Diwali home décor tips: How to use scent, texture and light to make your home more festive

Make your home inviting this Diwali with sensory décor ideas. Expert tips on using scent, texture, and lighting to create a warm, joyful, and memorable festive space. (Image: Pinterest)

Is your abode all set to celebrate Diwali in full swing? Whether it’s the comforting scent of cinnamon at the doorway, or a glowing corner filled with lanterns and soft cushions, the idea is to create a space that feels lived in, loved, and endlessly welcoming.

“Festivals are a way to flaunt your happiness and also share joy with friends and family. What better way to do so by decorating your home in such a way that it looks inviting and welcoming.” says Shailly Mandiwal, Country Home Furnishing Direction Leader,  IKEA India. “We’re seeing the rise of sensory décor, homes designed not just for the eyes, but for the heart.” Mandiwal  shares, adding, “This approach brings together scent, texture, sound, and light, helping transform a house into a lively, joyful space.” This festive season, it’s time to go beyond sparkle and think soulful. Mandiwal shares impressive tips on how to embrace sensory décor:

Start with the scent: Scent is memory’s most powerful trigger. Try placing sandalwood or cinnamon-scented candles at your entrance to greet guests with warmth. “In bedrooms, airy citrus scents work beautifully, while floral notes keep living spaces fresh and gentle,” shares Mandiwal. Choose diffusers or essential oils to match each room’s mood.

Mix textures for depth and comfort: Layering textures adds richness that eyes may miss but fingers won’t. Think velvet cushions beside linen throws, or a soft cotton dhurrie over a rough jute rug. Mandiwal advises, “Textures not only warm up a space but invite people to stay a little longer.”

Let there be playful, layered lighting: The right lighting turns ordinary into magical. “Sculptural lamps, clusters of warm LEDs, diyas, and lanterns help the home ‘breathe’ as you move through it,” Mandiwal explains. Don’t be afraid to mix sources—the contrast creates ambience.

Make beauty functional: From terracotta planters to patterned cushions, each piece can be decorative and usable. “Good sensory décor is playful when you’re celebrating and comforting when you’re not,” she adds. The key is longevity—decor you can live with, not just look at.

Celebrate with subtlety: Skip the loud, all-out sparkle. Instead, aim for gentle layers of emotion and meaning. “The goal isn’t spectacle,” Mandiwal insists, “It’s that quiet, beautiful feeling that lasts even after the party’s over.”

Festivals are the time when your home becomes the celebration itself. “Let your home be loud, fragrant, glowing, and a little sentimental,” smiles Mandiwal. “Just like every good Indian festival deserves.”