How to Decorate a House With an African Theme
African themes in the home offer a wide range of styles and designs. From the Moroccan style that captures the mood of the African coast to the more exotic places in Africa that reflect the atmosphere of the jungle, there are many moods from which to choose. By focusing on a few details, you can decorate your home with an African theme that reflects the beauty of the continent. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Use earth colors in your rooms. Deep red, green, orange, gold, tan and black are associated with African themes. Think about using colors you see in blazing sunsets in one room and using the wide range of green and brown colors of the deep forest in another room. Golden hues on your walls will create a warm and inviting look that will go with most color schemes.
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Use natural wood for furniture and look for items that are hand-carved. Create an authentic feel to your décor by using a natural wood bench or a hand-carved table. Display masks and sculptures carved from wood to complement your furniture.
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Hang African art on your walls. Use authentic cloths and wall hangings as focal points. Subjects such as animals and landscapes enhance the décor in any room. Look for unusual items such as masks, jewelry and traditional African objects, such as tools, to lend an African flavor to your rooms.
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Add animal prints to your rooms. Fabrics with animal prints are popular in homes with African themes and the prints can range from leopard spots to tiger stripes. Use these fabrics for your selection of rugs, throws, pillows and in window treatments. Use splashes of color to brighten animal prints. For example, a red pillow on a chair covered in zebra print is an inspired look.
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Choose natural fabrics and textures to enhance the African theme in your rooms. Wood, jute, rattan, bamboo, raffia and handmade pottery enhance the look you’re going for with this style. Look for wicker baskets and bamboo trays to store your items. Use a variety of materials in different rooms to complement the mood and feel of the African plains or jungle.
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Tips & Warnings
Visit flea markets and garage sales to look for items you can add to your African décor. Don’t use too many different elements in one room. Too many animal prints will only make a room feel too busy. Choose one or two patterns per room to keep the rooms inviting.
References
- Photo Credit Red African Mask image by paul hampton from Fotolia.com
