"Iron has a very playful and casual feel that adds to the relaxed setting of a country home," feels interior designer Manjari Sahai.

That's why the pieces are popular for informal areas of the home like the veranda or lounge.

Its advantages over wooden furniture, besides being easier on the pocket, are low maintenance and easy transportation. "Even if you leave a piece of wrought iron furniture without spending any time or money on maintenance for five years, it will still look as good as new," adds Dey. This makes it a favourite for restaurants as well.

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Furniture designers are innovating to create multipurpose pieces. Take for instance the layered dining table meant for those with a small dining space. A glass layer underneath the tabletop can be used to store the food bowls during meals to avoid clutter. The usual range of beds, dining sets and living room furniture is available at most stores.

Add-ons

Furniture can also be teamed with accessories made from the same material. The options extend much beyond candlestands -- from stylish hooks that can hold anything from wall hangings to your tennis racket, to shelves that can be placed across a wall to be loaded with knick knacks. Some brands are even coming up with window grills.

Colour code

The brighter the better is the mantra when it comes to dressing up wrought iron furniture. "Since the frame is usually black, it provides an excellent base for the use of bright colours in upholstery," adds interior designer Gopa Ray. The latest trend in furnishings is loud and vibrant. "We even get orders for cushions in two different colours for chairs of the same set," adds Dey.

Price points

From Rs 500 for a medium-sized round table for the living room to fancy dining sets worth thousands, you can find something for every budget. Most well known brands also offer packages for the entire house, starting at about Rs 35,000. Price depends on the fineness of the metal and intricacy of work.

Pictures by Pabitra Das