In India is a custom to decorate your floor each day as a gesture of welcome. These floor decorations are known by different names, in different parts of the country. In Bengal, floor decorations are known as Alpana. Floor designs are known as Kolam in south India, Rangoli in Maharashtra, Osa in Orissa, Aripana in Bihar, Sonarakha in Uttar Pradesh, Sathiya in Gujarat, Aripona in other regions of north India and Apna in western Himalayas.

Alpana patterns are mostly made by the women. These patterns are usually geometric or floral in nature. They are made from a variety of materials like colored dals, rice, wheat, dyed sawdust, and colors. During Lakshmi puja in November, special alpanas of a pair of pretty feet are drawn, outside the homes of people. The feet belong to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and are meant to ensure prosperity to people.

Decorating the floor in different parts of the house is believed to be a good omen.

In Andhra Pradesh, the art of floor painting is known as muggulu. Each day of the week has a selected design or symbol associated with it:

- Shivpith for Monday

- Kalipith for Tuesday

- Swastika for Wednesday

- Lakshmi for Friday and so on.

The basic motifs include the lotus, the swastika, conch shells, and discs. The Shri figures are very prominent here; Shri is another name for Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, who is also the goddess of fertility. Shri also represents the centre of a mystic grille of geometric patterns.

In South India, floor decorations are known as kolam. It is begun with a single or twin dots followed by circles around it. A single dot is a way of showing nature and life. Twin dots, which are often painted red and white, stand for man and woman or, the sun and the moon. Even today, most people use mainly red, yellow and white colors in kolam-s. Red is obtained from kumkum (vermilion), yellow from turmeric, while rice paste makes up the white color. Red is the color of blood. It stands for life. White is a symbol of purity while yellow gives a hint of the medicinal properties of turmeric. Black is almost never used as it stands for darkness, fear or evil. In Maharashtra, green replaces red as a symbol for life.

Floor Decorations are a perfect and easy way to add an ethnic touch to your house. These various designs are available on cloth as well card board and can be placed anywhere with utmost ease. An effortless yet elegant piece of home décor!