Romancing the rains

[1]

Sidharth Bhatia [1]

After the scorching sun, sweat and heat, it is that time of the month that everyone awaits eagerly — monsoons! But those rain clouds also bring with them dull, gloomy days that last for several weeks. Most of us enjoy getting drenched in the rain once in a while but after a while we crave for the warmth of our home.

To fight that monsoon melancholy, it is important to make your home look more vibrant, pleasant and radiant.
You need light-coloured curtains to allow some sunshine to enter your home. Heavy clouds naturally block the sunshine, so light curtains will brighten your room and enliven your mood. Curtains that are dark will block the sunlight, intensifying the gloomy feeling. Moreover, they will make your living space appear confined.
Reds, oranges and yellows are ideal for monsoon décor. Warm colours elevate one’s mood instantly. They also give a feeling of dryness (which is what you want with the perpetual rainfall!). Cool colours such as greens, blues and pinks give an illusion of water and dampness. Although highly suitable for the dry season, cool colours during the wet season are a no-no. Additionally, they do not help lighten up the gloom as warm colors do.
Stay clear of heavy fabric for curtains, cushions and the like during the rainy season. These tend to weigh down the ambience of your home. Light-weight fabric materials are perfect for wet days as they appear light and feel light. Furthermore, light-weight materials dry fast, unlike their heavy counterparts that are almost impossible to dry out after a wash. Mildew is more likely to be found in heavy fabric as these retain more moisture for a longer time.
Invest in bright, multi-coloured washable carpet mats. These are light carpets and dry faster than a normal fur carpet if they get wet.
Maintaining a mini garden with beautiful plants and flowers can add colour to surroundings. Avoid plant growth on an outside window as it blocks the light and makes the indoors shadowed. Ensure you trim overgrown plants that block light. Small planters near windows are a good idea.