Inspiring Dcor Ideas From Cape Town

As a former World Design Capital, Cape Town is renowned for its innovative craft and design industry. Here are a few nifty ideas from the Mother City to help decorate your space.

Add fun South African elements to your living space

Printed cushions and lampshades are an easy and low-cost way to add style and color to your living room or bedroom. If you’re inspired by South Africa, pick up these quirky printed covers from Sera Holland of Handmade by Me, a Cape Town-based design and textile company. Their covers are made of 100% cotton and feature distinct South African designs, such as the Big Five, the Protea flower, and Cape Town landscapes.

Big 5 Lion cushion cover from Handmade by Me

Protea, Aloe and Prickly Pear cushion covers from Handmade by Me

Rugs are a great way to anchor a room while adding warmth and character. As one of the largest wool producers in the world, you might want to consider sourcing a high-quality handwoven rug from South Africa. Local interior brand Coral and Hive’s bespoke rugs are traditionally hand spun by local craftswomen from pure Karacul wool, cotton and mohair. Their rugs are extremely durable and are available in a variety of pattern and color combinations to suit your individual needs.

Weaving a rug by hand on a traditional loom

Store your things in quirky cabinets

Cupboards or cabinets have always been seen as a mundane necessity in the home, but with the latest trends in cabinet design, they’re no longer boring and one-dimensional. For example, take these locker cabinets from Mother City Hardware. Their signature retro style and pop of color will happily spruce up any space.

Cool retro lockers from Mother City Hardware

Choose creative light fixtures

Good lighting is an important aspect of any décor or renovation plan. It not only helps to create a warm and inviting ambiance, it also adds to the visual appeal of a room. These beautiful lights from young industrial designer Ashlee Ainsley Lloyd expertly marries style with function. They are personally handcrafted by Lloyd herself, using pure materials such as cork, hand-spun metal, and crocheted yarn.

Create interest with ceramic pieces

Ceramic pieces in vibrant prints and colors can add life to an otherwise dull living room or kitchen. You can choose to create a full display or use a solitary piece to highlight a specific area. This striking range of vases, bowls and plates, which are designed and handmade by local ceramicist Catherine Ash, will easily brighten up any room or dinner table.

Add individuality with designer fabrics

If you desire a unique look for your interior space, steer clear of department stores and consider upholstering your furniture in eclectic fabrics from designers in your city. These beautiful hand-printed fabrics from Love Milo are adorned with minimalist designs inspired by nature. Their textiles are made from 100% cotton and only eco-friendly inks are used.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.