Livin Interiors

  Types of Wall Paint | Livin Intriors Choosing wall paint is not only about colour. The type of paint decides how the surface looks, how it handles stains and moisture, and how long it stays fresh. This guide explains the common paint types used in Indian homes, where they work best, and what to expect while planning interiors. It is informational and brand neutral so you can compare options with your contractor or painter. Water-based vs solvent-based Most interior walls today use water-based paints. They have low odour, faster drying, easier cleanup, and lower VOCs. Solvent-based paints use mineral spirits or similar solvents. They level very smoothly and give a hard film but smell stronger and take longer to cure. As a thumb rule use water-based for walls and ceilings and keep solvent-based for special needs on metal or high wear surfaces. Distemper (dry and oil-bound) Dry distemper is the most basic. It gives a chalky matte finish, covers minor irregularities, and costs les...

Navaratri Decoration Tips | Livin Interiors   Navaratri brings colour, music, and a gentle reset to the home. If you work long hours you can still create a warm festive mood without turning your schedule upside down. This guide keeps décor practical, apartment friendly, and easy to set up after work. A simple plan that fits a work week Think in three steps. One-hour setup on the weekend to prepare the base. Ten-minute touch ups each evening to refresh flowers and lights. Thirty minutes on the last day to pack decor neatly for reuse. Keep a small “Navaratri basket” with fairy lights, tealights or diyas, matchbox, agarbatti stand, a microfibre cloth, fresh toran or fabric runners, and spare extension cords. When everything is in one place you decorate faster and with less mess. Choose one theme and repeat it across rooms A single idea repeated softly looks organised and saves time. For example: Colour story : pick two colours like marigold yellow and kumkum red, or white and gol...

Small Space Workstation Ideas | Livin Interirors A good home workstation begins with posture then builds around light, power, and neat wiring. Start by choosing the calmest corner you can find with stable daylight from the side rather than behind you. Measure the space you actually have. A desk depth of about 600–750 mm is comfortable for a laptop with an external keyboard and mouse. If changing the desk is not possible, a compact sit–stand converter lets you alternate between sitting and standing without shifting the whole setup. Your chair matters more than any gadget. Look for adjustable seat height, lumbar support, and a breathable back. When seated, your feet should rest flat on the floor or a footrest, your knees should be near 90 degrees, and your elbows should drop naturally to desk height. Keep the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level and bring the keyboard and mouse down to elbow level so shoulders stay relaxed. A simple laptop riser plus an external keyboard and ...

  Electrical Safety at Home | Livin Interiors Electrical planning is one of the quiet foundations of safe interiors. A good project starts with a clear plan of how each room will be used, a simple load map for heavy appliances, and spare conduits for future needs. Many homeowners in India prefer to place the distribution board where it stays accessible and well-labelled. Separate MCBs for rooms and dedicated lines for ACs, ovens, geysers, washing machines, and dishwashers are common practice. An RCCB or RCBO adds another layer of safety by reducing shock risk, and a neat circuit schedule inside the DB door helps everyone during maintenance. Reliable earthing is as important as the paint on the wall. A tested earth pit, continuous earth to every metal-bodied appliance, and documented earth resistance at handover make a big difference. Because power quality can vary, people often add surge protection devices to protect electronics from spikes, especially in storm-prone or unstable s...

Window Designs in India | Livin Interiors Windows do more than let in light. In Indian homes they are part of climate control, privacy, ventilation, and the way a house looks from the street. This post walks through how window design in India has evolved from traditional forms to today’s performance-led solutions. It is a practical overview for homeowners planning a renovation or a new build. Traditional Indian Windows: Form, Climate, Craft Indian window design grew from climate and craft. Materials were local. Shading and privacy came from smart geometry. Jaali and latticework Stone or wooden jaalis filtered harsh sun yet kept air moving. The small perforations cut glare and created privacy in busy streets. You still see sandstone jaalis in Rajasthan and wooden lattice in old havelis. Jharokha Projected bay-like windows in North and West India gave shade to the opening below and a vantage point to the street. The depth of the jharokha worked as a natural sun breaker. Kerala and coas...

Paintings for Your Home | Livin Intreriors The Mehtas had just moved into a new flat in Whitefield. Fresh paint. Furniture in place. Still the rooms felt a little quiet. Over tea one Saturday they started discussing paintings. Not for investment tips or art criticism, just to understand how people usually think about size, type, placement, and light. Feel of the room (what people usually consider) They first spoke about mood. Many homeowners map the room’s purpose with the tone of artwork. Living rooms often host conversations, so people lean towards abstracts or landscapes that carry colour and openness. Dining areas frequently see still life or travel memories because these feel warm and unhurried. Bedrooms commonly feature soft abstracts , florals, or calm seascapes for a restful feel. Entry/foyer spaces sometimes display a single bold piece, including Indian folk and tribal art like Gond or Madhubani, which stands out nicely on neutral walls. Study zones a...

Stone Wall Trends for Indian Homes | Livin Interiors   Stone walls are having a moment in Indian interiors. They add texture, cool the eye, and feel timeless in our climate. Done right they lift a room without shouting. Here is a clear guide to what is trending now, where stone works best, and the small details that make it look finished. Why stone works so well here Stone handles heat, takes light beautifully, and pairs with wood, cane, and metal without fuss. It also carries regional character. Kota from Rajasthan, Kadappa from Andhra Pradesh, Jodhpur sandstone, Makrana and Banswara marbles, and slate from the Himalayas each bring a distinct grain and color that suits Indian homes. The big trends you will notice 1) Fluted and ribbed stone Grooved limestone, sandstone, or marble adds soft shadows and a calm rhythm to TV walls and headboards. Flutes hide minor marks and look rich under warm grazing light. 2) Split-face and stacked ledgestone Chiseled strips of quartzite or s...

Beat the Heat: An Indian Homeowner’s Guide Why homes overheat Most Indian homes gain heat from four places: the roof, west and south walls, unshaded windows, and trapped indoor air. Fix those first and power bills drop while rooms feel calmer through the day. Architect playbook: what works fastest 1) Roof first Cool-roof finish : Lime wash (chuna) or modern reflective coatings bounce sunlight and cut surface temperature. China-mosaic with broken glazed tiles has kept terraces in western India cooler for decades. Insulate above the slab : A thin screed over XPS/EPS or mineral wool works well for flats with open terraces. Ventilated or tiled roofs : A ventilated air gap under Mangalore tiles reduces heat load in independent houses. The tile tradition was industrialised in 19th-century Mangaluru and remains a climate fit. 2) Walls that breathe less heat Rat-trap bond brickwork gives an insulating air cavity without extra material. Architect Laurie Baker popularised it...