AFRICAN HOME IN THE MODERN WORLD

Illustrated images for this article are internet sourced.

Understanding Africa as it exists today requires an understanding of the broader historical trends that have dominated the continent’s past through a historical context for understanding climate change as it’s in contemporary Africa. Today, Africans are now placing more emphasis on the new technology and other modern ways of living. This induction is positively affecting our orientation in the area of architecture generally. However, our focus for this article is basically on interior which is why it’s titled ‘’African home in the modern world.’’ 

Modern African home decor brings the beauty of the traditional craft forms of life through inspired designs, and African interior designers excelled at transforming simple natural and recycled materials into functional art that celebrate modern African creativity. Before now, modern interior design trends in Africa were only reserved for hotels, upscale game lodges, and top governmental annex etc. change started few years ago and African designs influence can now be found in most homes around the world as interior designers now add exotic African touches for a sophisticated look that lends itself to modern contemporary interiors. Usually, the imitation of animal skins (of course, we definitely don’t condone the use of genuine skins!), tribal masks, woven baskets and geometric shapes in all colours and sizes and many other elements which are always available to us locally were the pivot of African interior design materials that can be added together as an African touch to a modern home. Today Africans no longer rely solely on the use of natural and organic materials only, in fact, bright colours and acid tones work just as well because these encourage an extra dimension to modern decorating trends.

Now, what sets modern African decor apart from the more traditional way of decorating in style, is the mix of modern technology with natural and organic materials in a more minimalistic way that encourages clean and unique interiors with bright and warm reflection. The focus is now on less decor items that add vivid pattern, colour and gadgets that makes a modern home to be full of loving and sweet memories. More comfort is now an important aspect of African modern home, large expanses of leather or upholstered sofas, plump cushions, faux skin ottomans, modern flooring, and a nice piece of original African art – all these add to the look and feel of an African-inspired interior.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Today Africans are now particular about smart home technology because they do consider smart home components significant when looking for comfort, honestly what is a home without comfort? Smart lighting, citing security, privacy and cost/energy savings as the most important functions for technology are gradually becoming a client’s major interest in Africa. Familiar brands with the proliferation of products such as Apple, Amazon and Google smart home technologies are likely to rise in consumer awareness in the African region, in the near future. Through exhibitions and other marketing channels, new smart home technologies are introduced to the African market annually; this development has changed our orientation of living. 

We are living in the golden age of technology. In recent years, life has become more digital. Smartphones have become one of the major tech developments, this means that the next big step is the development of smart homes and that is coming to Africa with big market values. Smart home technology is any suite of devices, appliances or systems that connect into a common network that can be independently and remotely controlled. When your home technology works together in one system then you can say you have a connected home. The modern smart home automation allows you to tap into high-tech functionality and luxury that wasn’t possible before. As technology continues to expand, so will the possibility of consumer home automation make life easier for Africans with home management insights.

The African home in the modern world is now! If you are looking to refresh or makeover your home, consider using the resources you have at your fingertips. International interior designers have gone far with modern technology, so can we.  

An article by M.J.