An honest take on India’s obsession with eccentric home decor in 2025
🏠 Introduction: The Rise of the Offbeat in Indian Home Decor
In 2025, Indian homes are no longer just places to live — they’re expressions of identity, humor, travel, nostalgia, and rebellion.
Amidst the usual minimalism, wood textures, and beige tones, a curious new tribe of décor items is taking over coffee tables and Instagram reels:
🦍 British-style gorilla figurines in trench coats
🐢 Glossy resin turtles with mirrored shells
🦜 Colorful parrot lamps with exaggerated beaks
🐘 Golden baby elephants doing yoga poses
They’re bold. They’re fun. They’re often unnecessary. But they’re everywhere.
So here’s the question: Are these quirky decor pieces really worth it? Or are they just a short-lived trend clogging up our already cramped homes?
Let’s unpack this — room by room, style by style, mindfully.
🎭 Part 1: What Exactly Is “Quirky Decor”?
Quirky décor is anything that:
● Breaks traditional symmetry or visual expectations
● Evokes humor, irony, or conversation
● Has an element of fantasy, kitsch, or pop culture nostalgia
● Often features animals, exaggerated human forms, comic poses, or surreal shapes
It doesn’t follow the usual rules of taste. And that’s the point.
🛋️ Part 2: The Most Viral Quirky Pieces in Indian Homes (2024–2025)
Let’s decode the most popular and peculiar items trending across Amazon, Pinterest, and décor exhibitions:
| Decor Item | Why It’s Trending | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| British Gorilla with Hat | Symbol of rebellion + British heritage nod | ₹899 – ₹2,999 |
| Resin Turtle Showpiece | Symbol of Vastu, often with a kitschy twist | ₹499 – ₹1,799 |
| Golden Balloon Dogs | Pop-art classic, now in every second home | ₹799 – ₹2,199 |
| Yoga Elephants | Cute + spiritual + Instagrammable | ₹599 – ₹1,499 |
| Miniature Penguin Butler Statues | Absurd + Victorian elegance | ₹1,000 – ₹2,499 |
| Rabbit Lamps or Parrot Holders | Quirky + functional | ₹1,999 – ₹3,500 |
🎯 Part 3: Why Are People Buying These?
1. They Add Personality
Let’s be honest — not everyone wants another vanilla interior.
● A resin gorilla holding a whiskey tray tells guests: “This isn’t a boring house.”
● A penguin statue next to your bookshelf? That’s a story starter.
2. Instagram & Influencer Culture
Thanks to reels and aesthetic home tours, quirky décor is the new luxury. You don’t need ₹50,000 furniture when a ₹999 bunny lamp does the job on camera.
3. Post-Pandemic Rebellion
After years of beige lockdown minimalism, people are leaning into joyful maximalism. These pieces add unexpected emotion to a space.
💡 Where Do They Actually Work?
Let’s be strategic. Here’s how to use quirky decor without going overboard:
● Entryway or Console Tables
First impressions count. A gorilla statue or yoga elephant here makes your home instantly memorable.
● Bathroom Corners
A small turtle or hippo soap dish adds delight to dull spaces.
● Kids’ Rooms
Resin ducks, colorful monkeys, or rabbit lamps work great here — quirky meets childlike charm.
● Home Bars or Coffee Stations
Parrot bottle holders or butler penguins add a vintage pub feel.
● Balconies or Gardens
Resin frogs playing flutes or mushroom stools — a fantasy garden vibe.
🚫 Where to Avoid Them
Too much quirk can create visual noise.
● Avoid in meditation zones
You don’t want a metallic bulldog staring at you during breathwork.
● Avoid on dining tables
They compete with actual food and clutter eye lines.
● Avoid in overly small spaces
Quirky pieces demand visual room. Cramming them in kills the fun.
🧘♂️ Part 4: Do They Serve Any Purpose?
Yes, and no.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Add humor, personality, boldness | Can feel gimmicky or out of place |
| Great for Instagrammable corners | May not age well stylistically |
| Perfect conversation starters | Hard to resell or repurpose |
| Affordable way to upgrade space | Can cheapen luxury-themed rooms |
| Ties in Vastu or spiritual symbols with fun | May clash with minimalist or biophilic design |
🔍 Vastu & Cultural Layering
Interestingly, many quirky items hide traditional symbols in playful forms:
● Resin turtles represent longevity and financial stability in Vastu
● Elephants symbolize prosperity and strength
● Owls (though taboo in some contexts) now come in “wise decor” forms
● Gold-colored dogs have started appearing as guardians in modern Asian Vastu fusions
So while the shapes are fun, the intent is deeply rooted in tradition.
🛒 Where Indians Are Buying These
● Amazon India – Hundreds of quirky figurines, often under ₹1,500
● Pepperfry & Home Centre – Slightly more premium and sculptural pieces
● Chumbak, Nicobar, Vaaree – Boho and handcrafted, India-inspired quirk
● LBB & Etsy India – Niche brands, handmade options
● Local decor exhibitions (like Dastkar, Bikaner House) – Unique, artist-driven oddities
🧵 Styling Tips from Designers
Interior stylists recommend:
● Use odd numbers (1, 3, 5) — three quirky figurines spaced asymmetrically works better than two
● Group by theme, not shape — animals + materials (e.g., ceramic jungle animals + terracotta pots)
● Contrast with neutrals — quirky items pop better against wood, beige, or black
● Mix scale and height — tall gorilla + low tray + tiny turtle = visual rhythm
📉 Will This Trend Die Soon?
Here’s the truth: quirky décor is not for everyone.
It’s not timeless like marble or teak. But it’s not going away either — it’s evolving.
What started as kitschy animal figurines is now expanding into:
● Surrealist mirrors
● Distorted vases and asymmetrical candles
● Pop culture meets temple art mashups
In 2026, we’ll likely see more art-quirk hybrids — handcrafted, ironic, and local.
🧠 The Psychology Behind Quirk
Quirky decor serves an emotional role. It’s a design language that says:
● “I don’t take myself too seriously.”
● “My home can be a space of joy, not just perfection.”
● “I can like luxury and still have a resin turtle wearing sunglasses.”
Post-COVID, design is shifting from performance to play. Quirky decor gives us permission to loosen up.
✅ So… Are They Worth It?
✔️ Yes, if:
● You love bold design choices
● Your space allows for visual variety
● You’re styling content for Instagram or Airbnb
● You’re okay with changing pieces every 2–3 years
❌ No, if:
● You prefer a timeless, minimalist aesthetic
● You live in a very small home with visual overload
● You see decor as investment, not experimentation
● You’re aiming for traditional Vastu/formal luxury design
🧠 Final Verdict: Add Quirk with Care
Quirky décor pieces like British gorillas, resin turtles, and yoga elephants are not just jokes. They’re cultural barometers of a generation that wants joy, irony, and color in their homes.
They’re not for the faint-hearted — but they are for the bold.
So go ahead, buy that hippo tray or flamingo lamp — just give it breathing space, and let it make your guests smile (and wonder).
✨ Want Your Space Styled with Soulful Quirk?
Mishul Gupta blends fun, function, and storytelling into every design.
● Quirky home decor styling
● Room makeovers for Instagram/YouTube creators
● Styling for cafes, studios, and Airbnb homes
● Furniture + art sourcing from curated Indian makers
● Décor with emotion, not just aesthetic
📩 Email: contact@mishulgupta.com
📍 Ambala, Haryana | Projects Pan India
🌐 www.mishulgupta.com