Interior design in South Africa has largely been shaped by hegemonic trends from the Global North, resulting in a practice that often prioritises aesthetics and function over cultural relevance. This approach neglects local spatial concerns and fails to incorporate cultural nuances, limiting the discipline’s potential to address societal needs and contribute to cultural preservation within the African context. While "African" design has gained visibility, it remains largely superficial defined by decorative cultural symbols rather than by meaningful cultural practices or spatial traditions. Frequently curated by non-African designers and driven by global visual cultures, these representations reinforce reductive and biased interpretations of African design.