I’ve always believed that a home is never really “done.” It evolves quietly and instinctively—much like the people who live in it. As a homemaker in Mumbai, deeply passionate about home décor, furniture choices, and the everyday comfort of Indian homes, I find myself constantly observing what works, what needs refreshing, and which small changes can make daily living more joyful.
So when I recently attended the launch of Pepperfry’s Home Report Card 2025, a data-led report capturing how Indian households are upgrading their homes room by room, it felt less like reading a trend document and more like seeing my own habits reflected back at me—thoughtfully validated by real consumer insights.
The report, based on real purchase behaviour across 700+ cities, highlights a shift that felt instantly familiar. Indian homes are no longer upgraded in one big, overwhelming move. Instead, they’re being shaped room by room, corner by corner, through the year. That’s exactly how I approach my own home—whether it’s reorganising storage, refreshing lighting, upgrading kitchen utilities, or making small décor changes before hosting friends and family. Homes today aren’t about perfection; they’re about living better, more mindfully.
Living in Mumbai, this insight resonated even more deeply. In a city where space is precious and lifestyles are dynamic, the focus naturally shifts to smart, thoughtful upgrades rather than large furniture overhauls. According to the report, home categories like storage, organisers, kitchen utilities, and lighting are seeing far higher transaction intensity than furniture—and that feels spot on. These are the quiet heroes of everyday living. In my own home, it’s these categories that make the biggest difference—keeping the space efficient, welcoming, and adaptable for everything from workdays to weekend gatherings.
What I also found particularly interesting was how the living room continues to be the most expressive space in Indian homes. As someone who loves playing host, this couldn’t be truer. The living room is where stories are shared, guests are welcomed, and family time unfolds. The report notes that people are now changing sofas once every four years—planned, considered upgrades driven by lifestyle aspirations rather than urgency. Bedrooms, meanwhile, remain rooted in comfort and function, with queen-size beds and mattresses dominating demand—another reflection of how personal spaces prioritise rest and wellbeing.
Beyond Mumbai, the city-wise revelations were just as telling. Tier-2 cities like Goa, Kochi, Nagpur, and Bhopal are investing strongly in ambience and functionality, while lighting has emerged as one of the biggest design shifts across metros. Hanging lights and wall lamps are no longer afterthoughts; they’re central to how a home feels. Even work-from-home patterns continue to shape buying decisions, with office chairs emerging as the fastest-moving furniture category across both metros and smaller cities. And I loved seeing how mandirs continue to hold space in modern homes—blending devotion seamlessly into contemporary living.
During the course of the event, I also had the opportunity to interact with Ashish Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Pepperfry, Shubbam Sharma, Chief Growth Officer, and Kulbhushan Atkar, Head of Marketing and Furniture Category. What stood out in those conversations was how grounded the brand’s thinking is in real homes and real lives. The emphasis isn’t on forecasting trends, but on understanding behaviour—how people actually live, upgrade, and evolve their spaces over time. With the growing presence of D2C brands alongside established names on Pepperfry, it’s clear that today’s buyers—especially women running homes—are more discerning than ever, seeking design-led, practical, and meaningful choices.
For me, the Pepperfry Home Report Card 2025 wasn’t just a set of insights or numbers—it felt like a quiet reaffirmation of something deeply instinctive. The love for setting up a home, curating every nook, making thoughtful purchases, and creating a space that feels comforting and lived-in is an inherent quality for so many of us. It’s rarely about grand makeovers; more often, it’s about those small, intentional choices that make everyday life easier, warmer, and more welcoming.
Reading through the report only deepened my curiosity and enthusiasm. It reminded me how homes, much like people, evolve naturally—room by room, season by season. Platforms like Pepperfry, with their thoughtful mix of national brands, emerging startups, furniture, décor, and appliances, make this journey feel both exciting and accessible, whether you prefer exploring a store or browsing online at your own pace. I know I’ll be spending more time exploring Pepperfry’s website, finding those little details that slowly, beautifully, turn a house into a home—and I have a feeling many of you will relate to that too.
ALSO READ : Pepperfry’s ‘Rewind 2024’ Report: Unveiling the Future of Home Design Trends – LIFESTYLES OF MUMBAI
