Decorating with African style home decor is a popular theme. The animals and scenery that we associate with Africa are simultaneously tranquil, serene and wild, untamed. From a psychological perspective, this is something a lot of people can relate to. An African Safari appears on a lot of bucket lists.

African Home Accents
Even if you've never been to Africa, you can display collectibles that remind you of Africa. Specialty decorating stores and web vendors sell things that, for decorating purposes, could be real live souvenirs from Africa.

An African Themed Mural

We're budget decorators, we always start with paint. Paint is inexpensive, makes a dramatic difference and covers a lot of square footage. There are really two ways an African style mural can go. You may want to do a tropical jungle scene, with tall trees, hanging vines and exotic flowers, for a mostly green color scheme.

Alternatively, you may want to do a desert theme, with a pale blue sky, endless crackled sand, and perhaps a muddy oasis. This would yield an overall tannish color scheme that's a great backdrop for colorful kente cloth or woven baskets.



Souvenirs from Africa

I wouldn't advocate buying actual ivory souvenirs from africa because the only way they can get the ivory is to slaughter a live elephant. Poachers kill perfectly healthy elephants just to steal their tusks, it's terrible. Please skip the ivory of get some imitation. I think your home decor says something about you and if I saw real ivory in someone's home (unless it was an antique) I'd think less of them.

Anyways, there are Kente cloth souvenirs like the pillows above, whistles, drums and other instruments made from clay or wooden masks. There's also baskets with patterns woven into them. There are so many different kinds of African souvenirs available. You don't really have to go to Africa to buy them, just keep your eyes open, I've seen real African masks at thrift shops and a bag full of African beads at a yard sale. You don't have to spend a fortune, you just have to look intently. Something will come up. If you want something specific, you can always look online.



An African decorating theme is beautiful, celebrating the diverse colors and landscapes in Africa allows a decorator several different options, just use the one that most appeals to you.