Home, sweet homeThe house now has a new meaning, courtsey the lockdown. Shouldn't it reflect that change?

Manpriya Singh

To give the 200 square feet studio apartment the illusion of space is nothing short of magical realism! It’s won’t be a long while before we step outside, but it will definitely be a long while before we start staying put outside. Lockdown has redefined how home is not just the place you come back to at the end of the day; in fact it can be your only space in the world. Starting with space; well, if you don’t have it, how about creating some. Chandigarh-based interior experts take over from here…

Ajay Sharma, from Generation Next Design, starts with the single thing occupying most space in the house—furniture. “We should have minimal furniture so as to get more walking space. It helps positivity and light to flow in. Talking of light, it makes sense to have fabrics of sofas, chairs, bed and curtains in light colour.” Unless, of course, pets and kids are involved in the picture!

Place it right

As you move all the unnecessary furniture up the loft, it’s time to pull out a few of them. “Old memories for example. We should change the photo frames or their placement or redesign the old family pictures, so as to relive beautiful memories,” adds Ajay, emphasising how less furniture and more plants can completely transform any space. “One can choose from umpteen sizes and colours of ceramic pots and place them as per the space – on the dining table, working spaces, washrooms, corners. It will refresh one’s soul.”

Pleasing vibes

It is a concept that Gurjot Shan, head, interior design department, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, gives her nod to as well. “There is a symbiotic relationship between humans and mother nature. A home in tune with nature adds a pleasing vibe, which the world needs right now. Moreover, plants, big or small, like ferns, snake plant, bamboo, areca palm, aloe vera, green spider or money plant, placed in different corners of the house not only add adequate greenery and provide an aesthetic touch, but purify indoor quality.”

Personally, she also feels it is all the more essential to get rid of clutter and uplift our spaces to facilitate spending more time at home. “We have to uplift our home spaces into a tranquil dwelling place, but in order to achieve that, it’s important to rearrange, get creative with lighting and accessorise.

Add value

“Start with one space at a time. Eventually, when you discard the unwanted stuff and regularly view only those belongings that add value to your existence… it’s good for the mental health and also physical well-being.” She adds, “Accessorise the nooks and corners with a few organic décor elements like sea-shells, pine-cones, fresh flowers in a mason jar or a glass vase. Embellish further with floral potpourri, incense sticks, aromatic oil diffusers and wind chimes for spreading a calming sense of existence.”

To keep calm and stay put, interior expert Saloni Mittal, from the firm Lite & Shade, advices, “Let’s start with one influence that works directly in Indian homes – Bollywood. By now we’ve all had sufficient peep into celebrity homes and what they are up to. In Mumbai, where space is a huge constraint and a challenge, people like to go for minimal and multi-purpose functional furniture. The more space there is to walk around freely and breathe, the easier it is to spend more time at home. Simple.” Retain your grandmother’s trunk, but lose that extra two-seater!

manpriya@tribunemail.com