Hyderabad redefining luxury decor

Hyderabad Post the Covid-19 pandemic, many have realised the importance of spending on oneself when alive. This, as one of the factors, has led to an enhanced spend on luxury living. Here, luxury is no more restricted to the pricing only, but luxury has become synonymous to comfort. And, in the city of Nizams even the non-business class are able to splurge on bigger spaces, functionality and comfort of a space, say interior designers of Hyderabad.

Luxury decor predominantly includes furniture, lights, flooring, false ceilings, artifacts and accessories, bathroom fixtures and fittings, furnishing among others.

Speaking about luxury décor in the city, Manoj Wahi, Chairman, Indian Institute of Interior Designers Hyderabad (regional chapter) told Bizz Buzz that the spending power with IT, creative professionals and startup entrepreneurs along with the availability of luxury products at the door step with a service guarantee is driving sales in the luxury market.

He further said, “Affordability has gone up for sure with higher disposable income. Dual incomes in young earning couple homes that do not mind taking out a loanis also leading to better sales of luxury homes and décor. Moreover, with the boom in startup ecosystem, the pyramid of income has shifted,which can be witnessed in the surge of high net-worth individuals (HNIs), and ultra high net-worth individuals (UHNIs).”

But when it comes to luxury décor, Wahi says that pricing is subjective wherein earlier the context of luxury meant rich but now luxury holds other connotations such as luxury in space, luxury in technology, luxury in convenience, luxury in maintenance, and luxury in safety.

“Luxury décor now translates to comfort and space. Luxury décor is not only counted in terms of cost but now it also means functionality and safety. Hyderabadis are high on taste.Their spending power is higher compared to other metros wherein mostly it’s the business families spending on luxury décor whereas in Hyderabad even a non-businessperson is able to splurge to make their homes luxurious,” he adds.

Speaking on similar lines, Sona Chatwani, Principal Interior Designer, SC Design Studio says that luxury decor is not just about expensive inventory but it means making a home feel like the most opulent escape. “As an interior designer, we identify luxury as owning larger spaces. When it comes to luxury décor, I largely relate it to tasteful décor involving a client’s personal story along with their lifestyle, age,and social presence.”

The home furnishing market in Telangana is estimated around Rs 1,500 crore and in Hyderabad it is Rs 1,000 crore, growing at a rate of 25 per cent, per annum. Cashing on this growing market, Décor World recently opened its experience centre in Hyderabad. The high-end furnishing store, a preferred partner for most of the HNIs of the city,caters to top corporates, politicians, and film celebrities such as MEIL, Navayuga Engg, Rajapushpa Properties, Actor Nagarjuna, and others.

Ankit Goyal, the master franchise in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh says, “Today, Hyderabad is among the top spenders in India when it comes to luxury. People here are spending on the best of imported furniture and furnishings. It has outgrown other metros asthe size of houses are bigger in Hyderabad compared to others.Hyderabad has a very selective taste when it comes to choosing a fabric for home. Most of the high-end projects prefer minimal textures and ombres in curtains.”

Décor World Select has curtains from FabricArt, Indus-Fuggerhaus, English Dekor, Casamance, Zoffany, Armani Casa, wherein the price of regular curtain fabric starts from Rs 500 per metre and imported starts from Rs 1,500.

30-year-old luxury brand, Good Earth has redefined luxury as stylish, sustainable and Indian. The luxury retail store, a design house based out of Delhi has 12 stores across India. The products here are made on order by artisans for Good Earth and are also designed, researched and made here. Besides serving the niche clientele of Hyderabad, Good Earth is witnessing footfall from cross section of young earning couples looking to decorate their homes the Indian way. Not leaving behind are the expats living in the city who appreciate luxury home decor products available here.

“Good Earth has become synonymous with Indian contemporary sheik. Earlier, shopping in Italy at the Milan Design Week was considered as real luxury. Later, copies of these luxuries were bought from China. Now there are more of Indian brands coming with original designs under the luxury category. Good Earth is recognised as one such brand which is homegrown. Anita Lal, the Founder and Creative Director of Good Earth, was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest. This showcases that designers from across the globe are looking up at Indian designers,” says Vani Subhash, Business Partner, Good Earth Hyderabad.

She further says that luxury at Good Earth means sustainable, pure and organic. Shoppers are attracted to linen made products instead of imported materials.We have a product called the dhohar which is also popular among people living abroad. Our dinner sets with Indian motifs, on par with luxury brands in England, is also hot selling, she adds.

According to interior designers, luxury décor ranges from flamboyant decor to sophistication. Hyderabad has a cluster of luxury décor stores that cater to a customers need such as providing branded, customised or even family heirlooms and antique furniture,chandeliers to contemporary lighting, designer wall papers, tapestry drapes, cushion covers exclusive bedcovers along with tie backs and detailed scallops,silk carpets,rugs, woven customised carpets, scented candles, customised lamp shades, artifacts, murals, paintings are the other décor elements available in the city adding to the luxe feel.

Remotes opening sky windows, drawing up curtains, playing music, adjusting room temperature, and lighting,are the luxury of automated homes besides high-end home security system. Bathrooms are now called as personal wellness space with the use of high-end hardware. Fire and stain resistant furnishing are considered functional luxury. And in the age of OTT, spatial home theatre is definitely a luxury home addition, confirm interior designers.