Haveli interior and architecture is a one of a kind design that has a prominent majestic touch to it. Haveli, the word itself is usually translated to mean a ‘luxurious mansion’; undoubtedly, the style’s architecture and interior offer nothing less than an elaborated panache.  Lofty windows, high roofs, profusely carved doors, verandas, multiple open balconies, royal furnishing, and colorful fresco walls are essentials. If you like historical architecture and want to surround yourself with an opulent blend of Mughal architecture then the Haveli style interior is the right choice for you. To help you further, here are seven ideas suggested by the top interior designers in Lahore that can give your house a regal haveli interior:

Fresco

The first feature that will give your house an instant haveli vibe is the art-embedded walls, most popularly in the form of colorful frescos. Fresco is a type of mural painting that is painted directly on to the wet plaster of the house to ensure that the paint becomes an integral part of the finished surface. Being one of the oldest art techniques, the motifs and depictions could vary but the themes uniquely revolve around nature and life in the times gone by.  Vibrant paintings of beautifully ornamented animals, including horses, elephants, peacocks, royal gatherings, and beautiful scenes of the gardens, is what showcase fresco. The entrance walls of the house or the focal wall of the lounge make a feasible spot to add in this beautiful art. However, modern architects have also used fresco borders across all the walls of the rooms, giving the whole house a more unified feel. Make space for some fresco, and let the authentic haveli ambiance set in.

Ornamented Pillars & Arches

A Haveli interior is about all things ornate. The more decorative each element of the house is, the better the design turns out to be. And so, another main element to focus on when working with this style is its lavish and heavily adorned pillars. No Haveli architecture is complete without flaunting multiple pillars inside the house, along the courtyard, and supporting the balconies above. These pillars are usually even in number, syncing with the symmetrical requirement of the design, and are always richly carved and meticulously crafted.  However, if your home is not built that way and you are redoing the interior design, don’t shy away from installing a showy pillar wherever necessary. Another beautifully embellished feature of the haveli design that remains the top choice of the interior designers in Lahore is the extensive use of Jaalis. Simply put, these are the latticework created with either wood or stone. They are not only used to help uplift the luxurious style of the house but also help in keeping the space well ventilated.

Patterned Flooring

Patterned Flooring

Patterned flooring is another noticeable and repetitive element of the haveli design. If done right, this could be your one sure shot way to get one step closer to building the perfect haveli interior. Usually, the flooring is either marble or natural stones, ensuring that, even in the modern days, the style remains attached to its deep-rooted structural philosophy. The floor is required to have a distinctive pattern. Anything but simple and bland. It can be a black and white check, looking like a large chess board, or a white and beige combination of stone tiles with a thick border around all sides to complete the look. There is a wide range of colors available in marble and stone, ranging from deep blue, black, and emerald green to beige, white, and grey. Choose a combination that rhymes with your look and enjoy the regal interior.

Grand Courtyards

Grand Courtyards

For any house to reflect a true haveli interior, having at least one grand courtyard is a must. These traditional mansions are usually built around a large courtyard standing in the middle, encompassing verandas. These central courtyards are usually decorated with ingrown trees, beautiful fresh plants, and traditional outdoor furniture, including chairs, handwoven couches, and wooden tables. The courtyards are multipurpose as they help enrich the overall aesthetic appeal of the house, act as a ventilation path for fresh air to flow across, keeping the house cooler and allowing for more natural light to seep in. Also, keeping in mind the climatic conditions of the country, top interior designers of Pakistan actively advocated the use of these grand courtyards as they are perfect for every season, keeping the house cool in summers and warmer in winters. So when building a haveli-inspired interior, skip on those backyards and terrace gardens and invest in these beautiful courtyards. 

Wooden Engraved Furniture & Doors

Wooden Engraved Furniture & Doors

The type of furniture used in every interior design holds great importance, as it occupies maximum covered space and conveys the notion of the opted style. In haveli interior design, carved wooden furniture is the way to go. From beds to sofas, tables, and even doors, it is all made up of original wood and has beautiful carvings on it, reflecting the true traditional essence of the design. The love for wood is quite noticeable in Havelis, so don’t stop yourself from using a lot of wood in your new haveli home endeavors and decorate the engraved dark wood in all the ways you want.

Antiques

Antiques

A Haveli has to be a treasure trove of some unique and antique pieces. Ranging from furniture to paintings to decorative ornaments to old-fashioned pillars, the possibilities are endless. These antiques are an integral part of this design adding to the whole regal vibe of the house. A vintage armchair in the lounge, paired with ornately crafted seats, hand-sewn cushion covers, and those lush handwoven silk rugs would be sufficient to set the mood right for your haveli interior. For a bedroom setup, big ornamented brass lamps, hand embroidered floor cushions, a huge painting for the focal wall, and a four-poster bed with soft chiffon curtains, would surely make it look majestic, yet extremely comfortable to rest in.

Red Brick & Marble

The prominent use of red brick and marble in the interior decor is another essential element of the Havelis that can make any place look grand. Although red brick is mainly used in the exterior walls of the house but in this style, they are also used in floorings and sometimes as a statement wall too. Red brick had been used in the Havelis because of its cooling properties. Top architects in Pakistan prefer to use red bricks for the flooring of the central courtyards and as the final finish of the thick walls of these houses because they reduce the impact of heat during summers. However, marble is also a popularly used parallel to red bricks because it adds a touch of finesse to the décor and has a smoother finish. Marble tiles are used in the verandas and halls of these traditional mansions, making them look exceptionally impressive. A haveli interior design is all about being grand and glorious. With ornamented pillars, fresco walls, pure wooden furniture, and large open courtyards with tall standing trees, a haveli interior can surely take you back to the time of royalty.