Bringing warmth and character to Namibian spaces

Habitat opened its first store in Swakopmund nearly 16 years ago to fill a gap in the local market for distinctive, quality home furnishings.

As demand grew, the business expanded to Windhoek. However, finding a suitable location took time. The team eventually settled on a property that had previously been home to Jenny’s Place and which suited the store’s preference for a more natural, organic aesthetic.

The Windhoek and Swakopmund branches now operate alongside each other, with Habitat focusing on furniture and home décor sourced for their distinctive designs and materials.

Distinctive pieces

The store’s range includes furniture and décor, with some of its more unusual products centred on natural materials.

Its bathroom section, for example, includes basins carved from natural stone. Because the basins are made from individual pieces of stone rather than synthetic materials, each has its own variations in colour, texture and shape.

The furniture range includes large dining tables, including a rustic ash table designed around the idea of shared meals and gatherings.

Lighting is another changing part of the range. Seasonal stock includes handcrafted papier-mâché fixtures, adding natural textures and warmer tones to interiors.

More than a showroom

The Windhoek store also incorporates a coffee station into its retail space. While not positioned as a separate commercial offering, it gives customers and interior decorators a place to sit and take a break while looking through the store.

Another feature is a can-sealing machine, which is used to package items such as iced coffee, sweets and selected gifts in metal cans.

For Habitat’s Windhoek team, however, the focus extends beyond the products themselves.

General Manager Janus Botes and the seven-member team advise customers on how different materials are likely to perform in Namibian conditions.

Windhoek’s dry climate, for example, can affect natural materials differently from the coastal conditions in Swakopmund. Wooden furniture therefore requires particular care and maintenance.

The team also considers the practical use of materials when advising customers. Natural-fibre rugs can provide the texture and appearance associated with organic interiors, while synthetic options may be more suitable for areas with heavy foot traffic.

For larger projects, Habitat also refers customers to local interior decorators.

The result is a business that has moved from its original Swakopmund base into the capital while retaining its focus on furniture, décor and materials that give homes a more individual character.