If you are a proud South Indian, chances are that you want to hint at your Kannada heritage in your home. And even if you are not, there’s a lot to like about their simple yet elegant design choices. So, here are a few elements you can add to your living place to give it that South Indian spice.

Rangoli & Floor Murals: Design from the Ground up

Rangoli or Kolam, as it is traditionally known, is perhaps the first thing that comes to our mind when we think about South Indian culture.

Rangoli is a drawing made on the floor using rice powder, white or coloured. It follows a geometric floral pattern but may also be an imposing figure depending on the occasion.

It is made as a welcome sign for visitors and especially the goddess Lakshmi but is also a sight to behold without its religious value.

Metallic Art Pieces: Fashionable and Forever

If you have visited any temples in Karnataka, you must have noticed the intricately carved bronze statues all over the place. You can bring that royal palace look to your home as well.

Start with the miniature idols and figures and then move on to brass bowls and Urili. Not only are they beautiful and relatively inexpensive, but they are very durable (of course) and develop a beautiful patina over time.

Jhoolas: A Swinging Addition

Yes, we all know and love swings, and many of us have one in our balcony or the living room. But what makes a Kannada or a South Indian swing different is its solid wood construction and intricate carvings.

Not only are these jhoolas a favourite among the kids, but a breath of fresh air among the all-too-similar crowd of sofas and bean bags.

Carved Wood Furniture: Traditional yet Timeless

Now, furniture is a highly subjective matter and one design feature that can make or break the plans you had for your house. So it has to be done right.

If you are going for a Kannada theme, the right choice would be to steer away from the leather ones and adopt a more classy and wooden approach.

South Indian furniture is the perfect blend of utilitarian and rustic design with grand and sophisticated touches. Be it your bed, coffee table, or the wardrobe; the furniture looks traditional with carvings and ridges amplifying the theme you desire: pious, floral or geometric.

Make it Colourful: As Vibrant as the Culture

No, the dull white and grey colour schemes have no place in your Kannada themed home. Out with the dull and in with the vibrant and the cheerful.

Paint the walls in poppy colours like blood red or ocean blue. In addition to that, use colourful design elements such as traditional paintings, coloured lamps, doormats, etc. You are only limited by your imagination.

These are some of the design ideas you can implement for a traditional South Indian vibe in your house. Remember, that you don’t have to be an interior designer with a master’s degree to have a pretty home. All it takes is an open mind and a sense of adventure.

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