Indian Decorating

Color

• India is known for its colorful backgrounds and beautiful fabrics in bright prints and complex patterns. Paint with gold, turquoise, deep crimson orange and magenta. Add Indian patterns for upholstery, pillows and drapes. Get creative and experiment with mixing and matching colors in unexpected ways. Remember that Indian colors are rich and full-bodied.

Furniture

• Woodworking has a long history on the Indian continent, with rich carvings on native woods, like mango, rosewood, teak and fragrant sheesham, according to LaxmiExport. The years of the British Empire gave new life to this art with large, functional pieces meant to store the many goods brought from England. Use these dark, heavy wood furnishings liberally throughout the decor to emphasis the solidness and elegance of life during this period. Add ottomans for lounging, writing desks for long missives to the home country and net-draped beds for those warm, Indian nights.

Textiles

• Use the extensive array of Indian prints as wall hangings, bedspreads, throws and draperies. These come in a variety of colors like indigo blue, saffron, purple and dark green that express the Indian viewpoint of complexity and insight. India has a long history of trading its gorgeous textiles throughout the world, according to IndiaCrafts. The nation's magnificent vegetable-dyed colors became emblematic of its rich culture. Lay down an area rug of Indian design with intricate patterns and vivid tones.

Accessories

• Decorating with Indian accessories offers a wealth of beautifully made items. Carved screens, beaded items and gold-toned religious statues of Ganesh, Shiva and Buddha will give your rooms a tranquil, spiritual feel. Use plants, both real and silk, to bring the tropical feel of India to your room, with banana leaves, tall palms, ferns and exotic flowers arrangements. Incense-burners can bring in the scent of sandalwood and patchouli to give your home a meditative atmosphere.

Artwork

• Add paintings depicting the Indian landscapes, animals found on the continent and scenes on canvas, cloth or wood of Indian gods, temples and customs. Again, vivid colors set the mood of richness of the culture and ancient traditions of its people.