They say that on the night of Deepavali, goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) makes her way to all the clean houses to shower wealth and prosperity. Now, who can possibly afford to say no to her? But the prerequisite, as we said, is that the home should be clean. So, pick up the broom and get started to clear the way for her. The following steps will give your house a brand new look.

Clear the clutter
It’s time to get rid of all those unnecessary items of clothing and cooking, old newspapers, old curtains and other things that you do not need any more. If you have a secret dumping corner in your house, clear that up. Donate all the stuff you have piled up there and clean the place. Decorate the space with a piece of furniture or a big flower vase.

Get new furnishings
Select your drapes meticulously. Go by the light and dark rule. If you have dark hues like purple, crimson or green on your walls, get lighter shades of curtains and vice versa. Try the lacy off-whites or the patterned satin ones. Both look very classy when hung well. Also, those who have slipcover sofas can easily change the colours of the cover. Those who have fitted furnishing can revitalize the same by adding in fresh cushions. Most good furnishing stores have a seasonal range. Keep in mind that the space should look warm, cosy and comfortable. Avoid the usual shimmer material!

Revamp your bedroom
Renew your bedroom with new bed linen. If you are one of those who swear by white bed sheets, it’s time you gave other colours a chance. If you have little sofas in your bedroom, get cushions for it. Make sure that the colour of the cushions matches the colour of your bedsheet.

Are your old rugs colourful enough?
If the answer is no, then it’s high time you hit the market to get some rugs for yourself. Go for bright colours like fuchsia, crimson, bright navy blue, yellow, neons, orange. Place the rugs right. You might place them under a centre table in your living room. Bright coloured rugs brighten up the room instantly.

Get arty
Art lovers generally gather a lot of art, many of which cannot be displayed all the time. If you have an ethnic collection, you may use these centre space during Deepavali. It is also good to keep rotating your artworks. Many of them provide the focal point in a room and when you rotate, your focal art work may change, so rotate carefully so that you do have a focal piece that matches your sensibilities.

Throw in some contrasts
Search for areas where you can create subtle contrasts. Mix and match the luster of silk with vintage accessories, for example. If you have a monotone palette, bring in a bold colour in one corner to create a sumptuous contrast. Have a colourful window blind on a white wall. Contrast fuchsia with lime green, purple with vintage grey. Go in for material contrasts, like silk with matt textures and so on. Or printed contrasts, like florals with plain fabrics.

Go ethnic
An antique wooden chest, a brocade silk textile, a paisley motif highlighted over a lamp shade or a wall. This is the time to celebrate your roots. The ethnic usually has a celebratory appeal, just fine for the festive season. You can use your old silk saris as curtains in the living room. Consult an expert to get the right cut.