A home is more than its structure. It is an amicable amalgamation of nature, tradition and personalities that are enriched over time. Kerala is a land where the past and the present exist harmoniously and homes in Kerala reflect the same, no matter which type of interior design is incorporated in it.
New homeowners often have to navigate through an onslaught of ideas and choices when deciding on how they want their home to look and feel like. This can be overwhelming and challenging to take up on their own, especially when the members of the home have distinct personalities, preferences, and opinions on what they want from a home. This is where an interior designer steps in, bringing ideas and preferences to life with the right balance of design, space, function, comfort, and style.
Modern Kerala homes are a synchronous blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design that creates spaces that suit modern lifestyles while still holding on to our culture and heritage. Some of the more popular styles of interior design that you will find in Kerala homes include:
1. Traditional Kerala Style : Doors and ceilings in rich teak or rosewood, flooring made of laterite stone or clay tiles, and open central courtyards in Naalukettu style are typical characteristics of a Kerala home’s architectural heritage. Traditional interior design includes these elements or is inspired from them. Interior designers practising traditional / vernacular Kerala style home interior design choose materials that respond to the state’s tropical climate which is high in humidity and has two strong rainy seasons in a year. Lots of natural ventilation, the courtyard concept, and broad eaves are not just aesthetically appealing, they are a practical way of ensuring cooling and airflow, and minimising the buildup of moisture.
2.Minimalist / Contemporary Style : In larger cities and towns in Kerala, there is a growing preference for compact homes in a minimalist style while still incorporating touches of local character. Space is always at a premium in urban homes, so interior designers create home interior designs with an eye on functionality, focusing on storage, lighting, and streamlined layouts. Such designs typically involve clean lines, uncluttered spaces, simple furniture in contemporary styles (using wood, steel and glass), and neutral colour palettes. In order to maintain a connection with culture, one or two traditional elements may be added but with minimal ornamentation.
3.Transitional / Fusion Style : Interior designers chose a transitional style of home interior design that blends traditional elements of Kerala architecture (including traditional motifs, craftwork, and wood) with modern layouts, contemporary furniture and finishes. The advantage of a transitional style is that it offers the chicness and comforts of modern living while respecting local culture, materials, and craft. For example, interior designers may choose to use neutral modern base colours and insert subtle traditional accents such as handloom textiles or brass decor elements to it.
4.Eco & Biophilic Style : Kerala is blessed abundantly with natural beauty and greenery. There is also a greater awareness and conscious adoption of environment friendly materials and design among the Malayalee population today. Biophilic home interior design is now popular among Kerala’s interior designers as it is a more sustainable design choice using low-VOC paints, local crafts, and recycled wood. Nature is brought inside the home through smart interior design with lots of plants, green walls and vertical gardens, and the use of natural materials like terracotta, bamboo and cane.
5.Tropical Coastal Style : Kerala’s long coastline and tropical climate are the prompts for adopting a tropical coastal style of interior design that reflects the environment and offers a sense of calm and relaxation. The style is characterised by light and airy spaces with large windows and open balconies that takes advantage of natural light and offering an indoor-outdoor living experience, light wood and breezy fabrics for furnishings including cotton and linen, natural and raw textures, and colours drawn from the sea, sky and the sand.
Ideally, the best interior designer is the one with the best design skills. In reality, choosing the right interior designer goes much beyond that. The person / team best suited to your requirements is one that makes you feel heard, respected and confident, and helps you create a home that is beautiful, comfortable, within your budget, and is a reflection of your personality. Here are a few tips for choosing the right fit for your home.
Finally, trust your gut instinct. Your dream home deserves to be designed by someone who envisions it the way you do and works towards making your ideas come true, while enhancing it with their expertise. This is where the interior design work by Gruhem Interiors becomes relevant. With 25+ years of experience in working on interior design projects across Kerala, Gruhem has earned a reputation for interiors that balance aspiration with affordability and ensuring that your space feels uniquely yours.
