Filling your home with African art decor is more than just a design choice—it’s about creating a space that feels alive with culture, history, and personal meaning. Each piece of art tells a story, whether it’s an intricately carved mask from West Africa or a contemporary painting by a rising artist from Zimbabwe. But bringing these stories into your home is about more than just hanging something on the wall, it’s about building a collection that feels like you.
Here are some ideas to help you display African art in a way that makes your home not just beautiful but deeply personal.
Hanging Paintings and Prints
Paintings and prints are probably the easiest way to bring African art into your home, but where you hang them can make all the difference.
- Make It a Focal Point: A bold, colorful painting deserves center stage—above the sofa, on a blank dining room wall, or even in the bedroom where it’s the first thing you see when you wake up.
- Play with Gallery Walls: If you can’t decide on one piece, create a gallery wall! Combine different works—paintings, prints, and maybe a woven textile or two from various African artists. Mix frames or go frameless for a more relaxed vibe.
- Think About Height: Art looks best when it’s hung at eye level. If it’s in a room where people are mostly sitting, like the living room, hang it lower to match that perspective.
Showcasing Sculptures and Masks
There’s something powerful about African sculptures and masks as they have a presence that can transform a space.
- Find Their Spotlight: A stunning wooden mask by the Bamileke people of Cameroon, known for their intricate carvings, or a bold Senufo helmet mask from Côte d’Ivoire can serve as a centerpiece in an entryway or living room. Mount it on the wall or display it on a minimalist pedestal to let it shine.
- Create Small Moments: If you have smaller sculptures, group them on a console table or a shelf. Vary the heights and use simple stands if needed to give each piece its space to shine.
- Keep It Simple: Masks and sculptures have such rich textures and forms. Give them room to breathe by placing them against plain walls or clean surfaces.
Incorporating Photography
African photography is both contemporary and timeless, perfect for a modern home.
- Choose a Theme: Build a series of photographs around a theme that resonates with you—portraits, cityscapes, or even abstract imagery. Group them together to create a visual story. If you’re drawn to contemporary styles, consider works by Zanele Muholi known for their striking self-portraits, or Osborne Macharia, whose Afrofuturistic compositions tell imaginative stories.
- Make a Statement: An oversized black-and-white photograph can add drama to a minimalist space. Place it in the living room or above the fireplace where it can really shine.
- Get Personal: Combine professional photography with family photos or images. It’s a subtle way to make your collection uniquely yours.
Displaying African Textiles
African textiles like mudcloth, kente, batik, Ankara or kuba are more than just fabric, they’re art in their own right. For example artworks from artists like Marcellina Akpojotor who works primarily with discarded pieces of the Ankara fabric sourced from local fashion houses or Malawian artist, Billie Zangewa who hand sews silk fabrics to create collage tapestries will add a creative flair to your home decor.
- Go Big: Stretch a bold textile on a wooden frame to turn it into a stunning piece of wall art. Hang it above your bed or in the hallway for an unexpected pop of texture and color. You can also go for artworks that incorporate textile as a medium to enhance creativity.
- Add Comfort and Style: Drape a piece of mudcloth over your sofa or use kente as a throw on your bed. It adds warmth and personality while showing off the textile’s craftsmanship.
- Use Textiles as Functional Art: Fold smaller pieces and display them in a basket or use them as runners on dining tables. They’ll catch the eye and invite people to touch and admire them.
Functional Art: Furniture, Baskets, and Ceramics
One of the best things about African art is how often it blends beauty and functionality. Incorporating works of an artist like Chuma Maweni who makes meticulously crafted ceramic furnitures and vessels would make for a really nice addition to your personal collection.
- Let Furniture Do the Talking: A carved stool or chair can be a conversation piece. Place it in a corner or use it as a side table to add character to your space.
- Baskets as Wall Art: Instead of hiding beautiful woven baskets in storage, hang them on the wall. A collection of different sizes and patterns creates a stunning focal point in any room.
- Play with Ceramics: African pottery is perfect for displaying on shelves or tabletops. Cluster a few pieces together, and if you’re feeling adventurous, use them as planters for succulents or dried flowers.
The best part about curating a personal collection is that it evolves over time. You can find a painting at an art fair that speaks to you or a mask during your travels that feels like it belongs in your home, don’t be afraid to rotate pieces in and out or rearrange displays. Art is meant to be lived with, not just looked at.
Ultimately, curating African art for your home isn’t about following rules, it’s about creating a space that feels true to who you are. Whether it’s one striking piece or a growing collection, let each artwork remind you of the beauty you want to surround yourself with.