“South Africa is climbing the influence charts within interior design circles,” says Sarah Bianchi, CEO of heritage furniture brand Arighi Bianchi.
Known for her keen eye on emerging global trends, Bianchi is urging design lovers to cast their gaze southwards — because right now, South African style is having a serious moment.
So, what makes this design-forward destination so special? Arighi’s team of style spotters weigh in on why South African interiors are being hailed as the next big thing — and why it’s a look worth embracing.
“South African style often gets stuck in a tired narrative – kids safari themed bedrooms or a surface-level nod to ‘tribal’ design that can come across as culturally vague” says Sarah Bianchi, CEO of Arighi Bianchi. “The influence of South African style is so much more – and 100% relevant to the direction UK home décor trends are heading: it’s a movement rooted in sustainability, earthy palettes and storytelling with modern elegance.
“The country has a phenomenally cool contemporary design scene. Cape Town Design Week is jaw-dropping for its vibrant celebration of creativity rooted in cultural authenticity, sustainability, and social impact, spotlighting fresh talent across fashion, art, and innovation. With the city as its living canvas, it brings together diverse voices to co-create, disrupt norms, and reimagine the future of design.
“South Africa is also a design powerhouse that’s spawned brands like Dokter and Misses, Wiid Design and Weylandts; local artisans working with rattan, ceramic, leather, and which celebrates bold colour palettes that play with sun-bleached tones and raw natural textures. Totally 2025-6 trends that are gathering pace!”
Sarah adds: “Today’s South African design speaks to a new generation of interiors – one that values storytelling over trend cycles, and texture over mass production. From hand-carved furniture to sun-faded tones, this is a design language grounded in place, but fluent in global luxury.
“And there’s a quiet power to South African interiors – a softness to the palette, a rawness in the materials, and a sincerity in how things are made. That balance of earth and artistry is what makes it so relevant to how we want our homes to feel today.”
Arighi Bianchi unveils its latest design direction, embracing the rich textures, earthy palettes and authentic craftsmanship of South African style
With influences spanning from the Cape’s artisan studios to the wide skies of the bushveld, Arighi’s new Postcards from South Africa collection embraces:
- Afro-minimalism – a design philosophy rooted in less-but-better, where form meets function through heritage craftsmanship
- Natural materials – think sun-drenched woods, woven grass, stone, linen and clay
- Sustainability by design – ethically sourced, low-impact, and built to last
- Emotive palettes – warm neutrals, clay reds, sage greens and sand tones that echo the South African landscape
As the world of interiors continues to evolve, South African style stands out for all the right reasons — bold yet grounded, rich in heritage yet refreshingly modern.
With its focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, and unapologetic individuality, it offers a welcome antidote to mass-produced minimalism.
So whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining your whole home, take a cue from this design-forward destination — and let a little South African soul into your space.
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