Decorate your home with a South Indian house design

1. Verandah Design for South Indian Homes

South Indian home designs vary from region to region, however, an airy verandah with a sloping, tiled roof and columns is a fairly common architectural feature across the board. Known as a thinnai, this is a shaded verandah or sit-out with built-in seating at the entrance to the home.  Sometimes this verandah would wrap the entire exterior façade of the home. In certain cases a covered walkway leads up to the main entrance of the house; this walkway has a tiled, sloping roof with pillars for support.

3. Carved Wooden Doors from South Indian Homes

Now considered antiques, a typical main door for South Indian homes is made from wood with intricated carvings and metal detailing. Burma teak was usually used by interior decorators in Bangalore to make these opulent and striking pieces usually embellished with historic images, mythical scenes or images of deities. You can replicate the ornamental door or even restore one for your own home. Another feature common to traditional South Indian interior design for home is metal idols placed at the front entrance.

4. Pitched Roof with Clay Roof Tiles for South Indian House Design

One of the most recognisable architectural elements of South Indian style house design, especially Kerala homes, are the pitched or sloping roofs covered in clay roofing tiles. These terracotta-hued roofing tiles, like the Mangalore roof tiles, are hardy and durable.

5. Carved, Wood Furniture for South Indian Home Design

Just like the entrance door and pillars, furniture in traditional South Indian homes was usually heavy pieces in wood featuring intricate details and carvings. Rosewood, teak wood and jackfruit tree wood are the most popular ones used by interior decorators in Chennai for South Indian style furniture. Rather than upholstered seating, traditional South Indian home décor items included seating made from wood with rattan, cane or jute detailing.

6. Traditional Patterned Flooring for South Indian House Design

Richly patterned and hued Athan gudi tiles are a flooring staple in South Indian home design. These stunning masterpieces can be used as a periphery border to neutral or solid floor tiles or even across the entire expanse of the room. These handmade tiles come from the Athangudi village in the Chettinad region but you can also replicate the look with cement tiles.

7. Traditional Fabrics for South Indian Home Décor

South Indian fabrics, especially silks and fine muslin, are extremely sought after. Add a touch of traditional south Indian style house design with these exquisitely woven fabrics reimagined as drapes, throws, cushion covers or even wall art. 

9. Carved Columns and Central Courtyard for South Indian Style Home

Another architectural feature typical to South Indian house interior design used by interior decorators in Bangalore are intricately carved pillars, usually of wood, stone, cement or granite. A modern south Indian house design version sees metal being used in a similar fashion. These carved pillars lined the entrance walkway, verandahs and central courtyards but one can also use these in modern homes for terraces, balconies or even in apartments as a visual room separator. Most traditional South Indian interior design for homesfeature a central courtyard, usually open to the sky. 

10. Traditional Festive Table Setting for South Indian Home Décor

A great way to add traditional South Indian flavour into your home décor item is a table setting. Whether it’s a festive family gathering or an evening of entertaining, a well-designed tablescape can be quite the centrepiece. Take inspiration from this elegant table setting and add elements like ethnic fabrics used for table runners and mats, stoneware serving bowls with brass details and, of course, a lot of banana leaves.

11. Traditional Motifs for South Indian Home Design

During festivities, homes across South India are adorned with traditional rangolis in Kolam patterns. A Kolam or Muggu is a symmetrical, geometric line drawing composed of straight lines, curves and/or loops which drawn around a grid pattern of dots. As seen in the image, this Kolam pattern has been used by interior decorators in Chennai on the wall to bring in a touch of traditional South Indian interior design.

12. Wood and Brass Swing for South Indian Home Décor

Another key element in South Indian traditional house design is the Attukattil jhula or swing. Interior decorators in Chennai usedthese traditional swings that are made from wood with intricate brass supports. In this living room, it has been used as not only to increase seating but as a visually unobtrusive room divider.
 

Choosing the Right Interior Designer in Bangalore and Chennai

If you are inspired by South Indian home décor ideas and looking to add these traditional touches to your own homes, it is always a good idea to consult design experts. From eco-friendly materials to architectural features, these experts will be able to reimagine the traditional elements in your modern homes. These basic tips will help you choose the right architect or interior designer in Bangalore and interior designers in Chennai or interior designers in Hyderabad for your home.