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Over the last few years, African furniture design has had more success than ever before. Designers are dreaming up new concepts and creating a different pathway for furniture to be explored and enjoyed across the globe.
Every home needs a table, a surface for making meals, hosting dinners, working to generate ideas, or simply holding books and guests’ drinks. It is a multifunctional piece of furniture that shapes the home; each table placed in each room has a unique purpose that helps the home come alive. The usefulness of the table goes beyond its practical function; it can become a statement of culture, craftsmanship and identity.
Across Africa, table design reflects the continent’s rich traditions, materials and artistic expressions. Many feature hand-carved hardwood, woven surfaces and contemporary pieces inspired by traditional forms; African designers are reimagining the table as both a functional object and a work of art. The use of locally sourced materials such as timber, stone, metal and natural fibres gives these tables a distinctive character, while traditional techniques passed down through generations bring a sense of history into modern interiors.
In this way, the African table serves as a meeting point between heritage and contemporary living, bringing warmth, storytelling and a strong sense of design into the home.
The Zangbeto side table
View this post on InstagramSalù Iwadi Studio is a Nigerian-Senegalese design studio founded by Toluwalaese Rufai and Sandia Nassila. The Zangbeto side table is made of Iroko wood in Lagos, Nigeria. It is inspired by the Zangbeto masquerade of Benin. This masquerade is believed to be the protector of the night. The rotating motion in their performance is something the studio wanted to bring to life and show in their design. When speaking to Lyle gallery, Toluwalaese said, “How could a furniture piece educate you on a part of the culture and also bring different meaning to it?” This statement reflects the brand’s ethos — drawing from culture while reimagining it through fresh, contemporary ideas.
The cut slabs of wood, positioned both upwards and downwards beneath the underside of the table, create a distinctive form for storing books. Its smooth tabletop, finished with a spiral design, provides the perfect surface for books or drinks.
The Oware Table
View this post on InstagramHelza Design Studio is the French-Ghanaian studio founded by Amewu Bitatsi. The Oware table is made from reclaimed solid oak. It is unique in offering an embedded game board of the Ghanaian game Awale, similar to the Nigerian game Ayo, at its centre.
It is a short table with thick, chunky legs that forces the user to be closer to the floor. One has to sit on pillows or directly on the floor to play the game. It is a design that encourages playfulness, community and participation. In addition, the tabletop also offers room for food and drinks.
The Maimuna Desk
View this post on InstagramSavannah Space Kenya by Cherie Njeri Kihato is a Nairobi-based design studio. Its Maimuna Desk uses Doum palm crafted in Kenya.
It is a sleek design reminiscent of the mid-century modern aesthetic. The grain from the Doum palm tree is fascinating; it leaves a dark-and-light pattern all over the desk. It features two drawers on the tabletop that create an extra level for storage above the drawers. It is wide and something I would consider perfect for an at-home office.
MJM x LM | table of 6
View this post on InstagramLoza Malèombho and Maison Jean Marie come together to create the MJM x LM | table of 6. Loza Malèombho, the Côte d’Ivoire-based fashion house, is mostly known for its clothing design and accessories design, particularly its distinctive shoes and jewellery. Branching into furniture design, the brand chooses to work with Côte d’Ivoire architecture and interior design agency Maison Jean Marie.
The MJM x LM | table of 6 features a glass tabletop designed to seat 6 people. The table’s legs feature large wooden shapes finished with an intricate raffia fringe detail. The use of raffia feels special, as it is a signature material in Loza Malèombho’s designs. It appears across many of the brand’s collections. This dining table reflects the cultural significance of raffia to Abidjan.
Function, form and cultural expression in furniture
Each of these designs approaches the table from a different perspective, using material to shape how people interact with the object. The rotating geometry of the Zangbeto table and the communal structure of the Oware table encourage movement, play and connection.
The Maimuna Desk focuses on everyday practicality through its storage and generous workspace. On the other hand, the MJM x LM table makes a statement through its sculptural wooden legs and raffia detailing. Together, they show how thoughtful design can give familiar furniture new forms of interaction while reflecting the distinct cultural influences behind each piece. At the centre of the home, these tables also create spaces for gathering, conversation, work and everyday moments of connection.
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