Finding Furniture and Accessories for your home

Are you ready to give your home a fresh new look? Whether you want to update your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom, a decorating project can be a fun and rewarding way to transform your space. But before you start shopping for furniture, paint, and accessories, you need to do some planning. In this article, we will show you how to set a realistic budget, measure your space, and create a mood board for your home decor project. These steps will help you avoid common pitfalls and achieve your decorating goals. Let’s get started!

Know your furniture theme and Style

A theme is a specific idea or concept that you want to express in your home decor. A style is a general category or classification of home decor that has certain characteristics and features. For example, you can have a theme of nature, travel, or music, and a style of modern, traditional, ethnic, or eclectic. A theme and a style can work together to create a unique and personalised look for your space, but they can also clash or conflict if they are not compatible or coherent.

When choosing a theme and a style for your home decor, you need to consider your personal preferences, interests, and values, as well as the function and size of your space. You also need to do some research and inspiration, such as browsing magazines, websites, blogs, or social media, visiting stores, showrooms, or galleries, or asking friends, family, or professionals for advice. Here are some examples of popular themes and styles for home decor:

• Modern: This is a style that emphasises simplicity, functionality, and minimalism. It features clean lines, geometric shapes, neutral colours, and sleek materials, such as metal, glass, or concrete. A modern home decor can create a sophisticated, elegant, and spacious look, but it can also be cold, impersonal, or sterile if you don’t add some warmth, colour, or personality.

• Traditional: This is a style that emphasises comfort, elegance, and classicism. It features curved lines, ornate details, rich colours, and luxurious materials, such as wood, leather, or silk. A traditional home decor can create a cosy, refined, and timeless look, but it can also be cluttered, outdated, or boring if you don’t add some freshness, variety, or creativity.

• Ethnic: This is a style that emphasises culture, diversity, and exoticism. It features vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and unique materials, such as bamboo, rattan, or pottery. An ethnic home decor can create a colourful, lively, and interesting look, but it can also be overwhelming, chaotic, or inappropriate if you don’t respect the origin, meaning, or context of the elements you use.

• Eclectic: This is a style that emphasises individuality, creativity, and expression. It features a mix of colours, patterns, and materials from different themes, styles, or periods. An eclectic home decor can create a fun, quirky, and original look, but it can also be confusing, messy, or tacky if you don’t have a clear vision, balance, or harmony.

Finding Furniture and Accessories

Once you have chosen your colour scheme and theme, you need to find the furniture and accessories that will complete your home decor project. Furniture and accessories are the items that provide function, comfort, and style to your space, such as sofas, tables, chairs, beds, lamps, rugs, pillows, curtains, paintings, and so on. Depending on your budget, preference, and availability, you can find the best sources for furniture and accessories in Uganda from the following options:

Online Shopping

Online shopping is a convenient and easy way to find furniture and accessories from the comfort of your home. You can browse through a wide range of products, compare prices and quality, and order them online with delivery or pickup options.

Some of the benefits of online shopping are:

• You can save time and money by avoiding traffic, parking, and transportation costs.
• You can access a variety of products from different brands, styles, and categories.
• You can read customer reviews and ratings to get an idea of the product's quality and service.
• You can take advantage of discounts, offers, and coupons to get the best deals.

Some of the drawbacks of online shopping are:

• You cannot see, touch, or test the products in person before buying them.
• You may have to pay extra for shipping, handling, and taxes.
• You may face delays, damages, or losses during delivery or pickup.
• You may have to deal with returns, refunds, or exchanges if you are not satisfied with the products.

Some of the best online sources for furniture and accessories in Uganda are:

• Buy Furniture Uganda: This is an online furniture store that manufactures various furniture products like sofas, beds, centre tables, and dining sets. You can order your item online and get it delivered to any place of your preference. They also offer custom-made furniture and free installation services.

• Alijeda Furniture Manufacturer: This is an online furniture store that offers high-quality, custom-made furniture in Uganda. They specialise in woodwork, metalwork, plastic manufacturing, and upholstery. You can choose from their catalogue or design your own furniture according to your specifications and budget.

• Jumia: This is an online marketplace that sells a variety of products, including furniture and accessories. You can find products from different sellers, brands, and categories, such as sofas, beds, tables, chairs, lamps, rugs, pillows, curtains, and more. You can also enjoy fast delivery, secure payment, and easy returns.

Local Markets

Local markets are another option to find furniture and accessories in Uganda. You can visit the local markets, which are very common along busy road sides, and explore the products offered by the local vendors, artisans, and craftsmen.

Some of the benefits of local markets are:

• You can see, touch, and test the products in person before buying them.

• You can support the local economy and community by buying from local sellers.

• You can bargain and negotiate the prices and quality of the products.

• You can find unique and authentic products that reflect the local culture and tradition.

Some of the drawbacks of local markets are:

• You may have to spend more time and money on transportation and parking.

• You may have to deal with crowds, noise, and pollution.

• You may have to face fraud, theft, or scams.

• You may have limited options and a variety of products.

Some of the best local markets for furniture and accessories in Uganda are:

• Along Nsambya-Gaba Road, you can find products made from wood, metal, plastic, fabric, and more. You can also enjoy the lively atmosphere and the street food.

• Along Kireka-Banda Road, this is another popular market in Kampala, where you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers, as well as furniture and accessories. You can find products made from natural materials, such as bamboo, rattan, and pottery. You can also admire the colourful and vibrant displays of the products.

• Craft Village: This is a market that specialises in handicrafts, souvenirs, and art, where you can find furniture and accessories. You can find products made from wood, metal, stone, beads, and more. You can also interact with the artisans and learn about their skills and stories.

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are another option to find furniture and accessories in Uganda. You can visit the thrift stores in your area or nearby towns and cities and browse through the second-hand or donated products offered by the thrift stores.

Some of the benefits of thrift stores are:

• You can save money by buying used or discounted products.

• You can find vintage, antique, or rare products that have a history and a character.

• You can reduce waste and environmental impact by reusing or recycling products.

• You can support a good cause by buying from thrift stores that donate their profits to charity or social projects.

Some of the drawbacks of thrift stores are:

• You may have to spend more time and effort to find the products that suit your needs and preferences.

• You may have to compromise on the quality, condition, or functionality of the products.

• You may have to clean, repair, or refurbish the products before using them.

• You may have limited options and a variety of products.

DIY Projects

DIY projects are another option to find furniture and accessories in Uganda. You can create your own furniture and accessories from scratch or by using existing materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, fabric, and more. You can follow online tutorials, guides, or books, or use your own imagination and creativity.

Some of the benefits of DIY projects are:

• You can save money by using cheap or free materials.

• You can customise the products according to your taste, style, and space.

• You can express your personality and individuality through the products.

• You can have fun and learn new skills and techniques.

Some of the drawbacks of DIY projects are:

• You may have to spend more time and energy to create the products.

• You may have to buy or borrow the tools and equipment needed to create the products.

• You may have to face challenges, mistakes, or failures during the process.

• You may have to deal with safety, health, or legal issues related to the products.

Some of the best online sources for DIY projects for furniture and accessories are:

• Pinterest: This is an online platform that allows you to discover and save ideas for any project or interest. You can find thousands of DIY ideas for furniture and accessories, such as sofas, tables, chairs, beds, lamps, rugs, pillows, curtains, paintings, and more. You can also create your own boards and pins to organise and share your ideas.

• YouTube: This is an online platform that allows you to watch and share videos on any topic or category. You can find hundreds of DIY videos for furniture and accessories, such as tutorials, tips, hacks, and reviews. You can also subscribe to your favourite channels and comment on the videos.

• Instructables: This is an online platform that allows you to explore and share projects on any topic or category. You can find dozens of DIY projects for furniture and accessories, including instructions, photos, videos, and materials. You can also join contests and challenges and win prizes.

Adding Personal Touches and Local Flair

The final step of your home decor project is adding some personal touches and local flair to your space. Personal touches and local flair are the elements that make your home decor unique, meaningful, and expressive. They are the elements that showcase your culture and identity, your memories and experiences, your hobbies and passions, and your personality and style. Here are some ways to add some personal touches and local flair to your home decor:

Artwork and Photos

Artwork and photos are great ways to add some colour, texture, and character to your walls. You can choose artwork and photos that reflect your interests, values, and beliefs, such as paintings, drawings, prints, posters, or sculptures. You can also choose artwork and photos that represent your culture and heritage, such as maps, flags, symbols, or icons. You can also choose artwork and photos that capture your memories and moments, such as family portraits, travel souvenirs, or event tickets. You can display your artwork and photos in frames, shelves, or collages and arrange them in a way that suits your space and style.

Plants and Flowers

Plants and flowers are great ways to add some life, freshness, and fragrance to your space. You can choose plants and flowers that suit your climate, lighting, and maintenance, such as succulents, cacti, orchids, or roses. You can also choose plants and flowers that have a special meaning or significance for you, such as your national flower, your birth flower, or your favourite flower. You can also choose plants and flowers that have a decorative or functional purpose, such as herbs, spices, or fruits. You can display your plants and flowers in pots, vases, baskets, or terrariums and place them in a way that enhances your space and mood.

Rugs and Cushions

Rugs and cushions are great ways to add some comfort, warmth, and cosiness to your space. You can choose rugs and cushions that match your colour scheme and theme, such as solid, striped, or patterned. You can also choose rugs and cushions that feature your culture and tradition, such as batik, kente, or shweshwe. You can also choose rugs and cushions that express your personality and taste, such as funny, cute, or elegant. You can display your rugs and cushions on your floor, sofa, bed, or chair and layer them in a way that creates a soft and inviting look.

Lighting and Candles

Lighting and candles are great ways to add some ambiance, mood, and romance to your space. You can choose lighting and candles that suit your function and preference, such as lamps, chandeliers, or fairy lights. You can also choose lighting and candles that reflect your culture and celebration, such as lanterns, menorahs, or diya. You can also choose lighting and candles that create a specific effect or atmosphere, such as dim, bright, or colourful. You can display your lighting and candles on your ceiling, wall, table, or shelf and adjust them in a way that sets the tone and the vibe for your space.

If you are a clueless expat without a clue of where to find these gems, Kampala has some absolutely exquisite home décor shops offering unique and lovely pieces that really provide something extra when it comes to making your home your own.

Some of the best craft centres in Kampala

There are various craft centres in Kampala where you can always check and get yourself good African crafts to commemorate your Uganda safari. These include;<

• Banana Boat: With more than three locations, Banana Boat is a sophisticated chain of craft stores. It is available in Kisementi, Lugogo Mall, and Garden City Complex. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Uganda Crafts 2000: Located near the Teachers House on Plot 32-36, Bombo Road, Uganda Crafts 2000 is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is a charitable organisation that helps the crippled and widowed.

• Exposure Africa: This may be found in Kampala at Plot 15 Buganda Road. It is the biggest craft centre in Kampala, offering crafts from all over the country and from all over Uganda.

• Nommo Gallery: The Nommo Gallery can be found in Nakasero, Kampala, at Plot 4 Victoria Avenue. It's a free-to-browse museum with a really good selection of aesthetically pleasing artwork. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Uganda Arts & Crafts Village: With a large selection of handicrafts, Uganda Arts & Crafts Village is located behind the National Theatre. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Craft Africa: Plot 17 Buganda Road, Kampala, is home to Craft Africa. This provides a selection of unique crafts from across Africa. It is open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Others include the Nsambya Juakali Craft Market and Craft Box, among others.

To sum up,

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned some useful tips on how to decorate your home in Uganda. Decorating your home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging and overwhelming. That’s why I created this guide to help you plan, choose, find, arrange, and add some personal touches and local flair to your home decor. Now it’s your turn to put these tips into practise and create your own cosy and stylish home. I would love to hear from you and see your results. Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts, questions, and photos of your home. If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family, who might also benefit from it. And if you want to receive more tips and ideas on home decor and other topics, please subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social media. Thank you for reading, and happy decorating!