With globalisation, the Indian architectural and interior design sector has undergone a major shift in the last few decades, giving more emphasis on international design styles like Modernism and Minimalism. However, many traditional design styles continue to be popular in the country, especially with homeowners who wish to incorporate sustainability and natural materials in their projects. One such style is traditional Kerala style interior design. Continue reading to learn more about traditional house interior design in Kerala, its features and evolution and how to incorporate Kerala style interiors in your residential project.
Understanding Kerala Style Interiors
Old Kerala traditional house interior design is a direct result of the warm and humid tropical climate experienced in the region. Features such as interior courtyards, oxide floors and clay tiles help maintain indoor thermal comfort and prevent moisture penetration. On the other hand, the style is also a reflection of the local culture and history. Extensively carved woodwork and patterned Athangudi tiles depict stories of history and showcase the craftsmanship skills of localities. With this perfect blend of culture, history and sustainability, traditional Kerala style interiors continue to be popular in residential and commercial buildings today, although their origin can be traced back many centuries.
Evolution of Home Design in Kerala
Traditional Kerala architecture evolved to suit the climate of the region, where buildings needed to ensure sufficient cross ventilation and also prevent rainwater from entering inside. One of the oldest known examples of such architecture is the Padmanabhapuram Palace (built in the 17th century). Here, rooms were arranged around multiple courtyards, creating comfortable indoor spaces. The same kind of planning and interior design on smaller scales was then adopted into residences and other smaller buildings in Kerala. Influences from local culture and history (wood carvings, traditional murals, etc.) and Colonial architecture (arches, furniture, etc.) were incorporated into these homes over the centuries, forming the unique Kerala traditional house interior design style that we see today.
Key Features of a Traditional Home Interior in Kerala
Kerala traditional house interior design typically consists of the following elements:
- Interior Courtyards: All rooms and spaces in a traditional Kerala home are planned around one or more central courtyards (Nadumuttam). Nalukettu (one courtyard surrounded by four halls), ettukettu (two courtyards and eight halls) and pathinaarukattu (three courtyards and 16 halls) are the common formats observed.
- Sloping Roofs: The spaces are topped by sloping roofs with clay or terracotta tiles, sometimes with small glass panes, allowing ample natural light in the house interiors in Kerala. Under the heavy rains experienced in Kerala, these roofs allow easy drainage of water.
- Wooden Elements: Doors, windows, furniture and the columns surrounding courtyards are all generally made from solid wood. These elements are intricately carved and made using locally available, high-quality types of wood like teak, rosewood and jackfruit wood. The oonjal (swing) and pathayam (storage cabinets) are common wooden features of traditional interiors in Kerala.
- Oxide/ Athangudi Floors: Old Kerala house interiors generally included floors made of red oxide or colourfully patterned cement tiles (Athangudi tiles). Such finishes kept the floors cool and also created brighter interior spaces.
- Traditional Art and Handicrafts: Kerala house painting design includes hand-painted murals depicting historical or religious stories. The instrument veena, Nettipattam (an ornament usually placed on elephants) and Kathakali masks are often mounted on walls as decor items.
- Other Natural Materials: Laterite stones and lime plaster are commonly used in interior partitions. Natural materials and features like bamboo furniture, banana fiber carpets and coir mats are a few other typical features of Kerala style interior design.
Why Choose Traditional Kerala Style Interior Design?
Adopting an interior design for homes in Kerala traditional style offers several benefits, including:
- Preservation of Heritage Values: Having evolved across the span of many centuries, traditional home interiors in Kerala are a representation of local history and culture. Incorporating such a design in new homes ensures that these cultural values are preserved for future generations to experience and enjoy.
- Climate Responsive: The style includes passive design strategies for the warm and humid climate of Kerala. These strategies ensure that a comfortable indoor climate is maintained in homes throughout the year, enhancing the well-being of occupants.
- Sustainability: The use of natural and locally available materials, along with the aid of skilled local labourers for construction and interior execution, ensure that sustainable building practices are promoted by traditional interior designers in Kerala.
Tips to Incorporate Traditional Interior Design for Kerala Homes
You can use the following tips to ensure that your home reflects the best aspects of Kerala’s traditional interior design:
Choose Earthy Colour Palettes
Earthy colour palettes, including shades of yellow, brown, orange, beige and red, blend well with the colours of natural materials like red oxide flooring and lime plaster. You can also use shades of other natural colours like green and dark blue to add pops of colour around wooden furniture and wall decor or even to form coloured oxide flooring in traditional Kerala bedroom interior design.
Use Wood Panelling
Since solid wood—especially varieties like teak and rosewood—is an expensive material, you can instead use engineered wood products and laminates to obtain a similar look at a much lower price. Use such materials to create intricate elements like arches, swings, decorative windows/arches, false ceilings and furniture in your traditional Kerala living room interior design.
Blend Traditional and Modern Elements
Often, traditional materials and products can be both expensive and impractical. Therefore, it is important to blend traditional elements with modern features. For example, in traditional kitchen interior design in Kerala, open shelves were common, which can be difficult to maintain today. However, these can be substituted with modular kitchen designs with rattan cabinets. Smart lights can be finished with brass coatings or bamboo covers to retain the traditional look.
Traditional Textiles and Decor Pieces
To maintain authenticity and also support local artisans, include elements of traditional Kerala home decor, such as:
- Kasavu fabric (white cotton or silk with gold borders) for making curtains or wall hangings.
- Mats and carpets made of banana fibers and/ or coir.
- Furniture, light fittings, partitions and storage elements made of cane and/ or bamboo.
- Brass or copper nilavilakku (lamps), urulis (wide, shallow vessels that can display flowers or hold water) and lotas (cups).
- Hand-painted murals and sculptures depicting local traditions like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.
Choose the Best Builders for Home Design in Kerala Style
To build homes with the traditional Kerala style interior design, adequate knowledge of the local history, culture and climate is necessary. Brick & Bolt is a top construction company in India with a team of architects who are specialists in the field. Whether you need a large mansion or a small house design in Kerala style, Brick & Bolt caters to varied individual requirements and creates customised floor plans for each project. The company also collaborates with the best interior designers in Kerala to ensure authentic designs. To get your home or commercial space designed by experts in the field, reach out to Brick & Bolt today!
Apoorva H P Achar