Moving into a new apartment in Accra, Ghana (or taking on a renovation) can be quite the challenge. In this guide, you’ll find a step‑by‑step journey on how to renovate your new home in Accra: from imagining your ideal space to welcoming guests.
Discover importante cultural insights, budgeting wisdom, and a few insider tips to help you navigate Accra’s unique furnishing landscape.
TIP: Before you sign a lease, it’s worth reading this comprehensive guide to tenancy agreements in Ghana.
1. Imagine Your Space Before You Shop
Before you jot down a shopping list, spend a weekend gathering inspiration. Scroll through Pinterest boards featuring minimalist interiors punctuated by kente‑print throws, or flip through images of café‑style bistros in Osu where woven rattan chairs mingle with sleek metal tables.
Jot down words that capture the mood you’re after—perhaps “airy boho,” “modern West African fusion”, or “Ghanaian modern decor” Sketch a rough floor plan on plain paper or even the back of an envelope, marking where your bed, sofa and dining table might live. This low‑tech “mood map” will anchor your decisions, ensuring every piece you bring home contributes to a unified vision rather than a random assortment.
When searching for the perfect home in Ghana, plan for the future: our luxury residential community in Accra offers a diverse selection of apartments, ranging in size and layout, to suit families of every shape and need. You can take a virtual tour of our spaces way ahead of your arrival.
One of our apartments at Green Views Residential – Contemporary Ghanaian home style
2. Budget with Intention (and a Safety Net)
It’s tempting to splurge on that statement armchair the moment you arrive, but having a phased plan will save you stress—and money. Begin by allocating funds for your non‑negotiables: a sturdy bed, comfortable seating and basic lighting.
Once those essentials are covered, you can expand your budget to include a dining setup, window treatments and accent rugs. Finally, leave room in your plan for the delightful details—artwork, potted plants, table lamps—that truly personalize a home.
As you draft these numbers, tuck away an extra 10–15% for unexpected costs: perhaps the carpenter needs extra wood, or shipping takes longer and you need to rent temporary furniture.
3. Where to Look—and How to Search
Accra’s furnishing scene spans gleaming showrooms, sprawling markets and tucked‑away street‑side workshops. You won’t need a map of every store; instead, learn where to point your feet.Kantamanto Market, for example, is legendary for its second‑hand gems: vintage chests, patterned rugs that deserve a second life. Just remember that bargaining here is expected (keep reading further to find more). Come with a sense of humor, ask questions about an item’s condition, and offer a price that reflects both your budget and respect for the vendor’s craft.
For an in‑depth list of recommended showrooms, décor outlets and home‑goods shops, see our full directory at Best shops in Accra for home décor.
If you prefer brand‑new or semi‑custom pieces, wander through the Arts Centre near Accra’s central stadium. Along the main thoroughfares of Osu, Labone and Cantonments, you’ll find clusters of carpentry workshops where artisans transform local hardwoods into dining tables, shelving units and more.
While these makers may not have glossy websites or polished showrooms, a brief introduction, a shared sketch or photo, and a clear discussion of dimensions can yield truly bespoke results at surprisingly reasonable prices.
For appliances or designer brands, reputable online retailers and select importers will ship to Ghana—just be mindful that import duties, typically 20–30% of the cost‑plus‑insurance‑plus‑freight value, can significantly raise the final price.
For quality home appliances you can check Electroland Ghana: Specializes in refrigerators, washing machines, and kitchen appliances. On the other hand, CompuGhana offers high-end electronics and smart home gadgets.
When you do explore these options, factor in delivery times (often four to six weeks) so you’re not left in the dark if a refrigerator arrives long after you’ve unpacked.
4. Commissioning Custom Furniture
Artisan working at the Accra Arts Center
When you partner directly with a carpenter or metalsmith, you’re buying more than an object, you’re investing in a collaboration. Start by sharing images or hand‑drawn sketches that convey your vision: whether that’s a sleek, lacquered console table in deep espresso or a set of nesting stools woven from rattan.
Always ask for at least two or three quotes. A simple side table might take a week or two, whereas an elaborate mahogany dining set could require up to six weeks of careful handiwork.
To keep both parties on the same page, draft a basic agreement outlining the scope of work, payment schedule (for instance, a third upfront, a third halfway through, and the remainder upon delivery), and quality checkpoints—say, a mid‑project preview before final sanding and staining.
When the piece is delivered, inspect every joint, hinge and stitch before you release the final payment; this ensures you walk away with a handcrafted treasure rather than an unfinished promise.
Many local carpenters and artisans in Accra offer custom-made furniture at reasonable prices. You can find skilled furniture makers in areas like Osu, Labone, and Cantonments. They do not have particular names and you won’t be able to find them online because they are located on the street.
This is one of the locations in Cantonments area (click for Google Maps). If you walk further straight from this location, you will find more artisans working on the street at their stalls.
Another option is to visit the Arts Centre in Accra, you will find carpenters there as well who could make custom-made furniture for you.
5. How to obtain renovating permits in Ghana
If you’re only painting walls or installing new cabinets, you likely won’t need formal permits. But for larger structural changes, like moving walls, extending wiring, or re‑routing plumbing, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly requires approvals. It pays to check early, especially since holidays or administrative backlogs can delay your schedule.
Building a reliable team of tradespeople: carpenter, electrician, plumber, painter and tiler, often starts with personal referrals. Ask neighbours, colleagues or local community groups for recommendations, then visit recent job sites to see the quality firsthand.
Establish clear meeting points: inspect rough‑in plumbing before tiles go down; photograph electrical wiring before walls close up. Weekly walkthroughs let you catch mistakes early, and a shared WhatsApp group for photos and updates keeps everyone accountable.
6. The Art of Haggling (Done Right)
Bargaining in Ghanaian markets is less about harsh haggling and more about building rapport. Begin by asking the vendor or artisan about the item’s story—how long they’ve worked with a particular style of wood, which neighbor they delivered to last week. This friendly curiosity softens the ground for price discussion.
Offer a respectful opening bid—perhaps 60–70% of the asking price—then meet in the middle. If you’re buying multiple items, propose a package deal: “If I take the sofa, chair and coffee table together, can you do a better rate?” Remember, using Ghanaian local slang always goes a long way. A warm smile or a simple “medaase” (thank you in Twi) often goes as far as a hard bargain.
7. Adding Ghanaian Flair into Your Décor
African prints can do wonders to add flair to your décor
Your walls and textiles are the perfect canvas for Ghanaian artistry. Consider framing printed replicas or originals of Adinkra symbols, each imbued with proverbs and cultural significance. Draping kente‑cloth cushion covers over a neutral sofa injects vibrant color and pattern, while mud‑cloth throws lend earthy texture.
Natural materials like woven rattan, sisal rugs and hand‑carved wooden accents ground your space in West African authenticity without overwhelming the eye. Explore the main artisanal items you can get in Ghana.
Another good place for searching unique goods, wall prints, art and items to personalize your home, check our listing of the best green markets in Ghana. You can even repurpose materials and start your own DIY décor project.
For artwork, explore local galleries—dozens in Labone and Osu feature emerging painters whose work celebrates urban Accra, coastal landscapes and abstract interpretations of Ghanaian heritage. Many artists welcome commissions, so you can integrate a bespoke piece that resonates with your style and the rhythm of your new community.
8. Eco‑Friendly Choices: A Sustainable way to Decorate
Furnishing and renovating need not leave a heavy footprint. By selecting second‑hand pieces or upcycling a well‑built dresser, you honor the item’s history while lightening environmental impact.
Purchasing directly from street‑side carpenters and brass‑founders ensures more of your payment goes straight into local pockets, supporting Ghanaian livelihoods. When choosing finishes, ask for natural oils—like shea‑butter wax—or water‑based paints that minimize volatile organic compounds.
Consider giving your final cast‑off furniture a second life through local “give‑away” boards and expat community groups, completing a cycle of reuse that strengthens neighborhood ties.
9. Settling In: The Final Flourishes
Modern simplicity with mid-century flair at our Green Views 2 Apartments
As your main pieces come together and your walls receive their final coat of paint, shift focus to those small accents that transform a house into a home.
Arrange a pair of table lamps to frame a reading nook. Cluster potted ferns and philodendrons on a sunny balcony. Hang a gallery‑style array of framed prints above your headboard, mixing vibrant abstracts with black‑and‑white family photos.
10. Designing a Productive Home Office in Accra
With remote work becoming more common in Accra, carving out a dedicated home office is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Whether you’re freelancing, running a business, or clocking into virtual meetings, your workspace should balance comfort, focus, and local flair.
By weaving together thoughtful planning, respectful negotiation and an appreciation for Ghana’s rich craft heritage, you’ll transform your new apartment into more than just a place to stay.
If you’re looking for the perfect residential property to call home, explore our available apartments and homes in Accra in our two main properties at Green Views Residential.
