What is home décor for young renters?

Shriya Goyal, 27, Features Writer, Mumbai

“From when I was a kid, I’ve been very attached to elephants, my family home in Surat is filled with elephant toys and artefacts. So in my Mumbai flat too, I have an elephant keychain that brings me comfort. Over the last few years, my flatmate and I have become like sisters. We have a common group of friends who we host once a month. We’ve even planned low seating in the living room to accommodate more people. Our décor is a mix of buys from Amazon and DIY projects. We bought a microwave recently and couldn’t throw the box. So I stitched a pink jacquard cover for it, at least it looks good lying around now. We also have a bunch of artwork that have personal meaning. My flatmate and I made two of the paintings at a workshop while a friend gifted us a woven canvas. We have fit so well into each other’s lives that I can’t imagine living with anyone else now.”

Rahul Jadhav, 32, Content Publisher, Bengaluru

“For me, home is a place where you come back at the end of a tiring day and feel instantly calm and serene. I have lived in my 1BHK for about three years now, and have filled it with little plants that bring me happiness. They even attract butterflies so sometimes I have my morning coffee with colourful butterflies sitting on my hand. I have a seven feet tall Tabebuia Rosea tree that was just a sapling when I moved. I love that as I evolve, things in the house are growing too. I avoid spending money on décor and instead try to create something myself or with friends. I’ve crocheted a sofa throw and coasters, and made Lino block prints for my wall of memories. I’m a huge Game of Thrones fan so I’ve framed the maps from that fictional universe and hung them up too. I also have two books signed by George R. R. Martin that I’ve displayed very proudly. I may not have a defined aesthetic in my home but it’s an amalgamation of who I am and all the things I love.”

Anmol, 24, Associate Producer, Mumbai

“The first time I met my flatmate we had a two-hour-long conversation about everything you needed to know while sharing a house. From finances and personal space to our professions and everyday timings, we were aligned and that’s why our space feels like a home. Big windows were a non-negotiable for both of us. We went to Oshiwara market to buy yellow lights and beautiful lamps. We happened to be obsessed with the colour teal so that became the colour palette of the house, the side table, the floor mirror even our sofa is blue. We got a tiny yellow circular table to contrast the sofa. Even though our rooms are different—she has many posters and lamps, mine is more minimal—we’ve created such a safe space that when we enter each other’s rooms it feels like an extension of the home.”

Manasvi Pote, 21, Journalist, Bengaluru

“Until recently I shared my cozy 1BHK with a flatmate. The fridge became our playground, we had a magnetic planner where we would scribble daily tasks, what we’re craving for dinner or even inside jokes. But now it’s just me and it’s been really special to see the space evolve. I’ve gotten a lot of pieces to make the home mine—there’s a Van Gogh-themed lamp, a black and gold tapestry of the sun and the moon, a vinyl recorder, a Halina Paulette vintage camera, all things I love. I also have six small mirrors on the wall, each with an affirmation so when I look at my reflection, I’m not just reminded of how I look but what I need to hear. My house isn’t Pinterest-perfect but it’s me, in every messy and meaningful way. It reflects my personality—vibrant, cool, loud, a bit artsy and old school.”

Soumita Halder, 21, Student, Bengaluru

“When I first moved to Bangalore I was staying in a PG and that felt impersonal and disconnected. It was important for me to live in a space I could make mine and with someone who respected my creative side, I got that with my flatmate. We share a 1BHK and are constantly doing DIY projects together whether it’s painting on the wall (pray that we get our security deposit back!) or building a memory nook with Polaroid pictures. We also leave each other sticky notes on the fridge as a reminder that we’re not alone in this city. Luckily, we both love plushies so our house is full of them. We even upcycled glass bottles into vases and placed tabletop mirrors so they reflect light and make the room feel like a soft, fairy tale. These are the little ways in which we make the house special to us while being on a college student budget.”