I grew up in a tier-2 city in Gujarat, where homes were anything but quiet. There were wedding gifts on display in the crockery unit, family photos covering the entire walls, and cushions with different covers in every room. Instead of following a theme, homes used to follow people. 

But every time I visited relatives from bigger cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, or Delhi, I noticed how their homes felt different. They had beige furniture, a simple statement lamp, and empty corners that looked curated, almost like hotel rooms more than a house.

Today, you scroll through Pinterest or Instagram and you’ll spot the same aesthetic: white walls, floating shelves, a single chair in a giant room, and the same houseplant named ‘Fern.’

But step into a typical Indian home, for instance, your grandmother’s. There’s an embroidered cushion cover from a cousin’s wedding, a steel almirah that hasn’t moved in 35 years, a puja corner, a spice rack, and stories in every object.

At first, it felt aspirational and sophisticated. But the more I saw it, the more I wondered: Why do we see less as better? And why does that idea feel so foreign when it comes to Indian homes?

Why Indians Are Naturally Maximalist

Indian households are not built with minimalism in mind, and it is not a coincidence. The way we live, celebrate, and pass things down naturally leads to spaces that are full of life and layers. It is part of our nature to hold onto things either practically or emotionally. Indian interior style often reflects the blend of utility, emotion, and tradition. 

Here’s why:

• Cultural layering: We celebrate every festival, often with new decorations, special utensils, and gifts. Our homes accumulate these layers like rings of a tree. 
• Ritual and utility: Whether it is puja thalis or wedding saris that have been saved for over 30 years, each object has a memory or a purpose.
• Multigenerational living:  A lot of families have a living arrangement where parents, grandparents, and children live together. That means old furniture, storage units, and household items keep getting added, not replaced.
• Emotional value: Some things are hard to let go of, even if they’re no longer useful. For example, we still have an aluminium box at home that no one uses anymore, but it was my grandfather’s storage unit for all his documents, and no one wants to move it.
• Even our lifestyle is maximalist: Food with ten spices. Clothes with zari and motifs. There’s always more colour, more sound, more movement in our everyday routines.

The Rise of Western Minimalism in Indian Homes

In the last decade, the idea of what an “ideal” home should look like has quietly shifted, especially in urban India. A big reason for this change is the internet. Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube started showing us a very specific aesthetic: neutral walls, clean counters, and perfectly styled corners. These visuals were clean, composed, and different from what most Indian homes looked like. Slowly, they started to set the new standard.

Minimalism, which once had little presence in Indian homes, began to feel aspirational. Owning fewer things started being associated with discipline, clarity, and a higher standard of living. 

Brands like IKEA, H&M Home, and Muji helped reinforce this. They sold minimalism as a product: something modern, neutral, and easy to replicate. And as these brands entered the Indian market, many urban homeowners began to adopt the aesthetic.

Minimalism also became a way for the rising middle and upper-middle class to signal upward mobility. A clean, clutter-free home was no longer just about function. It was about the image. As a result, many homes began to look more curated than lived-in.

Also read, Bauhaus vs. Brutalism: Learning Two Revolutionary Architecture Movements

Where Are We Now? (Middle Ground) 

Most Indian home design today exists in a space that’s neither traditionally maximalist nor fully minimalist. The shift is visible, especially in urban areas, more people are choosing modular storage, neutral colour schemes, and simplified layouts. At the same time, many older objects, habits, and functional setups remain in place.

Visva House by Studio Arcon captures this balance beautifully- blending traditional elements like chatai flooring with clean lines, neutral palettes, and an open layout. 

This mix isn’t always the result of careful planning. In many cases, it’s just practical. People upgrade parts of their homes when needed, often keeping what still works or holds personal value. A modern kitchen might sit next to an old wooden cabinet. A clean-lined sofa might be paired with inherited decor. 

Some decisions are made for convenience. Others are influenced by trends. Either way, the outcome is rarely extreme. Most homes include a bit of both, new materials, old furniture, storage solutions, and personal objects that have stayed for years.

This in-between stage reflects how people are navigating change. Style, comfort, and familiarity all play a role. While the result isn’t always cohesive, it often works because it fits the people who live there.

So, How Do We Move Forward From This?

Minimalist homes in India don’t have to look like Scandinavian catalogues. They can (and should) reflect our stories, needs, and climate.

Minimalism cannot be simply the lack of possessions in an Indian context. It has to be about making better choices, based on how people use their homes. Choosing storage that works. Avoiding things that won’t be used. Not buying more just for the sake of filling space, but also not removing something just because it doesn’t match.

Mōrahi ©Design Hex

Some people are already shifting focus. Instead of asking, “Does this match the vibe?” they’re asking, “Does this serve a purpose?” That shift, from appearance to function, is where a more realistic version of minimalism can take shape. We don’t need to follow minimalism as it was defined elsewhere. We can shape our own version, one that makes room for how we live.

What Does Good Design Mean for Indian Homes Today?

For most Indians, minimalism doesn’t come naturally, and that’s okay. Our homes reflect how we live: with routines, celebrations, family, and a mix of old and new. While Western aesthetics have influenced how urban Indian interiors look, the shift hasn’t been complete or uniform. Some things have changed, others have stayed. Most homes now sit somewhere in between, part practical, part aspirational. 

This middle ground may not follow a fixed style, but it works for the people living in it. And that’s what really defines how Indian homes evolve.