How to Decorate for Diwali: Creative Ideas for a Joyful Festival of Lights
How to Celebrate Diwali at Home: Beyond Tradition
Festival of Lights Decorations with Heart
The Diwali episode of The Office is still one of my favorites—not just for Michael Scott’s hilarious “eight holy nights of Diwali” song, but also because of Dwight’s quick explanation of its origins. While Dwight isn’t wrong, today Diwali has grown to mean so much more.
Growing up, I remember my grandmother lighting rows of diyas, filling the kitchen with sugar-drenched treats, and creating colorful mandalas with powdered pigments at our front door. Those rituals showed me that Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is not just a story about a hero’s return—it’s about connection.
Diwali reminds us to celebrate the light in the world, our connection to each other, and the joy within ourselves. And while rooted in Hindu and Indian traditions, its spirit can be embraced by anyone looking to bring more reflection and togetherness into their home.
So below, I’ve gathered a few simple and creative ways you can infuse the spirit of Diwali into your home—with decorations, small activities, and even a few free downloads to make your Festival of Lights extra joyful.
Light Up Your Space
Diyas, Lanterns, and Candles
At the heart of Diwali are lights—rows of flickering diyas placed in windows and doorways, symbolizing hope and welcome. I like to mix traditional clay diyas with brass lanterns and glass candleholders for a layered look.
Even the simplest clay diyas can look beautiful lined up and glowing. I’ve bought plain ones like these and decorated them with my kids using paint and sticky jewels—it’s a fun activity that makes them feel extra special.
You can also personalize inexpensive candles with stickers or metallic tattoos. (Our hand-illustrated stickers and temporary tattoos are an easy way to add personality to your Festival of Lights decorations.)
💡 Try this: Place candles or diyas in clusters of three or five to create a warm, inviting centerpiece.
In the end, Diwali lights don’t have to be about religion—they can simply be about celebrating the light we carry within ourselves, and the joy of sharing that light with others.
Rangoli as a Ritual of Welcome
Patterns That Tell a Story
A rangoli is a traditional Indian art form created on the ground near the entrance of a home using colored powders, rice, or flowers. Much like a mandala, it uses repeating shapes and circular patterns to symbolize harmony and beauty.
When I was little, my grandmother would make rangolis outside our front door and warn us kids not to mess them up—which, of course, was too tempting. Those designs taught me that rangoli isn’t just decoration; it’s about creating something that makes people feel welcome the moment they arrive.
While some rangolis are incredibly detailed, even simple ones are stunning. Repeating basic shapes and colors in circles creates something festive and approachable. You can even arrange paper cut-outs in circles for a mess-free version.
🌸 One of my favorite activities is making a rangoli entirely out of flower petals. A simple circle of orange and yellow flowers feels just as meaningful as the most elaborate design.
To help you try it at home, I’ve created a some free hand-drawn rangoli and diwali-inspired printables that you can use with chalk, petals, or paper. (Download them by signing up for my newsletter!)
Flowers and Garlands for a Festive Touch
Nature’s Color Palette
Fresh flowers are one of the most recognizable parts of Festival of Lights decorations. Growing up, strings of marigolds draped across doorways instantly meant celebration. Their bright orange and yellow blooms symbolize positivity and warmth, and they make even the simplest space feel alive. I recently purchased these garlands to use year after year. Added bonus is they work great for Diwali, Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos.
If fresh flowers aren’t accessible, paper or fabric garlands can be just as joyful—and they’re reusable year after year. I often use hand-illustrated wrapping paper cut into strips to create quick DIY garlands like these, a project that’s as fun as it is festive.
- Here is a great tutorial from Aami of Gujarani Creations on how to create beautiful paper Diyas.
- Make DIY Marigold Flower sting out of yarn with this tutorial from NeelDeeps Creations.
Create a Table That Glows
Sharing Meals in Style
The Diwali meal is often the highlight of the celebration, and the table deserves a little extra magic. Layering patterned linens, colorful napkins, and glowing tea lights down the center turns dinner into an experience.
I love adding small diyas or candles between serving dishes—it makes the food feel like part of the celebration itself. Even simple details like illustrated place cards (downloadable in my freebie library!) make the table feel warm and intentional.
Our hand-illustrated aprons and tea towels also make beautiful additions to your Diwali kitchen—perfect for cooking, gifting, or setting the table with care.
Handmade Details That Feel Personal
Infusing Soul into Decorations
Diwali doesn’t have to look like a staged magazine spread. The decorations that feel the most special are the ones that tell your story. Handmade touches—whether that’s hand-painted candles, paper lanterns, or illustrated wrapping paper repurposed as wall art—bring warmth and authenticity.
I often frame cards from past collections or hang illustrated gift wrap as quick wall décor. It’s a reminder that art isn’t only for gifting—it can transform the everyday into something meaningful.
To make it even easier, I’ve added printable Diwali banners to my freebie library. Just print, cut, and string them up with ribbon or twine, and you’ve got instant festive décor that feels handmade and heartfelt. It’s a simple way to bring personality and color into your celebrations.
👉 Browse our wrapping paper and greeting cards designed to be beautiful enough to frame.
A Gifting Corner That Sparks Joy
Thoughtful Touches for Loved Ones
Gifting is a huge part of Diwali, and setting up a small “gifting corner” is one of my favorite Diwali decorating ideas. Stack wrapped gifts, add bowls of sweets, and display a few cards ready to be written. It instantly makes the season feel abundant and celebratory.
The key is presentation—using hand-illustrated wrapping paper, matching gift bags, and thoughtful tags elevates even the simplest gift. It’s not about extravagance; it’s about the love and care put into each detail.
👉 Shop tie-in: Explore our wrapping paper, gift bags and gift tags for everything you need to create a beautiful gifting station at home.
Celebrate the Spirit of Diwali at Home
Decorating for Diwali doesn’t need to be complicated. With a few intentional touches—flickering diyas, a welcoming rangoli, fresh flowers, a glowing table, and thoughtful gifts—you can fill your home with light and joy.
Diwali may have started as a Hindu tradition, but today its spirit belongs to everyone: celebrating connection, gratitude, and the triumph of light over darkness.
✨ Want to bring more creativity into your celebrations? Sign up for my freebie library to download Diwali-inspired coloring pages, garland templates, and printable banners—or explore my collection of hand-illustrated cards, wraps, and gifts designed to make your Festival of Lights even more meaningful.
