I am an absolute sucker for animal print. I believe the rules are a lot less boundless in incorporating it than you'd imagine. Animal print can layer, it can be the star of the show, or a simple accent. While you should consider tone and color when selecting a print as you should with any interior decorating, you don't need to limit zebra print to a black and white space, and you don't need to accompany cheetah or leopard print with gold, glitz, or glam.
Animal print seems to be a trend that has cycled since the beginning of interior decorating. The roots are utilitarian; hides were used for warmth, clothing, shelter, and house hold items. Since, it has grown into a cyclical trend maybe even a timeless trend (that no longer requires harming any wildlife) that has captivated our households and wardrobes ever since.
Anything from wallpaper to rugs, accent pillows to picture frames can be a great and effective way to incorporate the interest and excitement of animal print to your space. What is great is that no matter what your design style is, the timelessness of animal print incorporates itself seamlessly. Re-upholster a victorian chair in animal print fabric, throw down a leopard rug in a midcentury style space, get a cowhide stool for your modern farmhouse, spunk up your bathroom with some zebra print towels, the options are truly limitless!
Here are some images for inspiration on how to incorporate animal print into your home design from straight from our Pinterest board:
(From Upper Left to Bottom Right)
Image 1: This space is 1980's inspired and very pink. Animal print is utilized to offset the visual with a bold pattern, and in this case utilizing an earth toned zebra print in juxtaposition with soft pink. In ways the zebra print feels like a bold choice, but in others it seems to fit so naturally in the space. Either way it is quite eye-catching.
Image 2: In a more neutral toned space, these zebra print accent chairs are definitely eye-catching, but are they the star of the show? The boldness of the print plays very well with the texture of the fireplace and walls behind and beside them. Mauve accent pillows help tone down the print and add another more neutral feeling color to help the balance.
Image 3: Wallpaper is perhaps the most bold and powerful ways to enhance a space with animal print. This Leopard print wallpaper is the focal point of the whole space. In a room like this you want to be sure to include decorations that help balance the playful wallpaper, but also play with it. In this case, pieces that feel vintage and sophistacated were selected to create an elevated look.
Image 4: Subtle but effective. Throw pillows are a safe way to utilize animal print in a space since they are much less of a commitment as say wall coverings or a rug. However, they can still be a pattern that pops. This space is very uniform with a deep color pallet that includes reds, browns, and blacks.
Image 5: This is a very playful example of incorporating animal print into a space. A pink leopard print rug is a great way to utilize the print, but without its natural color scheme. This rug is monochrome, therefor the print is able to act more sublty. Playing with prints, you can catch that the lounger is upholstered with cowprint. It feels unexpected yet works so well in the space.
Image 6: A retro office chair reupholsterd in cowprint material, accomponied by a patchwork cowhide ottomon. This is a retro space utlizing natural earth tones, and earth patterns. The cow print translates as sophisticated and retro.
Ruggable has an expansive collection of animal print rugs that come in many sizes including hide shaped, runners, and area rugs. Here are some favorites, including an incredible Iris Apfel design:
If animal print is calling your name, don't be afraid to play with it! Go as bold or as minimal as you'd like, and remember your space is YOUR space and you're allowed to do with it as you please. Layer up different prints whether they be animal or not, play with color (or don't). Throw pillows, blankets, and photo frames are a great way to get started and see how you feel before going larger scale with wall coverings or furniture. Be you, enjoy your space, capture your own essence, and enjoy this timeless little bit of design!
No copy write intended. Photo's do not belong to Et Moi and are subject to copywrite. Photos sourced via Pinterest and Ruggable. Et Moi is not affiliated with Pinterest or Ruggable.
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