13 Mind-blowing Afrocentric Home Decor Ideas

Africa’s unique landscape offers an unrivaled natural experience that would leave anyone wanting more. Little wonder the continent attracts a huge number of tourists annually. No matter the time or season, Africa has something exciting to offer.

In a bid to take that experience and feeling back home, the search for Afrocentric home decor ideas has grown. Therefore, it is no longer a secret that many visitors treasure the memories of their time in Africa and take home souvenirs that they proudly display.

It could be a sculpture, fabric, or a memorable picture. It has become a trend over the years and more people are adopting an Afrocentric design for their homes, hence the need for these dazzling home decor ideas. In this article, we will show you 13 incredible Afrocentric home decors that you could try out.

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Afrocentric home decor ideas

When it comes to Afrocentric home decor, the options are limitless. Sadly, the large volume of available options can make it harder for people to make up their minds. To make the selection process easier, we have split the available Afrocentric home decor ideas into different categories.

Color-based home decor ideas

Some people paint their homes so that it would look complete. However, colors can be so much more. The color of a house is one way of showing preference and distinction. Instead of the usual mono or dual-color paint, try painting your home using bright colors that are synonymous with Africa.

You can create an Afrocentric theme in your bedroom by using the right color combinations. Some colors to consider are Ocher, green, brown, blue, and grey. These colors can vary in shades depending on what you’re aiming for.

#1. Mixing ocher with other colors

The ocher comes in different shades. It can stand alone or be combined with other colors like light or dark brown and green. Ocher blends well with brown colors and is a great combination for desert lovers since it can mimic the sand dunes of the African desert.

It is also the right color to use if you are aiming to recreate the African sunset view. Adding a touch of green is a nice way to bring things to life. This can be achieved using a potted plant or accessories like curtains which will be discussed later in this article.

For just a subtle desert feel, try tossing ocher pillows on your couch and bed. If you are still craving for more, swap your duvet with ocher Africentric duvet.

#2. Blend ocher with sky blue

Blue is another color that will make an excellent choice for an Afrocentric bedroom. You can combine blue colors with warmer accessories like gold (ocher) or yellow for a perfect contrast.

A good example is the yellow duvet and pillows in the picture above. To complete the scene you will need props. These are standalone items that most times are purely for aesthetics.

#3. Mix brown with animal prints

Brown, grey, and green can be combined to mimic the African forest. Each of these can come in different shades used together or separately. Combining these colors to get the perfect Afrocentric feel requires balance. That is why it is important to always complement it with other items.

If you already have furniture of another color, no need to throw them away. Simply coat them with animal skin cloth to get a similar vibe.

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African-themed print home decor ideas

African prints are common Afrocentric home decor ideas that are easy to incorporate into our daily lives. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors and serve different purposes. They also come with tribal prints, animal prints, or drawings. Tribal prints are typically traditionally-styled prints that could either mimic nature or simply be abstract art.

Animal prints, on the other hand, are inspired by the unique skin colors of animals found in the African Safari. Common animal prints used in Afrocentric home decors are leopard prints, Zebra prints, Cheetah prints, Giraffe and Tiger prints.

#4. Wall prints

Wall prints are a great way of decorating your bedroom. With a wall print, you can go as large as you want to, and also cover a huge part of the room. Using Afrocentric wall prints instantly brings your home to life.

You can go for life-sized wall prints portraying an animal, plant, or any African tribal markings. This makes a perfect home decor idea for bedrooms and sitting rooms.

#5. Table mats

Table cloths, Napkins, and mats may seem inconsequential at first. However, remember these are some of the most used accessories and important addition to a dining set. You can use this to add a touch of African accent to your sitting room and even your bedroom.

All you need are mats, napkins, or table cloths with African prints on them. When choosing table mat with African print for your afrocentric home design, make sure you pick a color that complements your furniture and wall. Choosing contrasting colors will kill the vibe.

#6. Curtains and veils

Curtains can be found in nearly every room in the house. Thus, they play an important role in achieving the perfect Afrocentric home decor. They are also great home decor ideas where you have limited wall spaces.

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You can opt for curtains with tribal prints, iconic symbols, or solid colors. While there are numerous Afrocentric home design ideas to choose from, kente curtains are particularly stunning to behold.

#7. Pillow, bed, and sofa covers

Sofas, Pillows, and even your bed covers can help accentuate the look and feel of your Afrocentric decor. A throw pillow with an animal skin cover, an animal print duvet, and a Sofa with African tribal prints are all great ways of creating an Afrocentric home.

Tip – Always remember to mix things up a bit (that is, use both tribal and animal prints) to make your Afrocentric home to have a more natural feel. When it comes to Afrocentric home decor ideas, monotony is boring.

#8. African craft home decor idea

Nothing spells Africa like its tribal sculptures, carvings, and statues. These crafts come in different shapes and sizes. Large or small carvings may serve a purpose like a traditional candlestick or Cigar tray.

Although many are purely for aesthetics, others can easily be turned into candle stand or ash tray. Nevertheless, these crafts give your home the much-needed Afrocentric theme. African crafts are often symbolic of African traditional religion.

Tip – Place these statues, carvings, or sculptures in an area where they can easily be seen. Larger scuptures can stand on the ground in strategic locations while smaller sculptures should be placed on book shelves and television stands.

Accessories

There are myriads of African sculptures that can come in handy at homes. While Afrocentric home decor accessories also beautify, their primary aim is to be used daily in homes. Not sur of the Afrocentric home accessories you should add to your collection? Have a look.

#9. Props

Another Afrocentric home decor idea is using props to create a scene. This doesn’t have to be anything special as long as it is symbolic of the continent. Typical examples are dried twigs, palm fronds, and the African wooden stool.

Most rural dwellers have found myriads of use for wooden stools. These wooden stools can be placed along the wall or used by kids in their rooms. The local African broom placed strategically in a room is often enough to create an Afrocentric theme.

#10. Cane furniture

A piece of cane furniture is a perfect item for spicing up your Afrocentric home decor. They come in different designs and you can use them to furnish your sitting room. There are cane dining sets, sofas, and even coffee tables.

You can also decide to mix things up a bit by combining modern furniture with cane furniture for an Afro-contemporary feel. Art is relaxing and having an artistic furniture like the cane chair will change the mood in your home.

#11. Outdoor tent

For relaxing on a sunny day, use an Afrocentric tent constructed with bamboo and a thatch roof. This can be used to house a pool table, a bar, an outdoor bed, or all three, if it is large enough.

You can also put a veil around the tent. If you decide to go fo this option, pick a veil with a warm color like gold. Throw in some African crafts and an animal skin rug to complete the look.

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#12. African print rugs

Floor coverings are an important addition to every home. The color and design of your rug will add to the overall aesthetic of the house. African print rugs are available in tribal patterns and animal prints.

The animal print rugs are usually the most captivating, especially those with a large animal head. These rugs can be used in the bedroom, sitting room, and even an outdoor tent.

Tip – When using a floor covering, ensure you use a print design that’s different from what is on the wall. Having the same print designs on the floor and wall feels a bit overwhelming.

#13. African inspired candle stands

Candles can be used to add ambiance and bring a unique atmosphere to the entire surrounding. It is like the last piece of jewelry that is needed to complete a fashion statement. However, you can elevate the feel and mood using Afrocentric candlestand.

Candlestands come in many different designs. Uniquely styled candlesticks do more than just hold candles. They add to the overall feel of an Afrocentric themed home.

Conclusion

Whether you are aiming for a complete Afrocentric theme or you simply want to spice up the contemporary look of your home, these ideas are helpful in achieving both. We’ve also provided tips on how to avoid “overdoing” it.

In our experience, it is best to keep things simple and minimal in most cases, especially when using props. If you have tried any of these ideas, kindly share your experience in the comment section below.