Africa is a dream destination for many people: going on safari in a jeep, hiking through the rainforest or jetting off to Cape Town for a city trip. The second-largest continent on Earth is extraordinarily fascinating. It’s no wonder then that this part of the world has been used as the stunning backdrop for many movie classics, such as “Out of Africa” or “Nowhere in Africa”. If you can’t wait for your next long-haul trip, simply bring Africa home. To pull off the look, there are three important factors: colour, materials and design.
When you dream of Africa, you are immersed in a rich world of colour. Warm earth tones bring to mind the steppe, while colours like red, yellow and green represent the colourful and varied art of the continent. The latter triad of colours are also known as the “pan-African colours”. These colours were used as early as the 19th century and formed the basis of the Ghanaian flag, among other things. To this day, these three colours can be found on almost every flag of the 55 African nations.
In interior design, it is predominantly warm tones that are used, while the pan-African colours are used to add accents. Earthy tones like brown, beige or ochre can be found both on textiles, as well as on walls, furniture or decorative elements. The colour palette also features neutral white, which is often used in the painting of vases of masks. Dark red is reminiscent of the spectacular sunsets on the African steppe.
If you want to bring the Savannah to your home, you should first consider whether heavy earth and red tones will work in your space. The smaller the room, the more dark colours can make it appear even smaller – a stark contrast to the vast expanses of Africa.
Plastic doesn’t stand a chance: when decorating in an African style, it’s important that decorative elements are made of natural materials. Usually, wood plays an important role. For example, furniture can be made of teak, mango, rosewood or ebony. Instead of modern design, classics in a colonial style are used. Solid furniture exudes 17th-century charm and is often exquisitely crafted. Wooden furniture is often accompanied by wicker stools or baskets, as well as linen carpets. If you are feeling bold, you might opt for a carpet with an African pattern or even a fur rug. There’s no need to become a wild game hunter – rather, you can get extremely realistic faux fur rugs or fabric rugs with animal prints. These are better for your wallet and the wildlife.
Cushions with animal print, wall paintings with ethnic motifs, masks, terracotta vases and pots or plants can also bring a piece of Africa to your four walls. If you don’t have green fingers, not to worry: plants such as snake plants or spider plants are on trend right now – in part, because these splashes of green are very easy to care for. They can thrive in the sun or the shade and don’t need much water. If you would rather play it safe, you can opt for dried flowers, such as pampas grass.
The good news is: anything goes when it comes to African style! Fur rugs can easily be combined with brightly coloured, patterned curtains and cushions in an ethnic look. Bold colours are equally as welcome as muted earth tones. Your decor can be as colourful and varied as the continent itself. Nevertheless, the design should not be too linear if you want it to exude African spirit. This is not the time or the place for a rigid look in the Bauhaus style. Instead, furniture and decorative elements should have rounded shapes and be hand-made, or at least, untreated.
Lanterns and candle holders emanate the warm light of the setting African sun in your home. Artfully curved lamps with warm lightbulbs can also imitate the rays of the sun.
Which floor you use to create your very own safari at home is entirely up to your personal taste. However, it’s a good idea to choose natural materials. Real wood floors like Lindura. are a top contender. As well as having a high-quality look, this floor is also extremely durable and rustic in appearance. Its natural charm is beautifully expressed in the decors American walnut lively 8523 or Rustic oak 8410.
If you want an even less fussy floor, you can fake it: design flooring not only looks surprisingly real, but feels it too. This is even more durable and resistant to water and heavy soiling. An oak decor comes very close to real oak and complements solid wood furniture made of teak or mahogany perfectly.
