Top tips for Majlis design for your home
Did you know that the “majlis” is a centuries-old tradition in the UAE and other Arab nations? Roughly translating to ‘a place to sit’, the majlis is where community members would gather to discuss issues among themselves and meet with the Sheikhs. But majlis also refers to a private sitting area in the home, designed to receive and host guests. Over the years, the architecture and style of a majlis have evolved, but the basic majlis design ideas remain simple and down-to-earth, reflecting the local culture. We’ve rounded up the best majlis design for home tips so you can entertain your guests in traditional Arab style.
Tips for Majlis Design Ideas for Home
Traditional Arab culture places emphasis on being welcoming and comfortable, where guests are placed in high importance. If you want to offer your guests the same experience, here are a few Arabian Majlis tips for home that will help you create a cosy spot at home. In fact, it was also one of the reasons how traditional desert homes in the UAE stayed cool.
Keep the Size Balanced
Typically, the largest room in an Arab house will be the majlis, also regarded as the event hall. It is the room where guests are welcomed and entertained and discussions take place.
- Many people think a majlis should be grand, but creating a comfortable and cosy space is equally important.
- Instead of leaving empty spaces between the majlis sofas, arrange them closer to encourage conversation and ensure guests aren’t seated too far apart.
- Ideally, position a coffee table within arm’s reach of the seating area for convenient serving of food and drinks.
- Finally, ensure ample space around the table to allow for comfortable movement of guests.
MAKE IT A SPACE TO FOSTER CONNECTIONS
A majlis is a space where people gather and connect with each other. In modern times, people have a TV or other screen in their majlis at home, which disrupts conversation and interaction.
Here are some majlis design ideas to make sure this space in your home is where people enjoy themselves and conversation flows.
- Never place a screen or a TV in an Arabic majlis where you intend to socially connect with people.
- If you want to have a television near your majlis, it’s best to have a portable one.
- Ensure that the TV screen is not the focus of the majlis.
- Make sure that any portable devices in a room serve a temporary purpose.
Add a Touch of Traditional Elegance
Elegance in a majlis at home is not achieved only with materials like silk embroidery and gold beads. Hospitality is key when it comes to the elegance of a modern majlis.
- A majlis should offer a welcoming and comfortable ambience, where guests can take their shoes off and unwind.
- Opt for luxurious Arabian majlis sofas with a backrest and armrest, where guests can sit comfortably.
- Lush carpets and small tables to serve drinks and snack items also add to the elegance of a majlis.
- Elegance does not come from indulging in luxury. Instead, it should reflect a mix of the latest interior trends and Eastern style interior design to include warm colours, a grand ambience and cultural aspects in your majlis.
- Traditional and classical elements, geometric patterns and warm colours are essential features of Arabic majlis interior design.
- You can buy Arabic majlis furniture to ensure a welcoming ambience.
Decorate for a Warm Ambience
If you want to improve any Arabic majlis interior design, keep in mind that people are the focal point of the arrangement. So make sure that furniture and majlis home décor complement the versatility of the area. Here’s how you can create a peaceful home environment:
- Stick to warm and neutral colours while selecting the furniture and decoration for majlis.
- If selecting majlis sofa sets, look for rich fabrics and natural materials.
- The lighting should be bright enough so that people can see each other across the room.
- You can also mount library shelves to display a collection of books, which is one of the popular wall décor ideas.
- Handcrafted decorations including cushions and wall art can also increase the ambience.
- An important tip for majlis design ideas is to add indoor plants as they add a pop of colour and a natural element to the space.
Maintain the Privacy of a Majlis
The Arabic traditions of majlis value the privacy of the space, where the majlis is kept separate from the house. If you can’t do so, here are some tips to maintain the privacy of the majlis, while still being the central point of your home.
- In case there is no individual room available, make sure the entrance is separate for majlis.
- Add a rug or doormat at the entrance of a majlis to mark it as a separate area.
- A chic cupboard can be kept beside the room entrance, where guests can keep shoes.
- Make sure that the washing area or bathroom is close to the majlis. Guests should be able to perform ablution while maintaining the privacy of the members of the house.
Don’t have room to spare? Make a small room look bigger by going for light colours or spacing things out.
FAQs About How to Create a Majlis Design for Home
What is a majlis?
A majlis is a traditional Arabic reception room created particularly for social gatherings, conversation and relaxation. It’s a place to welcome guests, entertain family and offer a sense of community.
Do I need a separate room when thinking of a majlis design for home?
While a dedicated room is ideal, it’s not always possible to have a spare room. If space is limited, you can create a majlis area within another room, such as a living room. Define the space with a rug or furniture arrangement. Add these to your list of Arabic majlis design tips for home.
Will modern decor or lighting go well with a traditional Majlis setting at home?
While an Arabic majlis has a traditional feel, it’s possible to incorporate modern elements to suit your style. For a modern Arabic majlis design, you can add modern lighting fixtures, artwork or a mix of traditional and contemporary furniture pieces to make it stand out. These ideas can be used as inspiration in your list of latest majlis designs for home.
That’s all for our list of the latest majlis designs for home. Our guide to creating a majlis at home will help you give your living room a makeover. Remember, for a modern Arabic majlis design, it’s key to include comfortable seating, traditional elements such as wall decor and adequate privacy!
Looking for more home décor inspiration? There are a number of affordable ways to make your home look luxurious.
