Indian history, culture, and philosophy have a strong connection to art and craft, as seen by ornately carved temples and traditional textiles and artefacts. Indian textiles are known for their striking colours, complex patterns, and exotic fabrics. You can add an ethnic touch to your home decor by incorporating indigenous Indian textiles and materials into your design. This is an intriguing method of integrating Indian mythology and the traditions that shape their way of life.
Indian design emphasizes vibrancy, history, and skill, as well as a strong regard for craftsmanship. Home furniture and accessories with indigenous design will bring out the personality of your home. We have curated a list of unique ways to add Indian textiles in your home decor!
Best Indian Textiles and Prints for Home Decor
01. Intriguing Ikat Print
According to the Collins dictionary meaning, Ikat is a method of creating patterns on the fabric by tie-dyeing the yarn before weaving. The design is neither woven into the structure of the fabric nor applied to the finished cloth’s surface. Instead, parts of the warp threads are coated with a resist before dying. This is what separates Ikat from other resist dyeing techniques. The design is put into actual threads before making a textile.
02. Playful Bandhani and Leheriya – Indian Design
Bandhini’s mystical quality will captivate you with its vivid colours, striking patterns, dramatic loops, and twirls. The term “Bandhani” is inspired by the word “Bandhan,” which implies ties, connection, and hence tying up. This is the Rajasthani technique of dyeing and binding little circles on fabric with a single thread. Leheriya is a tie-dye Indian pattern with diagonal stripes. Since the design is reminiscent of water, it is called Leheriya.
03. Embroideries from Across India
India has a plethora of expressive arts, including a wide range of embroidery styles, as diverse as our country and its many ethnicities. Every region has its own distinct art style in which needlework is seen as more than just ornamentation but also as a means of expressing craftsmanship. Some of the most prominent embroidery methods in India are Katha, Phulkari, Shisha or mirror work, Banjara, and many others.
04. Rustic Kalamkari Print
The term Kalamkari has two words in it: kalam or pen, and kari or craft. It is one of the most exquisite indigenous Indian art styles, consisting of block printing on cotton fabrics. Kalamkari art is distinguished by the use of only natural colours or vegetable dyes. There are two styles of this craft: Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti. Andhra Pradesh is home to both of these Indian art styles.
05. Rhythmic Vegetable Dye and Block Prints
The application of intricate designs to cloth through printing is a time-honoured method. Block printing is a unique union of aesthetic mastery and the artisan’s patience and perseverance. The natural or vegetable-based ink-drenched, handcrafted wooden block leaves some distinctive and sustainable designs on the fabrics.
10 Best Ways to Use Indian Prints and Textiles in Your Home Decor
01. Unique Ethnic Indian Prints for Curtains
A curtain is more than just a piece of hanging fabric. It’s up to you to boost its stylish factor. Tie long, colourful fabric pieces on a thread or some patchwork mixes in the centre to create a dynamic mood in your home. Rich textiles such as Chanderi, Maheshwari silk, and muslin can assist you in creating a wealthy atmosphere.
You may also give your rooms a rustic feel by utilising fabrics like Khadi and Bagh cotton or by experimenting with flowing fabrics like leheriya on chiffon. You may go as basic as a gradient of soft colours to give your home a breezy summer vibe, or you can go nostalgic with a cotton vegetable-dyed curtain.
02. Colourful Prints for Upholstery
The style quotient of your upholstery is defined by its vibrancy and material palette. Choose the arts like Kantha, Kalamkari, Ajrakh, Ikat, etc if you want to give your bedroom a harmonious blend of contemporary and rustic feel. All these patterns look great on cotton-based materials, so you can sleep comfortably.
03. Hand-stitched Indian Pattern Artwork on Walls
Your wall decor should be the most eye-catching element of your interiors. You can create a Boho aesthetic by decorating your walls with hand-stitched artwork. Experiment with patchwork created using different fabrics and patterns. For instance, layering complimenting designs of ethnic block prints and threadwork can produce a vibrant wall hanging. Consider using textiles that are more durable, such as cotton, jute, jacquard, etc. Traditional Indian artworks like Patachitra, Madhubani, Thanjavur, and Warli prints on luxurious fabrics may also work wonders.
04. Quirky Dyed and Printed Wallpaper
The method of printing designs on fabrics with carved wooden blocks is known as woodblock printing. This method may produce exquisite designs on both paper and linen. This Indian print may be used to decorate your walls with wallpaper. You can create mythological stories on your walls by using customised wood blocks. Ikat has long been a popular print. In Indian design, geometric designs such as diagonal lines, diamonds, and motifs are extremely popular. You may also interlace and overlay basic circles or rectangles to create harmonic repeats.
05. Colourful Prints on Headboards for Bedroom
The headboard should be comfortable to lean on. You may try cushioning it with organic yet sturdy materials like cotton and Khadi. Both materials can be dyed in vibrant prints and colours, adding a splash of pop to your bed backdrop. The prints that you use in your headboard padding should complement your bedsheets. Ikat is a fabric that can be used to make unique headboards, in addition to being incorporated into a wide range of home decor. One gains the advantage of selecting from a diverse set of dreamy multicoloured yarns because of their powerful character and simple designs.
06. Vibrant Prints and Patterns on Artefacts
Your home decor includes multiple showpieces and artefacts like travel souvenirs, coffee table mats, oven pads, and so on. When designing our homes, we typically include furnishings from our trips or possessions we have accumulated over time. Bring home these authentic Indian works of art that complement your personality. Indulge in your rich Indian heritage by decorating your space with a traditional Vandanvaar (Indian decoration for the entryway) made of fabrics and designs like Banarasi silk, Ajrak, and Jacquard, to name a few. You might hang a silk saree as a tapestry or create your own DIY wall scroll using organic linen and quilting.
07. Lamp Shades in Rustic Prints
The classic lantern will illuminate your living space while giving it a touch of royalty. Consider lamp shades with themes and designs from India, like ikat and kalamkari. They lend a rustic ambiance to your space. Indian textiles typically feature brilliant colours; therefore, they go well with modern decor as well.
You may seek handloom weaving, Kantha, Kutchi mirror work, Phulkari, and Zardosi to produce an abstract dance of light and shade. You may also think about segmenting your artificial ceiling and placing designs using an Indian cloth to make a tapestry that looks beautiful.
08. Intricate Embroidery on Cushions and Pillows
Create customised cushion covers to add a unique touch to your space. Indigo Ikat, Raw Silk, Shibori patterns, Phulkari, quirky layered linen, and Kalamkari on cotton are some suitable materials and handicrafts for adding some pomp and splendour. Patterned and hand-embroidered accessories may add a touch of glitz to any interior. Cushions with colourful embroidered fabric will make your bland decor stand out in style. Additionally, adding an ethnic accent highlights your admiration for Indian artists.
09. Rugs and Dhurries with Indian Patterns
Indian-patterned carpets and dhurries are excellent pieces to enhance the aesthetic of any space. A rug may be an easy way to bring Indian motifs into your home. But material plays a crucial role here. Cotton, jute, silk, and synthetic textiles such as polyester, rayon, and nylon are the most robust and commonly used materials for carpets. You may accentuate these rustic materials by detailing them with indigenous prints like Ikat, Jaipuri block prints, and other organic dyes.
10. Table Accessories Like Coasters and Placemats
It’s time to explore quirky motifs and designs to elevate your tea-drinking experience to a whole new level. Experiment with organic prints like Shibori and batik to add a dash of colour to your coffee table. The dining table is the gathering space for your family! Enjoy your meals in elegance on tablecloths and placemats meticulously made from fabric patchwork. Table mats made of fabrics and designs such as Indigo Ikat, Ajrak, intricate Kantha stitch work, and organic block prints make your tableware stand out.
Are you Ready to Embrace Your Indian Roots with these amazing Prints and Textiles?
Indigenous designs might sometimes be deemed too ethnic for modern design sensibilities due to their traditional character. The trick is to strike the proper balance. You must give them a twist and engage with them to express a contemporary vision.
FAQS
01. What is the best way to utilize Textile as a Design Piece in Interior Design?
Household textiles are used in the home such as upholstery, home decor and furnishings, rugs, sunscreen, cushioning materials, wall art, and so on.
02. What Role do Textiles Play in the Home?
Designers use fabrics as an important element to create a vibe and set the tone for a space based on the demands of the user and the function of the space.
03. How to Create an Indian Theme in Your Interior Decor?
Indian furnishings are often made of solid wood and embellished with artistic elements such as carving panels, gold-painted trim, and indigenous textiles.
Image Courtesy: Image 4, Image 6, Image 10
Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.
