Onam isn’t just another festival; it’s a feeling. It’s the fragrance of fresh flowers in a Pookalam, the laughter of a family gathering for the grand Sadya, the warm glow of lamps in the evening, and the belief that King Mahabali still visits our homes.
But let’s be honest, life gets busy. If you haven’t had time to decorate, don’t worry. With just a few thoughtful touches, you can make your home feel festive, welcoming, and full of joy in just one day. Let’s walk through it together.
1. A Pookalam to Welcome Happiness
The entrance sets the mood, and nothing says Onam like a colourful Pookalam.
Quick, Heartfelt Hacks:
- Keep it simple, use stencils or small round patterns if time is short.
- Choose flowers that remind you of home, marigolds, roses, and chrysanthemums.
- Add a diya at the centre; it feels like lighting joy itself.
Imagine guests stepping in, greeted by the fragrance of flowers and the warm glow of lamps; it’s pure Onam magic.
2. Walls That Carry the Spirit of Onam
A fresh wall colour can change the whole atmosphere of your home.
Quick Hacks:
- Pick festive shades like golden yellows, fresh greens, or vibrant oranges.
- Try a simple lotus stencil, each petal symbolising prosperity and hope.
- Balance bright walls with soft, neutral décor so it doesn’t feel heavy.
Indigo Paints’ Onam Favourites:
- Buttercup Bouquet (1-12-3) – cheerful like sunshine in your dining space
- Orient Express (2-8-5) – bold, festive, perfect for your living room
- Fog Greenery (4-26-2) – calming for your pooja or meditation corner
Every stroke of colour you add is more than décor, it’s a way of inviting abundance into your home.
3. Dining Table That Tells a Story
The Onam Sadya is more than food; it’s a tradition, a memory, a celebration of togetherness.
Quick Hacks:
- Lay banana leaves as table mats, simple, sustainable, and deeply traditional.
- Place a brass uruli with floating flowers at the centre.
- Add small garlands or flower bunches for fragrance.
Picture it: the clinking of glasses, the laughter of children, the family gathered around the leaf, waiting for the first bite of Sadya, that’s Onam in its truest sense.
4. Let Flowers Speak for You
Flowers breathe life into every corner of your home.
Quick Hacks:
- Drape jasmine garlands on doors; it feels like a warm embrace.
- Place petals in brass bowls for a soft touch.
- Use local blooms in little jars; even the simplest flowers feel festive on Onam.
5. Light Up the Evening
The glow of lamps and lights on Onam night is something words can’t fully capture; it’s a feeling.
Quick Hacks:
- Place brass diyas at the entrance.
- Add fairy lights along balconies for a gentle sparkle.
- Float candles in bowls of water, like stars reflecting indoors.
That moment when you light a lamp and see its glow spread, it feels as though your home is smiling back at you.
6. Celebrate the Earth Too
Onam is about nature and harvest, so why not make your décor eco-friendly?
Quick Hacks:
- Swap plastic décor for natural flowers and banana leaves.
- Along with brass diyas, you can also choose earthen diyas instead of electric ones.
- Pick eco-friendly paints, celebrating while caring for the earth.
Indigo Paints’ earthy tones like Seadrift (5-25-2) and Shady Knoll (4-26-3) bring that grounded, natural charm.
Quick Onam Checklist (For Busy Bees)
- Fresh flowers for Pookalam and décor
- Brass diyas or lamps at the entrance
- Banana leaves for Sadya setup
- Fairy lights or floating candles
- A festive accent wall with Indigo Paints
Quick Answers to Your Onam Décor Worries
Q: I only have a day, what should I focus on?
A: Just three things, a simple Pookalam, one festive wall colour, and flowers everywhere. That’s enough to make your home feel alive with the Onam spirit.
Q: Which colours bring out Onam the best?
A: Warm yellows, vibrant oranges, and lush greens. Indigo Paints’ Mandolin Gold, Buttercup Bouquet, and Fog Greenery are perfect picks.
Q: How do I keep it sustainable?
A: Celebrate nature the way Onam intends, use flowers, banana leaves, earthen lamps, and eco-friendly paints.
A Closing Thought
Onam reminds us that celebrations aren’t about how grand your décor is; it’s about the warmth in your home, the love in your family, and the joy in the little details.
Even if you only light a single diya or lay a few petals at your doorstep, if it’s done with love, your home will shine with the spirit of Onam.
So, add a splash of colour, place that flower bowl, light that lamp, your home is ready to welcome happiness, just the way Onam should be.
