of home life took place in public areas with rooms exclusively meant for rest. Given the climate in different parts of the country, spending time outdoors was also a necessity rather than an indulgence. In this type of living room, a verandah, wrapped along the periphery of the house, allowed for a common area for the family and others to connect without going into the house. These spaces also became the center of activity during celebrations as well as daily rituals. 

Low Seating

Being seated close to the ground or floor is considered healthy and auspicious. Most of our seating arrangements are therefore closer to the floor. The baithak is such an arrangement, usually placed in community spaces like the living room, dining room and prayer room as a sign of being humble and grounded in the environment. In many parts of the country, it is also common to sit down on the floor to eat, a practice that is considered good for digestion. Contemporary design studios have adapted this classic seating arrangement to modern interiors, with several low-seating designs. 

Dual Color Walls

Dual-coloured walls were a hallmark of many homes, particularly in the South, where contrasting colors were partnered together. White-and-green, white-and-maroon, were common combinations. Usually, a lighter shade, such as white or cream went on top, while a deeper darker color was placed at the bottom. These two-tone walls were also designed in such a way that the darker shade covered areas likely to be affected by people’s hands, dust and dirt. Some combinations, like the maroon and white went well with the dark red or black oxide floors. 

Wet and Dry Kitchens

Indian architects and designers understand the nuanced differences between dry and wet kitchens. Many Indian homes, particularly houses, have more than one kitchen in order to facilitate different kinds of functions. Traditional Indian meals being what they are, various parts of the process often have designated areas. A wet kitchen is devoted to the messy preparatory steps of cooking such as grating, grinding and such, but also for washing up, while cooking usually takes place in the dry kitchen. 

Niche Storage

Recessed storage is a simple solution seen in many Indian homes. It is a minimalistic option, one that involves nothing more than creating a dug out crevice that can be used as a space for placing clothing or for displaying objects. This type of storage solution allows for space optimisation, and avoids the need for unnecessary furniture. In contemporary homes, these niches are accentuated with lighting for display. It is more than just a practical solution, it is a statement feature.