Your room is your haven, your private place, the space where you disappear into when you get tired of the world. This room should obviously reflect you. So if you are looking to redo your room, read on as Eva Manandhar takes you on a round of do-it-yourself room decor

Artistic enterprise

If you are the artistic kind, the best place to showcase your talent probably are the walls in your room. You need not go for those paint buckets.

Simple painting tubes and bottles that are available in the market are a good replacement. Take out your paint brushes and go on a painting spree.

Saree drapes

Your mom surely has a rack full of sarees that have been lying there forever. Drape the windows with these pieces for an alluring look. You could even use sarees or shawls as wall hangings.

Flowers

The Danish people say that a home without flowers is a dreary place. Spring is here and flowers of every kind are blooming. Get some, put them in vases — these could be unused glasses, wine bottles, an old teapot... look around you will find something.

And remember artificial flowers are passé.

Masks galore

You can have your say with masks, which can be a good opening for a conversation. You can choose from religious to amusing ones.

The most popular clay ones are those of Ganesh, Buddha, Tara and Shiva. Depending on the size, a mask could cost you anywhere between Rs 50-600, however, an exquisite piece could cost you around Rs 1,100.

Besides these items like horses, elephants, card holders, ashtrays and bowls also look pretty cool.

Mandala Art and Craft International Pvt Ltd in Pyaphal has a really good collection.

Wooden masks would be another smart choice. Ganesh and Bhairav’s masks are quite popular, which would cost you somewhere between Rs 120-700. The coloured ones and ones with metal are priced slightly higher. The thin long masks are also quite interesting, priced between Rs 150-400.

Knicks-and-knacks

You could use wooden photo frames and décor pieces to add to your room’s character. The simple ones start from around Rs 200, but if you’re looking for something really stylish, they could cost upto Rs 4,000.

Other items that could make your room stand out are puppets (Rs 225-450), wooden boxes (Rs 300), khukuri (Rs 200-3,500).

Available at Raj Qurio, Thamel

Where to shop

Thamel area would be the best bet for you to go hunting for these stuff. Freak Street is another good option. Kupondole and Lazimpat areas have quite a number of outlets that sell Nepali products only, and you could get all the required stuff under one roof.

(The prices stated are only for the above mentioned shops and may vary in other places.)

Warm glow

Proper lighting does much to beautify your room. A plain bulb looks ugly but you could cover this up with a plain paper lamp to give the room a mellow glow. Lamps made of Nepali paper are available in different shapes and sizes — rectangular, hexagonal, round, cylindrical and even Star shaped. You can get them for anywhere between Rs 20 to Rs 300.

Memories intact

Photos always add an affectionate touch. Get photo frames made of Nepali paper. Cost Rs 40 to Rs 250.

Chic dates

Replace those drab calendars with a trendy one which you can get for Rs 50-150. You could also use the Nepali paper sheets as wall hangings. Plain sheets cost Rs 20 each, while those with flowers and prints cost Rs 30-45.

Ethnic reflection

A mirror is definitely a must have for any room. The most happening ones nowadays are ones with Mithila art on it, which are priced between Rs 400-800.

These are available Tibetan Thanka Collection and Handicrafts, Thamel.