1. Where decoration has the most effect
| Spot | Idea | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance steps / porch | A rangoli at the threshold with a border of diyas; a toran over the door | People walk through here with bags and strollers. Keep the rangoli to one side, or make it small enough to step around |
| Entrance door and glass | Warm light strings along the frame; marigold or paper toran | Don't block door sensors or the swing of the door |
| Reception / security desk | LED diyas in a row, a small brass urli with flowers | Leave the register and phone area free; security still has to work |
| Lobby wall or pillar | Light strings in a simple shape (vertical drops or a curtain) | Use removable hooks; ask the FM about painted walls |
| Lift lobby | LED diyas on a ledge, small rangoli by the wall | Nothing on the floor in front of the lift doors, and nothing that hides the lift notices |
2. What to keep out of common areas
- Anything in the escape route: stairs, fire exits, the path to the extinguisher. These must stay fully clear.
- Open flames near fabric, plants or paper decor. If your rules allow oil diyas at all, keep them outside on the steps (see LED vs oil diyas).
- Extension cords across the floor. Run lights from a socket close by, or use battery light strings.
- Loud or blinking chaser lights at the security desk. Steady warm-white lights look calmer and don't distract the guards at night.
3. A one-evening setup plan for volunteers
- Before: take one photo of the entrance and lobby, mark where each item goes, and share it in the committee group.
- Hour 1: put up the light strings and toran, and test every string before you fix it in place.
- Hour 2: draw the rangoli (stencils make it quicker and neater), then place the diyas around it.
- After: tell security which lights to switch on and off and when, and who to call if something falls.
- Day after Diwali: take everything down, remove the batteries, and store it together in a labelled box for next year.
4. Keeping residents happy
- Post the plan (and the cost) in the residents' group before buying. A photo of the layout gets fewer arguments than a long message.
- Keep the decoration neutral and welcoming. The entrance belongs to everyone in the building.
- Keep receipts for the treasurer. For a full budget, the lobby budget calculator helps.
For the complete checklist (timeline, roles and shopping list), see the Diwali lobby decoration checklist. For getting deliveries through the gate, see gate and security rules.
Disclosure: this guide is written by LobbyDrop, a small Bangalore service. If your committee would rather not do the shopping, we put together one lobby kit (rangoli colours + stencils, 3 warm light strings, 24 diyas) with a layout plan drawn on a photo of your lobby, delivered to your gate on your date with receipts. ₹3,499. See how it works. Everything above works just as well with things you buy yourself.
On the committee? Get a free lobby layout plan
Send one photo of your lobby or entrance. We'll mark where the rangoli, diyas and lights go and send the plan back within a day. Free, no payment, keep it even if you buy everything yourself. If you'd rather not shop, our kit is ₹3,499 delivered to your gate.