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There's a certain hesitation when incorporating animal print decor since it is mostly associated with maximalist, eccentric, and extravagant style.
However, this is far from reality.
Animal print decor can also be a sophisticated, understated addition to your modern mountain retreat.
Interior designers today know how to balance bold animal prints. They use them as perfect accents for even the most minimalist homes.
Rich textures and organic patterns like zebra stripes or leopard spots bring a touch of untamed beauty to your interiors, turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.
While animal print interior design may seem challenging with the right knowledge of balance, you’ll see how effortlessly it can elevate your space.
Animal Print Decor Throughout History
Animal prints have a long history of symbolizing status and power, dating back to ancient Egyptian and Roman societies. What once adorned royalty is now an iconic element of modern luxury design.
In the 1920s, fashion icons like Coco Chanel brought animal prints into the spotlight, but it was the bold interiors of the 60s and 70s that truly cemented their place in home decor.
Today, modern interior designers have skillfully incorporated animal prints into minimalist, eclectic, and even industrial spaces, showcasing their enduring appeal. This design style continues to captivate, with sustainable faux fur and innovative printing techniques enabling ethical and creative expressions of this trend.
Common Types of Animal Print Decor
A variety of animal prints evoke unique atmospheres and harmonize with diverse decor styles, rendering them favored selections for homes that embrace a fashion-forward outlook.
Let’s explore some of these prints and how they can elevate your decor game to the next level!
Leopard Print
With its iconic golden hues and black spots, leopard print exudes a luxurious and exotic vibe. Often used as an accent, it complements both modern, eccentric, and traditional maximalist settings, adding a bold pop when incorporated into furniture or textiles.
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Zebra Stripes
Characterized by its striking black and white stripes, zebra print brings a sense of dynamic contrast to rooms. This print can be incorporated into minimalist spaces for a contemporary edge or combined with other patterns for an eclectic look.
Cow Print
Another one with the classic black and white palette, this print introduces a more rustic and whimsical charm. Ideal for farmhouse-inspired decor, cow print is often found in rugs, upholstery, and kitchen accessories, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Tiger Print
Tiger print, featuring rich orange and black stripes, embodies royalty in a pattern. It's a statement choice, often used to create focal points in rooms or to add drama to furnishings.
10 Tips & Trends to Bring Your Animal Print Decor Ideas to Life
Incorporating animal print decor requires careful balance. Working with a professional interior designer is always best to ensure seamless integration into your unique style. However, understanding the basics can empower you to make better choices.
Here are seven expert tips for incorporating animal print decor into your home without overdoing it.
1. Choose the Right Animal Print for Your Style
Select animal prints that resonate with your overall interior theme. Leopard print can be a great choice if your style leans toward a classic look with a touch of wildness. On the other hand, if you're looking to stand out and experiment with a more graphic pattern, zebra print might be for you. Another option– Cheetah prints, typically feature warm colors like tan and brown, perfect for decor like Scandinavian or rustic farmhouses.
2. Use Animal Prints Sparingly
In luxury design, less is often more. Rather than filling a room with animal prints, think of them as the perfect finishing touch—much like a statement piece of jewelry. Animal prints are most impactful when used sparingly, allowing them to shine without overwhelming the space. Using animal prints thoughtfully elevates the decor in a curated and polished way, allowing the space to breathe.
Here are some ways to incorporate seamlessly:
Accent Pillows or Throws:
Place a few carefully chosen animal print cushions or a throw blanket on a solid-colored sofa to add depth and texture without overpowering the room.
Statement Ottomans or Rugs:
A zebra-print ottoman or a leopard-print rug can serve as a focal point, adding sophistication to your space. The key is balance—let these pieces take center stage while surrounding them with more understated decor.
Art or Upholstered Accents:
Use upholstered chairs or framed prints featuring animal patterns. When framed in luxurious materials like gold, black lacquer, or dark wood, they bring a subtle yet powerful elegance to a room.
3. Mix and Match Different Animal Prints
Experiment with combining different animal prints for a unique and eclectic aesthetic. To avoid clashing, stick to a similar color scheme or pattern size. Mixing prints like zebra and tiger stripes or cow and leopard print can create an interesting contrast while maintaining visual harmony.
4. Pair Animal Prints Neutral Colors
Neutral tones like white, beige, gray, and black can act as a backdrop that allows animal prints to stand out. They serve as the perfect contrast to these prints. Use neutral-colored furniture, walls, and larger decor items to create a balanced canvas. This prevents the room from feeling too busy and helps the animal print accents shine.
Place a zebra-print rug under the soft beige or cream furnishings for an understated luxe look. Velvet, silk, or linen furniture paired with the rich pattern of an animal print creates a high-contrast look.
Opt for soft, muted wall colors—charcoal, taupe, or dove gray—that echo the natural tones found in animal prints. This ensures a serene, cohesive backdrop that allows the prints to take center stage. This also helps create a restrained yet balanced aesthetic.
5. Balance Animal Prints with Solid Colors & Other Patterns
Creating balance is essential in sophisticated design. Use solid colors or other patterns in harmony with your animal prints to create a well-rounded and layered space. Here are some ways you can elevate your design.
Solid Color Furniture
If your centerpiece is an animal print ottoman or rug, offset it with solid, neutral-colored furniture to prevent the room from feeling too busy. This creates a calming base that allows your bold accents to pop.
Complimentary Patterns
Stripes, florals, or geometric patterns in complementary tones can sit alongside animal prints without clashing. For example, pair a leopard print throw with soft, vertical-striped curtains in neutral shades to add depth and texture.
6. Incorporate Texture for a Luxurious Finish
Animal prints look particularly striking when paired with rich textures, which elevate the overall sense of luxury in your space.
Combine animal print cushions with materials like velvet or faux fur throws. Leopard prints, for example, look and feel luxurious on a velvet sofa, while faux fur accents add tactile softness.
Layer animal print decor with textural elements such as silk or suede. In a bedroom, consider a cheetah print throw on a velvet bedspread to evoke both comfort and high style.
Playing with textures adds visual interest and enhances a space's sense of indulgence for ultimate comfort and style.
7. Strategically Place Animal Prints in Key Areas
Animal prints demand attention, so place them strategically in spaces where you want to create focal points or highlight specific areas. Create moments and spaces that feel intentional, sophisticated, and personal with your strategic use of the print.
A zebra-print rug or tiger-print chair can serve as an anchor piece in living rooms and lounge areas. It draws attention to the center of the room and helps frame the seating arrangements.
You can layer animal prints in the bedroom with pillows or throws on a neutral bedspread to add that hint of exotic luxury without disrupting the coziness.
Avoid excessive use in areas like kitchens or bathrooms, which can become overwhelming due to their functional nature. Instead, use them sparingly in dining rooms or hallways to create moments of surprise and visual delight. A single bold accent, like a framed zebra print or a cowhide rug, can elevate these transitional spaces.
8. Current or Emerging Trends in Animal Print Décor
Animal print décor is evolving, offering new ways to bring bold patterns into your space. From creative designs to eco-conscious choices, today's trends make it easy to create a stylish home without sacrificing sustainability. Here's a look at the exciting shifts in animal print décor transforming interiors.
Metallic Prints, Oversized Patterns, & Unconventional Placements
Metallic finishes and oversized prints are taking center stage today, turning once-muted designs into eye-catching features. These prints are being used in surprising spots, like leopard-print ceilings or zebra-patterned floors, to make bold, stylish statements. Feature walls with oversized animal prints are becoming the focal point of rooms, adding a luxurious, avant-garde flair to any space.
Ethical & Sustainable Choices
As sustainability becomes more important in design, animal print lovers are turning to eco-friendly options. Faux animal prints made from sustainable or recycled materials are taking center stage, offering chic, cruelty-free alternatives. From plush zebra throws crafted from recycled fibers to faux leopard rugs, these ethical choices allow for chic, cruelty-free décor.
DIY Animal Print Projects
DIY enthusiasts are finding creative ways to bring animal print décor into their homes. They are adding a personal touch by upholstering and adding self-crafted animal print elements. From painting a dresser tiger-striped to sewing zebra-patterned cushions, people have started to welcome aesthetic flair that speaks to them.
9. Make an Impact with Animal Print Furniture
Animal print furniture is an effortless way to introduce this trend into your home with high impact. Pieces like a leopard-print sofa, zebra-striped armchairs, or a cheetah-patterned headboard can instantly elevate a room's aesthetic.
The key to pulling off animal print furniture is balance. Coordinating colors and patterns ensures that the space feels cohesive rather than overwhelming. A well-placed animal print accent chair or footstool can become the centerpiece of the room, adding both texture and a bold design element.
10. Choose Room-Specific Animal Prints
A thoughtful design choice is to integrate animal print decor into various rooms. This helps create balance throughout the interior design while offering endless possibilities for personalization.
In the living room, animal print throw pillows, rugs, or even an ottoman can introduce texture and intrigue. For the bedroom, consider making a statement with an animal print headboard, or opt for subtle patterned bedding to add a hint of the exotic. Meanwhile, bathrooms can be brought to life with tiger-striped towels or a zebra-patterned bath mat, adding fun and flair to a typically neutral space.
Bringing It All Together
At ALI & SHEA DESIGN, we believe every home tells a unique story—one that reflects personal style, cherished moments, and the natural beauty that surrounds us here in Aspen. While animal prints may be bold, they add warmth, texture, and sophistication when integrated thoughtfully into your living spaces.
Our approach is never about simply following trends. Instead, we focus on understanding your vision and incorporating design elements that resonate with your lifestyle and preferences. From cozy retreats to expansive mountain homes and high-end commercial spaces, we specialize in balancing bold design with the rustic luxury Aspen living demands.
Ready to add a touch of the wild to your home?
Reach out to us today to schedule a personalized design consultation. Let’s bring your dream home to life, starting with the perfect blend of comfort, style, and just the right hint of wild elegance.
FAQs
Is animal print in style now?
Yes, animal print is a timeless pattern that has seen resurgence in recent years, particularly in interior design. Whether you opt for a subtle touch or a bold statement, animal print can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any space.
What is the most popular animal print?
Leopard print is arguably the most popular animal print in interior design. Other popular animal prints include zebra, tiger, and snake.
What patterns go with animal print?
Animal prints can be paired with solid neutrals, stripes, polka dots, denim, leather, natural textures, jewel tones, florals, monochrome prints, and abstract geometric patterns to create stylish contrasts and balanced outfits.
Can you mix animal prints in decor?
Yes, you can mix different animal prints in decor by keeping a consistent color palette and balancing the prints with solid colors and textures for a visually engaging yet cohesive look.
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