Monsoon Special
TAKE A RAIN CHECK
From four looks inspired by the downpour to nine simple ways to weatherproof your home, all you need know to be monsoon ready
Every year, the monsoons are welcomed with open arms after the summer heat. A week into it and you can’t wait for it to be over. Smelly interiors, humidity and a gamut of other problems spring out of nowhere. That said, weatherproofing your home is easy, if you follow these nine nifty tips.
1 PICK LIGHT CURTAINS
Choose curtains that are easy to dry. Lock up your expensive drapes and go for light cotton or Chantilly lace instead. These curtains aren’t just pretty to look at, but also allow proper ventilation which is vital as homes tend to get stuffy. Make the most of the intermittent sunlight with sheers.
2 PREPARE YOUR PORCH
Keep a coir doormat or rugs made from PET fibres at the entrance and balconies. They are extremely durable and water resistant and reduce the chances of mildew. To significantly reduce dirt coming in from outside, consider placing a rug on either side of the doorway.
3 OPT FOR A WELL DESIGNED FOYER
This is the time to invest in a coat stand, a pretty bucket for umbrellas and a foyer unit that holds shoes and other knick-knacks. Keep umbrellas and raincoats nearby so you skip the urge to make a quick run to the nearby store and come back soaking wet. Also, dry towels by the door are a great way to get rid of the excess water.
4 LIVEN-UP WITH ACCENTS
Beat the sombre and gloomy greys with bright colours. Cherry red, tangerine, metallics—use them generously on your throw pillows, bed linens and your crockery. Add wind chimes or pinwheels by the windows.
5 THINK GREEN
Indoor plants have a vitalising effect and make us feel close to nature. Go for low maintenance plants like lucky bamboo (dracaena braunii) or money plant.
6 LET IT SMELL HEAVENLY
Locking up your doors and windows during the day will leave your interiors with a musty odour. Keep damp smells at bay with scented candles or incense sticks. You can also opt for reed diffusers or aromatic air fresheners.
7 MAKE STORAGE MOISTURE-FREE
The wood-finished cupboards and cabinets in your home is where chances of fungus and mould growth is highest. Use camphor balls, naphthalene balls or neem leaves to eradicate moisture. Silica gel packets are very effective and can be put inside footwear when not in use. However, do keep them away from food items.
8 REARRANGE THE FURNITURE
Pull your upholstered or wood finished furniture away from the windows and towards the centre of the house. Take special care to ensure that your workstations and bookshelves are moved to a dry spot.
9 TIME TO SEAL THE CRACKS
Over time, the walls of your house can develop cracks which typically start near the door and window frames. These cracks allow moisture to get into the structure of your building and cause damp patches. Get professional help to fill up these gaps with putty.