How to decorate with animal prints – interior designer's tips on tastefully embracing this 2024 comeback trend

Animal prints are making a significant comeback in interior design in 2024, aligning with a broader trend towards maximalist and lived-in spaces. While historically associated with bold or eccentric designs, contemporary interpretations see animal prints integrated into elegant and even minimalist schemes. The key to tastefully incorporating these patterns lies in thoughtful consideration and a restrained approach, ensuring they add personality and character without overwhelming the room. One effective method is to introduce a leopard print rug. Interior designers like Liz Potarazu suggest that leopard print can function as a neutral, particularly when chosen in subtle, paired-back hues. A neutral leopard print rug can ground a space, add textural interest, and complement existing bold elements without creating visual clutter. For instance, in a living room with vibrant teal walls and yellow chairs, a leopard print rug can provide a cohesive and elegant finish. Another approach involves upholstering furniture in animal print fabric. Instead of scattering numerous small decor items, selecting a single accent piece, such as a chair or ottoman, can create a significant impact. Designers Kailee Blalock and Taylor Troia emphasize that careful placement prevents the print from diminishing the room's overall quality. They also suggest using true hides, like cowhide rugs, as classic ways to introduce animal print. For those seeking a bolder statement, creating a feature wall with animal print wallpaper can add beautiful texture, especially in maximalist designs. Interior designer Sasha Bikoff views animal prints as versatile neutrals that pair well with various colors, textures, and contrasting prints. She recommends using animal print wallpaper as a backdrop and layering it with solid textures and monotone colors, such as terracotta, to create an elevated and cozy atmosphere, particularly suitable for bedrooms. More subtle integration can be achieved through soft furnishings. Annika Bowman, a design consultant at Andrew Martin, advises using animal print sparingly for maximum impact, serving as an accent or focal point. Cushions, footstools, and small decorative items can add visual interest and prevent a neutral scheme from appearing flat. The contrast of an animal print cushion on a boucle chair, for example, adds texture and sophistication without overwhelming the space. Pairing animal print with specific color palettes is also crucial. House of Hackney's decorating consultancy team suggests pairing their 'WILDCARD' leopard print with soft pinks or deep hues like UMBER or DAHLIA. These pairings can unify a scheme, especially when combining patterns or color drenching, bringing a sense of luxury and intrigue to a living room. This strategic color pairing elevates the animal print, making it feel less wild and more refined. Animal print can also be used to add flair to often-overlooked areas like entryways and stairways. A leopard print carpet, particularly an Axminster style made with British wool, can introduce a classic motif that ensures durability and timeless appeal. When combined with rich wall colors, such as deep green, a leopard print stairway carpet can make these transitional spaces feel cohesive and inviting. Finally, the style of animal print itself offers variety. Some prints are overtly maximalist, while others are subtle enough to be almost unnoticeable until closer inspection. Interior designer Nina Litchfield, for example, used a green animal print sofa that her husband initially perceived as a plain green-printed sofa. This demonstrates how animal prints can integrate into sophisticated schemes. Litchfield advises balancing bold animal print pieces with more subtle fabrics and prints, or by contrasting modern animal prints with antique elements, such as pairing a contemporary animal print sofa with Louis XIV chairs, to create a harmonious and intriguing design. #AnimalPrintDecor #InteriorDesignTrends #LeopardPrint #MaximalistDesign #HomeDecor #AccentFurniture #WallpaperTrends #SoftFurnishings #ColorPairing #AnimalPrintDecor #InteriorDesignTrends #LeopardPrint #MaximalistDesign #HomeDecor #AccentFurniture #WallpaperTrends #SoftFurnishings #ColorPairing

21 months ago

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