Diwali decoration ideas and crafts

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika.

This year, Diwali or Deepavali, falls on Monday, October 24, it symbolises the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

In Diwali festival tradition, homes and streets are lit up with shimmering lights, candles and lanterns, and decorated with bright colours with flower walls, garlands and decorations including Rangoli – colourful floor designs made of flower petals, rice or sand.

Family and friends will get together to celebrate, and to eat yummy treats such as bhapa doi.

There are also lots of beautiful Diwali crafts you can try out to homemake your own decorations, from Diwali paper crafts to making Diwali lanterns.

Best Diwali decoration ideas

If you want to decorate your own home for the Diwali festival, or make some decorations to give as gifts, here are some of the best Diwali home decorations and easy Diwali craft ideas.

Rangoli

Traditionally, Rangoli is an art of decoration drawn on the floor or the entrances of homes. It is thought to bring good luck, prosperity to the house and the family, and to welcome guests.

For some Rangoli design inspiration, these simple tutorials require only a circle stencil, coloured sand and a pen!

Diya lamps

Clay oil lamps called diyas are a traditional Diwali decoration. You can buy some beautifully intricate ones, but they're also fun to make with paper.

We love this Diwali lamp craft tutorial for diya ornaments made with glitter paper...

This hanging tea light craft is also a brilliant idea to create Diwali lamp decorations...

If you'd rather buy clay lamps, not only can you buy readily decorated ones, but you can also get plain clay divas, ready for you to paint with your own bright designs.

Diwali lantern crafts

Akash Kandil are generally hung in front of homes during the Hindu festival of lights. There are lots of fun paper crafts to make your own, such as these six beautiful lanterns made simply using coloured paper and some beads or sequins.