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One can divide African decor (furnishing and decoration of a room) into the following categories: 

• Antique/traditional, which includes both tribal and colonial pieces 
• Nature inspired 
• Safari/wildlife 
• Ethnic/tribal including euro/ethnic
• Contemporary/modern, locally and internationally manufactured but inspired by Africa
• Recycled

Mutual benefit to all concerned with the production and purchase of the items manufactured must exist. There are products with sustainable timber certification and one needs to make an effort to search and purchase accordingly. 

There are many ways of adding African decor authenticity and flavor to one's rooms and outdoor spaces: 

• Furniture Artefacts: masks, shields, spears, walking sticks, knives, containers, snuff boxes, pipes, musical instruments, headwear 
• Skins, hides and leather 
• Textiles: cushions, pottery, basketry, beaded items, rugs, ceramics, frames, table linen, throws 
• Lighting Accessories
  
• Fine Arts: paintings, prints, photographs 
• Sculpture: wood, metal, stone 
• Found objects, natural and discarded 

Furniture items, Vanessa Stromboni

An individual has so many ways to make a statement with African decor.

The joy of it is that not everything needs to be about expense, there are many items that can be purchased through community practices which also ensure that the crafter/artist is receiving a deserving payment for the creation of the product.

Antique/traditional

There are two forms of decorating using traditional or antique African decor, furniture and accessories: 

• Colonial, using antique furniture from trading or colonizing countries 
• Tribal, using antique furniture from the indigenous peoples of Africa.

These days, designers and homemakers very often mix them up in an eclectic style which combines elements of both traditional and modern furnishings and lends itself to stunning dynamic spaces.

Stephen Falcke Designs

Aline Matsika, African decor

This interior shot uses classic furniture upholstered in a kuba-inspired printed fabric and a dark wooden coffee table displaying a mix of accessories including a contemporary glass bottle holder and a genuine African decor artifact to lend authenticity to the scheme. 

Nature inspired

There is much to arouse one's creativity in Africa's temporal landscapes:

The deep verdant forests of the Equatorial jungle; the azure seas of Eastern Africa; the Central savannah plains softly stretching in unfathomable distances; the ancient undulating forms of the desert dunes; rugged highland mountains; bright Namaqualand desert flowers - the list is endless and everyone's impressions will be individual and unique, whatever makes one's heart beat faster! 

Natural materials abound; wood, roots, reeds, vines, pebbles and stones, clay, straw, grasses, leaves, shells, feathers, seeds, pods. 

driftwood counter table

Interior with divan

It is in this area that textures can really come to the fore as they can be found in all the natural fibres and the products that are created with them like textiles, baskets, blinds, floorcoverings, bedlinen and tableware and artistic creations like freeform sculptures. 

Guy Evans, kudu horn mobile, found objects

Carla de Cruz, 'Schema' porcelain

Colours are softly subtle earth tones creating a relaxed atmosphere and a restful environment. Touchs of natural greens, burnt umbers and reds or watery aquas can be added as accents to create interest or diversion in the scheme.

Modern monochrome tribal decor

For a more dramatic look inflect dark umbers, black, indigo or chocolate for graphic impact.

Coastal blues and sand

Vamisi island lodge, Mozambique

Soft sand colours, textures, bleached wood and touches of china blue, aqua and teal make for delightfully soothing surrounds. 

Anantara resort, Medjumbe island

Thatched roof simplicity meets vibrant African prints and azure sea wall colors. Natural timbers and contemporary lighting design complete the look.

Jungle greens

Tropical palms, insects, monkeys, lizards.. all these images add up to the lush, verdant, exotic feeling of the African tropical jungles. Interpret them freely in your patios, conservatories, dining and outdoor rooms.

Mix with textures and fabrics, ceramics, wooden artifacts and carvings, a mystical, multi-faceted world that just dares you to become involved. Lamps, patterns and lighting add further layers of interest and texture. 

Africa nova, kente cloth and ceramics

Natural foliage becomes the inspiration for a narrative African decor story that speaks volumes about the lush African forest environment. 

Don't be afraid to mix animal prints in with other colors and patterns

Animal prints matched with textured plains, fun elements in the room like pouffes, zebra skin rugs, animal carvings, grainy prints on the walls of Savannah landscapes to add authenticity - mix it up....go wild! 

African animal wall prints can add a beautiful dimension to a classic setting.

African tribal/ethnic

Bold graphic textiles, strong silhouettes, eye-catching tribal prints and impressive craftsmanship all brilliantly combine in this more contemporary take on this African-inspired living room featured above. 

Aione Dionne fabrics

Eva Sonaike 'Aluro' yellow

Warm earthy tones of rust, ochres, umbers, mud and graphite make up this palette. The same warm atmosphere will be added to one's habitat if used sparingly.

Earth Lodge, Sabi Sands

Or like the interior below, shot with bright red for contrast and dramatic effect.

Jeddah seat, Angelo Figus

pamushana lodge, singita group

Natural fibre rugs on the floor will settle the room and luxuriant leather and dark burnished woods can be introduced to offset the patterns that are found in artifacts and fabrics.

Market color collision

Here one can explode with colour and energy and loose oneself in the enthusiasm of the African cultures who thrive in the market environment. 

Scour galleries and markets for original artwork; you won't regret it. Contemporary African decor artists are urban dwellers and it doesn't take much to seek them out in their own studios where you will be richly rewarded by your experience. 

Un Jour de la Ville, Moke

Use authentic African decor fabrics, printed or woven and look for brightly hued baskets and rugs. Paint your walls in vibrant feature areas and offset all this with solid brights on your sofas. Buy some recycled furniture or wall art.

Kente cushions, Myweku

basket stool

 Don't forget the value of white to provide a counteracting effect to all this color! 

There are many talented crafters and wood workers who upcycle/repurpose scavenged materials into amazing pieces of furniture. Using timber from broken and disused, painted, fishing boats or pirogues the work below is from a Barcelonian company called Artlantique which is based in Dakar, Senegal. 

The beauty about this product is the graphic and colorful look of the painted planks from the sea craft. Covered in layers of paint, faded and distressed by weather and time the wood gives a rustic but richly textured appearance. Shapes are simple but attractive and sometimes are based on cultural versions of chiefs' chairs etc like the ones below...

Recycled tyre stools

From artist/designer Hamed Outtara of Ghana comes a range of recycled, metal drum furniture. Worked by hand they feature traditional patterning in a new way while still maintaining original textures and weathering like scratches and rusting. every detail of the process is carefully reflected on and executed in his country studio.

Says Hamed Ouattara " ART has a role to play in the development of Africa and my work reflects this conviction"

The market for contemporary African design is evolving.There has been an explosion on the world furniture and design market in the last 10 years of African-inspired product.

There are many things that contribute to this but foremost, I believe, is the impact that contemporary African decor artists are having in the art world. They are gaining recognition for their contribution to culture from their hosting nations like the UK and America, while Africa itself is steadily and actively promoting their own hugely talented artists.

Platforms such as Joburg Art Fair and Dakar Art Show are gaining in momentum and authority.

woven necklace lampshade

Furniture, soft furnishings, textiles (printed and woven), craft, accessories, wall decor, lighting, fine art, rugs and floor coverings, natural found objects are all areas which reflect this trend. 

M'Afrique by Moroso

M'Afrique 2009, Moroso Bench by Patricia Urquiola and 'Madame Dakar' Chair by Bibi Seck and Avse Birse

The range featured below is made for both interior and exterior use as is that above. 

Peter Mabeo

Peter Mabeo is a designer who is based in Botswana but is steadily growing in international repute. While being very committed to local craft, his heritage and his workshops, the collaborations with international designers have led him to expand his creative vision to new found heights, saying "There is a uniqueness about the beauty of African material culture and our rich artistic heritage".

Sefefo series, Peter Mabeo and Patricia-Urquiola

Kalahari stool, Mabeo with Claesson Koivisto, Rune

Seri series, Mabeo with Garth-Roberts

Employing about 20 people in his workshop, he uses sustainably sourced timbers like panga-panga for creating his streamlined and sophisticated product.

Yinka Ilori

A British artist/designer of Nigerian descent pays homage to his cultural background and is inspired in his work by the city markets of his ancestral country. His homewares collection is reflective of the bright colors, pattern and dress of these markets.

Yinka Ilori homewares

These days his work has moved to include street projects and community sculptures as well as his repurposed furniture. Since 2011 he has worked to assemble a collection of striking and unique pieces of furniture each telling a story from his heritage and espousing his passion for sustainability.

Made in Africa, Yinka

Colour Palace, Yinka

Vogel Design .... Cape Town

Vogel Design is headed up by John Vogel, an architect turned industrial designer and his wife Terri. They have a factory in Woodstock, Cape Town and have a skilled, enabled workforce who put together predominantly timber furniture both off the line and bespoke (Southern Guild).

'Bloom', John Vogel - 'Collectables'

'Nguni heads", Vogel Design

The designers enjoy the intersection between good, hard design and organic, free-flowing natural elements; very successfully managing to combine the two in their inspirational collection.

Vogel design -Nguni chair

Woven bench, Vogel design

The reinterpretation of weaving and woven forms are an integral part of his furniture range - often being used for bench and chair seats and adding a sense of color and playfulness.