Kerala Home Décor: Courtyards, Murals, and Brass Lamps

‘God’s Own Country’ is a slogan often used to describe Kerala, which truly lives up to its name. Blessed with lush greenery, serene weather, calm backwaters and a deep connection to nature, living in Kerala feels like heaven on earth.

The beauty of Kerala home decor lies in the marriage of tradition and simplicity. Right from the quintessential Nalukettu (one inner courtyard) to majestic Ettukettu (two inner courtyards), traditional Kerala homes are designed not just for its aesthetic appeals but to nurture a serene living experience.

Step inside one of the most beautiful traditional houses in Kerala and you will hear the gentle creak of the swing, smell the wet rain on the oxidised floors and see the shine of brass lamps glinting with ablaze.

If you want to know how a traditional Kerala architecture home wraps you in a blanket of nostalgia you never knew you had, read this blog and find out.

The Soul of Traditional Home Decor in Kerala: Common Features Found

Kerala is engulfed with beautiful traditional houses that make you want to pack everything and move into one. Traditional Kerala homes have these following defining characteristics that makes it a sight to behold:-

Sloping Roofs: An Echo of the Climate

As one of the top states to receive highest rainfall in India, Kerala homes feature sloping roofs as a response to the climate. These are often made with clay or terracotta materials for easy drainage and cooling purposes.

Nadumuttam (Interior Courtyards): The Heart of the Home

Source: architecturaldigest.in

The defining architectural feature of Kerala homes, open-to-sky Nadumuttam acts as a communal space for various celebrations and activities as well as for ventilation and natural light. We’ll elaborate more on this cynosure below.

Attangudi/ Oxidised Floors: A Ballad of Natural Materials

Source: designcafe.com

Another notable element in traditional Kerala homes is the presence of Attangudi tiles or red oxidised flooring. While modern homes may replace these natural materials with porcelain floorings, it still feels sensorily rewarding.

Wooden Architecture: Inseparable Love for Nature

Kerala homes are synonymous with wooden architecture and furniture. From wooden pillars and swing sets to wooden beds and doors, wood elements are a staple in all Kerala homes.

The Verandah (Charupadi): A Tranquil Retirement

The verandah is the foremost attraction that greets you when you first set eyes on a traditional Kerala home. In most homes, it is spacious and supported by simple columns and wooden brackets that add character.

The result of all these elements creates an earthy palette of red, brown and green that mirrors the surrounding landscape. Let’s elaborate more on the distinguished Kerala home decors below.

The Inner Courtyard: The Heart of the Home

Source: home-designing.com

Poignantly sitting in the middle of the home, Nadumuttams are a beautiful anomaly that bustles with activity, invites wind inward and lets silence rest in shadows.

As you enter the precincts of the house, your sight meets the open sanctum that leaves you in awe. At its heart, the Kerala style courtyard:-

• Has open-to-sky space that invites rainwater and sunlight indoors.

• It is enclosed by four blocks either made of bricks, mud, or wood.

• Surrounded by rooms where each one opens toward the interior courtyard.

Murals that Reflect Kerala’s Tradition

Although Kerala is celebrated for its dance art forms, Kerala mural paintings equally hold a timeless charm.

Originally inspired by cave engravings with mythological narratives, Kerala murals have gracefully entered modern homes as they are:-

• Rich in motifs with elephants, peacocks and divine beings characterising the art.

• The themes are religious and therefore welcome spirituality home.

• Acts as a window into the rich culture and heritage of Kerala.

Grace Found in Traditional Brass Lamps

Brass lamps found in Kerala homes are not ornamental decor pieces but also symbols of welcome and prosperity.

Nilavilakku or floor lamp is Kerala’s most recognised brass lamp, associated with religious rituals and everyday life. Brass lamps in Kerala homes are:-

• Lit in the morning and evenings to call forth the presence of deities and ward off evil.

• The lamp often entails motifs of flowers and carvings of deities.

• Intricate brass lamps treasured reminders of Kerala’s origins.

What to Look for: Signature Materials and Elements For Kerala-Style Home Decor

The Malayalis love sourcing their materials from the local markets and artisans as it reminds them of their history, culture and geography. So, when you are shopping locally, here’s what to look out for:-

• Wood: Forage for jackfruit, rosewood or teak timber for furniture and doors.

• Metal: Metallic ornamentals like brass and copper lamps and urulis for decorative and spiritual purposes.

• Stone & Terracotta: Find Attangudi -inspired tiles, stone figurines and clay utensils for an earthen ambience.

• Painted Decor: Explore murals inspired by folktales and Kerala’s culture.

Kerala’s Home Decor: A Homage To Slow Living

Kerala homes are not just about regional home decor but rather a lifestyle that draws its roots from sustainability and a grave reverence for nature. The choices in the home are shaped by history, memory, and nature, which makes it a timeless and most sought-after decor style.

As times have changed, many people resort to modern houses with traditional aspects here and there. And you can incorporate traditional Kerala home decor through Magicdecor’s wall murals that pay homage to Kerala’s culture.