There’s a certain kind of girl in Lagos whose home is her sanctuary, her flex, and her Pinterest board all rolled into one. She’s not trying too hard, but somehow, every corner of her space looks like it could be screenshotted into an interior mood board. She’s mastered the art of aesthetic living without losing the Nigerian touch. Her space says I’m cultured, I’m intentional, and I drink tea out of a handmade ceramic mug I bought from a brand on Instagram at 10 pm.
You don’t have to be in her inner circle to recognise the vibe—you just have to walk through the door. Here’s your unofficial guide to what makes her home the gold standard of Nigerian millennial cool.
1. Framed Art (With Actual Meaning)
She’s not hanging up Paris skyline prints. No, no. Her walls are a visual diary. Think line drawings by Nigerian illustrators, framed Ankara remnants, or blown-up photos from her last solo trip to Ghana. Bonus points if one is slightly tilted—”It’s supposed to lean like that,” she’ll say.
2. House Plants Named After Real People
She’s a plant mom and proud of it. You’ll spot a Monstera named Ijeoma, a stubborn snake plant called Tolu, and a tiny aloe vera on the kitchen window she swears has healing powers. The vibe is tropical meets urban jungle, and even though PHCN is unreliable and the heat sometimes tries to kill them all, she keeps them thriving regardless.
3. Floor Lamps That Do All the Talking
She understands that overhead lights are too harsh, so she invests in lighting that creates a mood. Her lamp might be tall and gold with a dimmer switch, or curved like a sculpture. She got it from someone’s Instagram story, a Lekki furniture plug, or that one girl on WhatsApp who knows a guy. Either way, it’s not just a lamp—it’s a personality.
4. A Statement Mirror That Knows Its Angle
It leans casually against the wall, large enough for mirror selfies, and possibly thrifted. She doesn’t need it for checking makeup; it’s more of an altar for content creation and light reflection. If you look closely, you’ll find fingerprints and lip gloss smudges—proof that it’s not just decor, it’s daily life.
5. Throw Pillows in Neutrals and Mud Cloth Prints
She’s not into loud colours. Her throw pillows are in sandy browns, burnt oranges, faded terracotta, and the occasional indigo. They live on a couch she didn’t fully pay for in one go, and they never stay in one place because she’s always “rearranging the energy.”
6. An Open Shelf Full of Personality
There’s a copy of “Freshwater” by Akwaeke Emezi, an unread book on interior philosophy, a candle from a Nigerian home fragrance brand, and maybe a vintage wine bottle she’s using as a vase. This is her curated corner, her Instagram shelfie, her “get to know me” starter pack.
7. Woven Baskets and Rattan Everything
Whether it’s a chair, tray, or planter basket, rattan is the neutral that ties the whole room together. It whispers, ‘I respect craft,’ and ‘I love softness,’ and maybe also, ‘I have a Pinterest board called ‘Boho Nigerian Girl’.”
8. A Kitchen Cart Turned Bar
You’ll find hibiscus syrup, Casamigos, wine glasses she didn’t break during detty December, and that single cocktail shaker she used once during lockdown. Even if she barely drinks, the cart exists. Because style is in the details.
9. A Rug That’s Seen Things
That rug? It ties the room together. It’s probably vintage-inspired, soft, possibly layered, and—if you spill anything on it—she might never forgive you.
10. Something Random That Starts Conversations
Every cool girl has a wildcard. A talking drum. A random lamp made out of jollof rice bowls. A coffee table she hand-painted during her “DIY phase.” These pieces don’t always make sense, but they always make the space hers.
