10 Easy DIY Decor Ideas for Navratra, Specially Chosen to Help You Effortlessly Make Your House Ready to Welcome Navratri (2019)

No décor is complete without the inclusion of flowers, be it any occasion. Flowers as natural and fresh they are, not only add to the décor but also brighten up any space with their colours and fragrance. While there’s no comparison between natural and artificial flower décor, the only drawback lies in the fact that it gets a bit challenging to change them daily. In that respect, artificial flowers can change the décor without the hassle of preserving their freshness and they come in matching colours or in exact contrast that match wall décor with a variety of choices. During Navratri flowers play a significant role, in the sense that it is believed, Hibiscus, Rose and Lotus are Maa Durga’s favourite flowers so garlands made of these flowers, in particular, are much in demand during this time. However, for décor purposes usually, the sunflowers are used. Explore artificial décor for Navratri by Blossom Deco for Rs.3,999 with over 6ft of artificial flowers made out of cotton and plastic material with artificial flowers like lilies, carnations, roses and orchids at amazon.in or go for fresh flower décor from your local florist.

By popular belief, the art of Rangoli is much preferred not only to invite auspiciousness but also brighten up the décor of a home, puja space and offices with the use of colours, flowers, fragrance and light. With the ethnic colours of red, green and gold, the use of flowers, beads, coloured stones can make any rangoli designs stunning and beautiful. You can work with flowers like marigold, daisies, green leaves and diyas in the center of the design or design a gorgeous design of Maa Durga’s image made of bright colours and intricate patterns. Bengali Alpana is a popular design used during Durga Puja, made with ground rice paste, while a freehand kolam reflects the rich Indian culture & tradition from South India. Here is a readymade rangoli design for easy decor for Navratri, priced at Rs.595 at igp.com.

Aside from the ethnic earthy colours that are a part of the Navratri festivities, there are some special colours that are followed through during the 9 days of festivities in honour of Maa Durga, be it in the food you eat/make, the outfits you wear or the décor you incorporate in your immediate surroundings, that invoke her blessings and invite her presence. For instance, on day 1, the festivities begin with the bright and vibrant orange, which signifies energy & happiness and honours Maa Durga’s Shailputri avatar. On day 2, White symbolizes peace & purity in honour of Maa’s Brahmacharini avatar, while day 3, red is in use to signify fearlessness & beauty in honor of Maa’s Chandraghanta form. Day 4 is the day for royal blue, considered good for healthy & wealth and worships Maa Kushmanda, while day 5 is popular for yellow, signifying happiness & brightness in honour of Maa Skandamata. Day 6 is for green, symbolizing new beginnings and growth in honor of Maa Katyayani, and day 7 is meant for grey – strength & transformation in honour of Maa Kalaratri. Day 8, also called Ashtami is the day of honouring Kanjaks with the use of purple colour that signifies intellect & peace in honour of Maa Mahagauri, while the final day, day 9 is Navmi with peacock green colour to worship Maa Siddhidatri and invite blessings for your desires.

Like colours, lights are an important aspect of any décor, especially in the night, and while any occasion is dark and dull without the use of light, the warmth a Diya exudes and the spiritual aura of the festivity calls for the traditional touch of decorative lamps and lights both inside and outside our immediate surroundings. From mood lighting to overhead lamps to chandeliers to string lights, you have a variety of lights to choose from. Choose something that matches your lifestyle, like a string light for special attention to a specific wall frame. Fairy lights are available in different colours, as are handcrafted and hand-painted diyas, which signify the end of all darkness, adding a unique charm and glow to your home, with a promise of positivity and joy. Check out the Brown Brass Lord Krishna Wall Hanging Oil Lamp with Bells from pepperfry.com, priced at Rs.2,999.

Ethnic and eco-friendly earthen pots are best for an ethnic-themed décor, available in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. No puja is complete without the inclusion of a traditional pot in your puja room, which may be decorated with shiny laces, studs/beads and small mirrors, as is the inclusion of earthen vases in their varied long, narrow, round, square or any other shape. The soothing tones of bells ringing in the air emit a deep sense of calm and peace that adds to the mesmerizing aura of any festivities and the elegant appearance of bells can bring about a complete transformation to any décor. You can use long-chain bells or Rajasthani puppets, traditional camel or elephant bells as well. Other accessories like ottomans with patchwork, carpets & sofa furnishings with regal designs, bright colours and ethnic designs in home furnishings will add to the celebratory air as well. You can also use paper lanterns, ribbons, metallic paper or vines to the ethnic décor theme. Ethnic Curtains made of dupattas or sarees are easily achievable and a visually appealing décor feature during Navratri. You can explore clothes with broad gold plated borders for curtains, vibrant colours and rich designs. Add to them, diffusers or Arabic Bakhoors with different fragrances that uplift the atmosphere spiritually. Here's a Rajasthani wall hanging toran for your festive decor from flipkart.com, priced at Rs.155.

Festivals is a perfect time for loved ones to gather and enjoy celebrations together, hence it is only fair that you put maximum effort not only to brighten your space for their presence but also highlight the décor with some marked inclusions like rugs, patchwork carpets with intricate detailing. Handicrafts and antiques give a unique touch to home décor, and you can include religious figurines, ornamental dolls to the décor in a special place meant for display or in your puja room. Then there are vibrantly styled framed and unframed paintings and artworks you can use for your walls, in a mix of murals, jharokhas, paintings, etc. You can also include images of Maa Durga to your wall keeping the ethnic theme in mind. Check out this beautiful & ethnic, multicoloured runner for Rs.1,529 at snapdeal.com.

Local shops sell a variety of antique and ornamental figurines of various Gods and Goddesses in different settings, which can be placed both for reverence and décor purposes. Then, there are ornamental dolls specially made for Navratri in different colours and designs that can be aligned in a thematic setting in your puja room or a side table to feel the spiritual energies all around you. So if you’re a true blue décor fan, then don’t settle for less and create a beautiful décor at home to steal the best display in town! Check out this beautiful Navratri golu dolls set at www.navarathrigoludolls.com, priced at Rs.1,950.

Stylish and vibrant, framed or unframed paintings, murals or artwork of Durga Ma or any ethnic design will perk up your interiors immediately. Simply create your wall art by use of old paintings, cultural artwork or traditional murals/jharokas, etc. Show off your walls with big ethnic paintings, patchwork or Tanjore paintings. For instance, this beautiful canvas wall painting of Durga Ma from amazon.in is a perfect addition to the festivities, lightweight and made of eco-solvent inks that protect the picture from fading in time. Priced at Rs.999, the Sherawali Durga Ma Religious Canvas Wall Painting is perfect for Navratri décor.

Music and Dance are yet another significant part of all Indian festivals, adding to joy and merriment. You can make Navratri all the more special by arranging a music & dance program in your house by inviting your neighbours, friends/family through the nine days of festivity or participate in the community shows organized by local associations. Navratri is also popular for its Garba Dance or Dandiya Raas, where every night people gather together to enjoy folk music and Bollywood numbers by dancing with colourful wooden dandiyas either in pairs or in groups. This is done either in closed groups or publicly, with a variety of dance competitions organized in society complexes or community halls. In decorating your space for Navratri, you can also include musical accessories like a table, or manjeeras, harmonium, flute, dhol or dholaks to add to the festive décor. Check out the handmade classical Indian Music Instruments at amazon.in, priced at Rs.2,349.

Infused with a variety of cultures and festivals, our country is no less vibrant and just as it brightens ups our lives personally, there’s no reason why the festivities cannot follow through in our professional space as well, without disturbing our workspace much. Here’s how you can make the most of Navratri festivities at work.