When you want to add a touch of originality to your home, the simplest thing is to “steal” some details from other cultures. We always have, but the internet has made the process just a click away. This explains the explosive success of the ethnic style in all its forms, from Japanese minimal to African furniture .
More and more people fall in love with the colors and shapes of the African continent, deciding to propose them again at home. In this article we will see how and why to bring a pinch of savannah to your rooms too . It’s easy to say: “African style furniture”
Africa is a continent with many internal cultures, even very different from each other. Speaking of ” African style furniture ” is at least simplistic, it is therefore worth shedding some light.
The design style we are talking about mainly refers to the cultures of three areas of Africa :
- Morocco , a country that has undergone European influences and which over the centuries has influenced our culture in turn.
- Egypt , another African country relatively close to us and very present in the common imagination.
- Tribal Africa , or areas populated by tribes who have opposed strong resistance to the penetration of Islam. This has favored the evolution of a type of art with peculiar characters, which change from one tribe to another.
When you furnish your home, you can choose one of these influences and use it to shape all your stylistic choices. Much more often, West African décor chooses one of these cultures and enriches it with elements more characteristic of the others. The result is a potpourri of African suggestions , in turn declined according to European taste. The colors of African style home furnishings
The African style home furnishings are mainly based on warm colors, whatever the reference culture. Light and dark browns prevail, as are the colors of earth and wood. We are therefore far from the cold Japanese minimalism or the white of Scandinavian design. Although the base is similar, this does not mean that the African cultures of reference have very different color palettes.
- Primary colors such as red and blue , widespread in the African Moroccan style furniture . The furniture of this type is full of bright colors and geometric prints, made with daring combinations by European standards. The liveliness of the furnishings and ceramics is in contrast with the white of the facades and terraces, one of the most famous features of Moroccan cities.
- Dark browns and beiges , especially popular in African colonial style furnishings . If you live in a small house, it would be better to avoid these combinations for the reasons seen in the article “How to furnish a studio apartment”.
- Yellow, beige and black , a combination typical of African tribal furnishings . The colors recall those of sunburnt grass, the mantle of animals, the earth. From time to time a hint of green appears, never too heavy and overbearing.
Characteristics of African ethnic style furniture
The African ethnic style furniture is mainly based on contrasts, prints, richness of decorations. If you are looking for a minimal design, you may want to look elsewhere.
As already mentioned, under the definition ” African furniture ” we find a wide range of variations. Nonetheless, there are some common elements that you can leverage and reinvent.
- Natural materials . There is no room for plastic in an African style home . The most common material of all is wood, used for both furniture and decorations. Wicker and rattan follow, ideal for armchairs and living room tables. There is also ample space for ceramics and terracotta, both painted and left natural.
- Carpets and tapestries , which traditionally decorate and improve the thermal insulation of houses. Depending on the culture of reference, you can turn to the blues and reds of Moroccan rugs or to much less saturated colors.
- Ornaments and decorative objects , which are slowly disappearing in other styles of furniture. The large tribal masks , statues and ceramic plates to hang are instead one of the peculiarities of the furnishing of an African style home .
- Original textures , ranging from the smooth touch of leather to the roughness of hand-woven linen. Thanks to the variety of textures and fabrics used in African furnishings , you can play with the same colors in different textures.
How the African colonial style furniture is made
The African colonial style is one of the most opulent of the ethnic styles. It is inspired by the houses of colonialists who lived and traveled in deep Africa, taking this or that element as a trophy to hang on the wall. Between one tribal element and another there was also space for objects from rich Europe , almost out of place in the context.
One of the most characteristic elements of African colonial style furniture are animal skins. Wealthy Europeans traveling to Africa collected exotic animal skins, horns and stuffed heads to hang. Don’t worry though: you don’t have to sacrifice lions or zebras to decorate your home. In the contemporary version of this style, in fact, the leathers are transformed into fabrics and carpets with zebra or leopard motifs .
Since the colonial style revolves mainly around Egyptian and tribal culture, masks and decorative spears are a must. Alongside the statuettes of primitive art, however , typically Western candelabra and mirrors appear. The latter help to reflect light and lighten the atmosphere, which could be weighed down by the majestic and dark furniture.
If you want to use African colonial style furniture in the bedroom too and you have a high enough ceiling, go for a four poster bed . The light fabrics of these beds served to keep mosquitoes away, while today they are simply decorative. Mistakes to avoid
Those who furnish a home in an African ethnic style do not claim to reproduce a 100% African home, at least not usually. Consequently, it is quite normal that you want to rework original designs according to your taste and culture. But be careful not to make the following mistakes .
- Too many styles together . African tribal or colonial furniture is already in itself a mix of different traditions. Therefore, avoid combining too many different influences. Rather, it uses a single style as a guideline , enriching it with elements taken from other cultures but chosen with care.
- Only dark colors , especially if in a small room. The décor of an African colonial style house is full of dark and heavy furniture. Try to lighten them up with rugs in shades of beige, plants and paintings.
- Furniture covered with figurines and other accessories. Even though it is an essential element of the African ethnic style, don’t overdo it with knick-knacks.
- Animalier everywhere . The brindle or zebra fabrics are one of the peculiarities of African furniture . Use them sparingly , such as for throw pillows on a plain sofa or for a rug. Too many animal motifs risk leading to bad taste.
These are the essential tips for designing furniture for an African style home . Now all you have to do is get to work and bring a little bit of the Black Continent within your four walls.
