I’ve been scrolling through Korean interior design accounts lately, and it’s fascinating how different their aesthetic is from ours. Korean homes look like they’ve been stripped down to essentials clean lines, neutral palettes, empty spaces that breathe. Meanwhile, Indian homes are bursting with color, patterns, textures, family photos on every wall. Two completely opposite approaches, and honestly? Both are beautiful in their own ways.
Korean minimalism is all about that “less is more” philosophy. Walk into a Korean apartment and you’ll see maybe one statement piece of furniture, walls in whites and beiges, storage hidden away so cleverly you don’t even know it exists. Everything has a purpose. Nothing’s there just for decoration. It’s calming, almost meditative. The kind of space where you can actually hear yourself think.
Then there’s the Indian approach, which I’d call organized chaos at its finest. We layer rugs on rugs, hang brass lamps next to modern art, mix traditional carved furniture with IKEA finds. Our homes tell stories that painting from Rajasthan, the antique mirror from nani’s house, the colorful cushions picked up from some street market. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s very much alive.
What’s interesting is how these two styles are starting to influence each other. Young Indians are getting attracted to that Korean aesthetic after seeing it in dramas and on Instagram. Suddenly everyone wants a “Korean-style room” with minimal furniture and aesthetic lighting. Interior designers are getting requests for neutral palettes and hidden storage.
But here’s the thing pure Korean minimalism doesn’t quite work in Indian homes, and I think that’s okay. We’ve got extended families, festivals year-round, kitchens that need space for fifty different masalas. We can’t just hide everything away. Our lives are inherently more… full.
What’s emerging instead is this fusion that’s actually pretty cool. People are taking the Korean principle of intentional space and applying it selectively. Maybe the living room gets the minimal treatment clean, neutral, uncluttered. But the pooja room stays traditional, the dining area keeps those colorful wall hangings. It’s minimalism with personality.
The Korean concept of “nunchi” space is catching on too creating areas that can adapt to different needs. A room that’s a workspace by day, entertainment zone by evening. Indians are naturally good at this because we’ve always maximized small spaces, but the Korean aesthetic makes it look intentional rather than cramped.
Storage solutions are where Korean design really wins. They’ve mastered the art of hiding clutter without making spaces feel cold. Under-bed storage, built-in wardrobes, furniture that doubles as storage Indian homes desperately need this. We’ve got stuff, lots of it, and we’re not getting rid of it. So why not store it beautifully?
The color palette thing is tricky though. Koreans love their whites, greys, and muted tones. Indians are genetically programmed to love color it’s in our textiles, our festivals, our entire cultural DNA. The compromise I’m seeing is neutral bases with pops of color through textiles and art. Beige walls, but vibrant cushions. White furniture, but colorful rugs.
Lighting is another area where Korean design is influencing Indian homes. They do this soft, warm, layered lighting that creates mood. We’ve traditionally been all about bright overhead lights the brighter the better, how else will you see? But now people are experimenting with ambient lighting, mood lamps, those aesthetic LED strips everyone has in their Korean-style rooms.
What I love about this fusion is that it’s forcing us to think about intention. Korean minimalism asks “do you need this?” Indian maximalism answers “yes, but also this, and this, and this has sentimental value.” Meeting somewhere in the middle means creating homes that are both functional and meaningful.
The truth is, you can’t just copy-paste Korean minimalism into Indian homes and expect it to work. Our lifestyles, family structures, and cultural practices are different. But we can borrow the principles intentional spaces, smart storage, quality over quantity and adapt them to fit our maximalist hearts.
Maybe the best Indian homes of the future won’t be purely minimal or purely maximal. They’ll be thoughtfully curated spaces that honor our love for color and abundance while embracing the calm and clarity that minimalism offers. A little bit of Korean restraint meeting Indian exuberance that’s a design trend I can get behind.
Written by; Kimaya Ambekar
About the author: Hello! I am Kimaya. I’m someone who enjoys capturing ideas and moments through writing. I love exploring new topics, learning something interesting, and turning it into a clear, enjoyable read. Writing lets me express myself and share things in a way that feels natural and fun.