In this episode, Saloni Khosla, Vice President of Design at Pepperfry, breaks down the most common interior design mistakes homeowners make and shares practical advice on creating beautiful, functional spaces without unnecessary spending.
She explains why homeowners should focus on the "white box" stage first, including civil work, plumbing, electricals, flooring, ceilings, and layout planning, before investing in furniture and décor. Saloni also shares budgeting guidelines, recommending that interiors typically account for 15–30% of a home's purchase price, with major allocations going toward civil work and carpentry.
The conversation explores smart space planning for compact homes, ideal placement of furniture and TVs, designing maintenance-friendly kitchens, planning for vertical gardens, improving natural light and ventilation, and creating future-ready storage solutions. Saloni also highlights the design choices that improve long-term livability and resale value, while cautioning against costly trends that add little practical value.
Whether you're building your first home, renovating an existing one, or simply looking to make smarter design decisions, this episode offers actionable insights on balancing aesthetics, functionality, and budget.
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the Happy Home Loan Podcast with Saloni Khosla are solely those of the host and guest, based on their professional experience and expertise, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or official position of Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited or any of its affiliates. The content shared in this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional financial, legal, or investment advice.
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Chapters
00:00 Expensive Is Better: The Biggest Design Myth
02:29 Why Every Home Starts With The White Box
04:20 Setting A Realistic Interior Budget
06:38 Budget Allocation Thumb Rules
08:04 Space Planning For Small Homes
09:33 Designing A Living Room Without A TV Focus
12:51 Modern Kitchen Essentials
15:16 Creating Green Spaces And Vertical Gardens
17:27 Simple Lighting And Ventilation Hacks
19:33 Design Choices That Improve Resale Value
20:40 Common Overspending Mistakes
21:37 Luxury Versus Practical Design
22:07 Functionality Over Luxury Trends
23:22 Creating A Premium Look On A Budget
24:17 Lighting That Transforms A Space
26:43 When Should You Hire An Interior Designer?
28:19 Hidden Costs Homeowners Often Miss
30:28 Smart Splurges Worth Spending On
31:34 Small Space Design Rules Everyone Should Know
33:00 Storage Mistakes To Avoid
34:36 Custom Furniture Vs Ready Made Furniture
37:00 Planning A Future Ready Home
40:04 Rapid Fire Round
42:37 Closing Remarks