While leaving our homes to embark on places unknown may not be on the immediate agenda these days, access a taste of travel by visiting online retailers who curate shoppable collections and home decor inspiration from around the globe.
54kibo is a digital resource of contemporary African design, home decor items created by designers from Africa and its diaspora and delivered straight to your door with free shipping. From throw pillows to towels, wall art to furniture, these modern interpretations of century-old patterns and design methods can accent a room and light up a living space.
Taking that first step in updating the interiors of your home may seem daunting. Here is a list of steps you can take to feel confident in bringing a new item or two into your own home.
Choose One Room
Select one room at a time and fully focus on infusing creativity into that specific space. Perhaps it is a room where you spend the most time in, or an area that has maintained the same look for a while. When it comes time to purchase, it will be easier to concentrate on this one area, and whether you decide to pick one item or two new pieces, you will be able to easily visualize its place.
Get Specific and Write It Down
Once a room has been selected, get specific with what you’d like to see different. For example, is your current color palette monochromatic: do you need a pop of color? Identify areas of the room that you want to update and then write them down. If you have a budget you are sticking to, this would be a good time to cement this on paper, too.
Shop by Country
The Shop by Country feature on 54kibo organizes artists by location. Click through designers based in South Africa, for example, to discover the range of designs from patterned kids’ toys and prints on throw pillows, to sustainable lighting options, all inspired by methodologies and materials common to the country of origin.
Ask Questions
It’s never a bad idea to ask for second opinions before investing in a design piece for your home. Send a message by clicking on the ‘help’ button on the bottom right corner of the screen with any question about a specific design. If you want to receive suggestions about fitting certain pieces within your existing interior, attach a few photos to your message and someone from the design team will provide you with suggestions that are specifically tailored to your home.
Search for Inspired Looks
Social media is a great way to explore design ideas and ways to style interiors. For example, 54kibo’s Instagram page showcases a variety of staged looks that incorporate items from the collection. No matter where you are in your interior redesign, receiving inspiration from online retailers is a helpful way to envision and execute room updates, all from the comfort of your home.
Arriving at home redesign projects with a clear plan can help organize your thoughts and clarify your wants and needs from the start. Hopefully, these steps will help navigate your journey as you update your interiors!
