A taste of India can make a minimalist interior pop

Lucky is how I feel each time I travel to India. No matter how many times I’ve visited, I see and learn something new.

The world’s largest democracy is complex, layered and unquestionably a non-stop visual feast. For designers, inspiration is on every street, in every bite and in every interaction.

Home to some of the planet’s wealthiest and most impoverished people, with wondrous architectural masterpieces, unimaginable slums and overpopulated cities a short plane ride from rich biodiversity, India is an intensive study in contrasts.

And the unmistakable influence of that interior design perspective is finding its way into homes all over the world.

If your dream interior can best be characterised as minimalist – exemplified by a pattern-less palette of warm greys popped by highlights of white – a full-on India-inspired interior may not be for you. That’s not to say Indian influences can’t weave beautifully into predominantly neutral homes. They can and often do. But to truly experience the vibrancy of today’s Indian design trend, you’ll want to be a little more open to letting saturated colour and bold pattern seep into your life.

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Recently I had the opportunity of visiting the newly opened Oberoi Sukhvilas resort at the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Siswan forest range, to witness an expression of full-on Indian design at its best. Like the country itself, Indian design can be characterised as warm, inviting and unabashedly bold, without sacrificing sophistication or taste. If that sounds like a great refresher for your home, here are several steps to use, in full or in part, to help transport your interiors there:

Gemstone colours

If a colour recalls the finest example of a gemstone, it almost certainly works in India. Deep sapphire blues, rich ruby reds and lush emerald greens – supported by a framework of darker hues of gold – convey the luxurious essence of today’s Indian interior trend.

This is not a bashful palette. In fact, it stands in complete contrast to the recent popularity of pale, soft shades. It’s the antithesis of the thoroughly pervasive millennial pink and spectrum of pale blues that fade into white.

These are strong, dramatic and luxurious colours. And they perfectly accompany cooler fall temperatures. Because of their saturation and depth, such tones thrive when showcased in luminous velvets and silks.

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Sofas, chairs and headboards upholstered in gemstone-hued velvets, in particular, speak to this trend. For longevity and freshness, focus on integrating a singular gemstone hue in an otherwise neutral space, where it can carry the colour load. Or, for the boldest expression of the trend, use them all collaboratively to make the most dramatic impact.

Floral and animal patterns

Bold pattern on fabrics, furniture, rugs and accessories has an important and prominent role in Indian interior design. A deep layering of patterns in a single space can infuse it with soul and story.

Floral patterns featuring symbolic Indian flowers, such as the dahlia, rose, lotus, marigold and zinnia, are among the most popular. And skilfully juxtaposing graphic animal hide patterns – as well as patterns featuring animals set in scenery – alongside floral ones is emblematic of the Indian interior.

Elephant and horse figures, often adorned with colourful blankets and headpieces, are a frequent favourite. In more transitional interiors, graphic deer spots, leopard spots and tiger stripes reference India’s rich wildlife history.

Remember though, when layering a combination of floral and animal patterns in your home, ensure a broad spectrum of scales is employed. Placing small, medium, large and extra-large scaled patterns next to one another allows for easy cohabitation.

Tent chic

Indian tent interiors – replete with mahogany floors, canopy beds, claw-foot tubs and miles of fabric – have become a notable highlight of the nation’s award-winning hospitality industry. They reference design cues from an earlier time, when the privileged travelled across India in unbelievable style, and their romance, softness and tinge of nostalgia can quickly relax, rejuvenate and revitalise the weary.

With “glamping” seeing a significant uptick in interest, aspects of these elegant and adventurous tent interiors are really beginning to permeate and influence our lives. As more of us seek to decompress through home designs with a holiday mindset, borrowing design elements from luxury tents has gained real relevance.

Though not everyone can have, nor necessarily wants, a literal tented ceiling at home, lining walls and ceilings with fabric can create the same cocooning effect, and is great for absorbing sound. Certainly being ensconced inside the fabric panels of a canopy bed can inject a dose of romance into a tired bedroom.

And you don’t have to reside in the mountains or a rural setting to join the trend. Even apartment dwellers and suburbanites in ranch-style homes can embrace elements of Indian “tent” design to help turn down the stress while upping the relaxation factor.

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The physical environments cultures showcase often speak volumes about who they are. Sometimes more than words.

India’s culture is multifaceted, dynamic, elegant, incredibly vibrant and full of wondrous complexities and contrasts. It can certainly never be tagged as boring, or be accused of being clinical.

In so many ways, this also perfectly characterises today’s Indian interior design. As the country’s increasing economic influence is felt all over the globe, its design point of view will too.

So, whether it’s an entire renovation or a subtle shift in accents, embracing the colours, patterns and adventurous spirit of this powerhouse nation will lend a relevant dimension, complexity and enduring beauty to any home.

Yip is a TLC/HGTV interior designer and host and author of Vern Yip’s Design Wise: Your Smart Guide to a Beautiful Home.

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