Animal prints have remained a constant in interior design–and for good reason. Believe it or not, animal prints are extremely versatile, which makes blending them with other fabrics and furnishings a breeze. Using patterns such as these may seem intimidating at first, but there’s no reason to shy away from giving them a shot. From whimsy to sophisticated, let’s take a look at how you can be fearless and go wild with animal prints in your home.

Start Meekly with a Meow

If you’re new to decorating with animal prints or simply want to use them on a smaller scale, ease into it and keep it fun!

Keep it whimsey by focusing on small bursts of animal patterns by adding some accent pillows or a throw. A dalmatian print pillow with piping in a fun color adds a touch of fun to the space without going overboard. Want to add a touch of sophistication? A zebra print is a true classic that won’t disappoint. For a touch of stylish warmth, consider a leopard print throw draped over a sofa or chair.

Another way to easily incorporate animal prints is by adding a rug to your floor. Animal print rugs are readily available, so finding the right one for your home shouldn’t be a challenge. With a rug, you get a touch of fun that easily pairs with other patterns in your home.

Be Fierce with a Roar

If you’ve gained some confidence and would like to use animal prints on a larger scale you have some great options as well. For starters, consider dressing your windows in animal patterned window treatments. It’s definitely a bolder move, but when done tastefully, it can make an amazing impact in the space.

Another big move would be to put up animal print wallpaper. If you aren’t ready for four walls covered in it, try sticking to a single accent wall. Or, cover four walls in a smaller space such as a powder room. It’ll be an unexpected surprise to anyone who visits.

Something else to consider would be an animal print stair runner. Imagine how lovely your stairs would look! Plus, depending on the color chosen, it’d serve well at hiding stains, as well as basic wear and tear.

For a fresh accent, have a custom chair, ottoman or bench covered in animal print fabric. Pieces like these are extremely functional, but they’re also a great way to add a splash of personality and style to your home. Feeling a bit braver? Have an entire sofa reupholstered with an animal print!

Combining Animal Prints with Existing Home Fabrics

So, you may be wondering if you can combine animal prints with your existing home fabrics. The answer to that is a big, definite yes! As mentioned earlier, animal prints are extremely versatile, making it easier than you may realize to blend them with other fabrics and furnishings you may already have in your home.

This doesn’t mean you should go overboard, though. Animal prints are meant to make a statement without it feeling like they’re screaming at you. To keep that from happening, stick to this simple rule of thumb: use one time of animal print on one item (or a pair of items and/or small accents) in each room. This will keep it classy rather than chaotic.

Another rule to adhere to is the rule of color. Animal prints can be found in a variety of colors, opening the door to lots of decorating fun. If you already have an abundance of colorful fabrics or accessories in your home, however, opt for animal prints that come in neutral colors. This allows you to have the fun without taking away from what you already have going on.

Alternative Animal Print Ideas

While animal prints provide abundant style when displayed on fabrics, they certainly don’t have to be limited to textiles and upholstery. Animal prints serve wonderfully as embellishments on items such as candles, lamps, picture frames, utensil handles, bathroom dispensers, dishes, and more. All of these are ways to add a little burst of fun to your home.  

Whatever you decide, keep in mind that animal prints are always in style. Be sure to have fun with animal prints, but use them selectively. To give your animal prints an upscale look, buy them printed on luxury fabrics such as faux furs, cashmere, velvet, or silk.

We have gorgeous fabrics that can be found in our store or on our website, which will allow your imagination to run wild. Be sure to come by or visit the site (just type “animal” into the search bar) to see our entire animal print collection.

Visit us at one of our retail locations or shop online! Looking for one of our discount designer fabric stores near Carrollton, TX? Stop by our Cutting Corners location in Dallas, Tx (located off Midway between alpha and Spring Valley) for great deals on animal print fabrics. You will find something for every home drapery and upholstery project.