
THE CONVERGENCE OF FUNCTIONALITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN INDIAN INTERIORS: A UNIVERSAL PERSPECTIVE
Abstract
The diverse socio-cultural landscape and evolving demographics of India present unique challenges and opportunities for interior design. While traditional Indian aesthetics are rich and varied, there is a growing imperative to integrate principles of universal design to ensure spaces are not only practical and aesthetically pleasing but also accessible and inclusive for all users, regardless of age, ability, or background. This article explores the convergence of practical design considerations and universal design principles within the Indian interior context. Drawing upon existing literature, government guidelines, and case studies, it synthesizes key strategies for creating interiors that are functional, adaptable, and barrier-free, while respecting cultural nuances and economic realities. The discussion highlights the importance of a human-centered approach, emphasizing flexibility, affordability, and cultural sensitivity in design solutions. By advocating for a universal design ethos, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework for designers, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster more equitable, comfortable, and efficient living and working environments across India
Keywords
Inclusive design, , Indian interior design, universal design, accessibility
References
Khare R, Khare A. Design competition as a pedagogical tool to teach concepts of universal design in India. In Proceedings of the human factors and ergonomics society annual meeting. Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications. 2013 Sep; 57(1): 511–515.
Gupta A, Kapse S. Universal Design in Indian Context: Case Studies and Best Practices. Journal of Interior Design and Built Environment. 2021; 12(3): 45–56.
Khosla R, Shukla A. Inclusive Design Strategies for Urban Indian Homes. Design Research India Journal. 2019; 7(1): 30–42.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Harmonized Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India. India: Government of India; 2020.
Singh M, Verma P. Designing for All: Accessibility in Indian Homes. International Journal of Housing and Interior Design. 2020; 9(2): 65–78.
Desai A. Indian Interior Design: A Tradition of Innovation. New Delhi, India: Roli Books; 2018.
Sharma R, Prasad N. Universal Design in Heritage Spaces: An Indian Perspective. Journal of Built Environment Studies (BESt). 2021; 15(2): 105–115.
Chawla P. Ergonomics in Interior Design: A Study of Indian Urban Homes. Indian Journal of Applied Research in Design. 2022; 4(3): 90–100.
Joshi R, Mehta A. Affordable and Accessible Interiors for Indian Middle-Class Homes. Journal of Interior Design Research. 2023; 11(1): 25–39.
Rana S, Patel K. Design for Diversity: Universal Design in Indian Educational Institutions. Architectural Design Research Journal. 2020; 14(3): 120–135.
Aggarwal N. Barrier-Free Design for Indian Residences. Journal of Architecture and Interior Design Studies. 2019; 8(2): 45–58.
Bhargava R, Iyer S. Adaptive Reuse of Spaces with Universal Design Principles in India. International Journal of Sustainable Design (IJSDes). 2021; 10(2): 135–149.
Mehta D, Rajan P. Integrating Accessibility in Luxury Apartments: Indian Case Studies. Journal of Interior Design and Luxury Studies. 2019; 7(3): 120–135.
Article Statistics
Downloads
Copyright License
Copyright (c) 2025 Suriya, Nandita (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Download Citations
How to Cite
Download Citation
Similar Articles
- Dr. Deepak S. Menon, HARMONIZING FUNCTIONALITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN INDIAN INTERIOR DESIGN: A UNIVERSAL APPROACH , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 7 No. 04 (2025): Volume 07 Issue 04
- Dr. Nalini Sharma, THE ROLE OF COMMUNAL OPEN SPACES IN FOSTERING SOCIAL INTERACTION WITHIN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 7 No. 07 (2025): Volume 07 Issue 07
- Jonas Lindholm, ARCHITECTURAL FLOOR PLAN SYNTHESIS: A CONVERGENCE OF DATA-DRIVEN INTELLIGENCE, ALGORITHMIC DESIGN, AND HUMAN CREATIVITY , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 6 No. 03 (2024): Volume 06 Issue 03
- ZHU DONGMEI, DR MOHAMMAD NIZAMUDDIN INAMDAR INAMDAR, DR MOHAMMAD NIZAMUDDIN INAMDAR INAMDAR, A STUDY TO ESTIMATE THE TECHNO-ECONOMIC FELIZABILITY OF LAST HEAT STORAGE AND THERMAL ENERGY TO MAINTAIN THE INDOOR COMFORT LEVEL , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 6 No. 02 (2024): Volume 06 Issue 02
- WANG ZHIHUA , DR. AIMAN AL-ODAINI DR. AIMAN AL-ODAINI, DR HJ ARAZI BIN IDRUS, A Case Analysis of Hong Kong's High-Rise Building renewal Methods , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 6 No. 01 (2024): Volume 06 Issue 01
- Dr. Kavita Desai, Ritu Sharma, TRANSFORMING URBAN AESTHETICS: INVESTIGATING STREET ART'S INFLUENCE ON CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND PERCEPTION , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 7 No. 08 (2025): Volume 07 Issue 08
- Bambang Santoso, Hendro Wibowo, Dwi Haryanto, DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE FOAM CONCRETE: IMPROVING PROPERTIES WITH FLY ASH AND COCONUT FIBER INTEGRATION , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 7 No. 01 (2025): Volume 07 Issue 01
- LI MENG, ABHIJIT GHOSH, An exploratory study conducted in Hong Kong examined the effectiveness of marketing techniques in shopping centers' promotion mixes to attract patrons and tourists. , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 5 No. 11 (2023): Volume 05 Issue 11
- ZHOU HUI , DR MOHAMMED SALEH NUSARI DR MOHAMMED SALEH NUSARI, DR. AIMAN AL-ODAINI DR. AIMAN AL-ODAINI, China's Environmental Modernization Challenges: An Examination Based on the Lesser Plateau Watershed Restoration Project , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 6 No. 02 (2024): Volume 06 Issue 02
- ZHANG YAN , DR. AIMAN AL-ODAINI DR. AIMAN AL-ODAINI, DR HJ ARAZI BIN IDRUS BIN IDRUS, A technique for economic and sustainable high-rise buildings An Analysis of the Shanghai Tower's Technical Features , Journal of Management and Architecture Research: Vol. 6 No. 02 (2024): Volume 06 Issue 02
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.