The dazzling festival of Diwali is just around the corner. Apart from diyas, mithaais and celebrations, it is also time to deck up your house and get it ready for the festivities. Diwali is perhaps the only time of the year when households in India are knee-deep in cleaning and decorating their homes. If you’re thinking of doing the same, here are few tips to help you get started:

Get Rid of Clutter
We all have a pile of clutter in some corner of the house and there’s no better time than Diwali to get rid of it! Remove all unwanted items in the house like old clothes, furniture, stationery, utensils, etc., that have been collected over the years and make way for new things. Instead of just throwing old stuff away you could donate these to the lesser privileged.

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Repair and Repaint
Diwali is perhaps the busiest time of the year for house painters as most people get their homes re-painted during this time in addition to other refurbishment and repair work. While it’s nice to have your house sparkle with a fresh new coat of paint, it’s a good idea to get this job done much in advance (ideally a month before Diwali) to avoid last minute rush.

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Clean to Prosper
Cleaning the house is important not just for the purpose of hygiene but also to bring about positivity and attract well-being and prosperity. It is believed that by cleaning the house on Diwali, we can make the gods of wealth happy who will in turn bestow upon us wealth and good fortune. Make sure to clean every nook and cranny of your house and leave not even a speck of dust anywhere!

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An Attractive Entrance
It is believed that in order to invite Goddess Lakshmi into your home and to receive her blessings, the main door or entrance to the house must be decorated beautifully. Make the entrance bright by hanging colourful door hangings, bells, mirrors and other decorations. Making beautiful rangoli designs near the entrance is also quite common. You can choose from a variety of designs and vivid colours. You can also make small footprints symbolizing Goddess Lakshmi by mixing flour and vermillion.

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Let There Be Light
Diyas and lights are an integral part of the festival of Diwali. After all, it is called the Festival of Lights for a reason. Decorate your house with diyas and put one on every corner of the house. Diyas are available in different designs and colours; the more creative the better! You can also put up decorations like string lights and fairy lights that beautifully light up the house.

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For more interesting tips on home décor, visit PropTiger.com