It’s no secret that we’re in the age of bold interiors. Rather than playing it safe, there’s a surge of homes filled with daring uses of color and pattern. People just can’t get enough of personality-packed spaces these days, and interior designers approve.
One decorating choice that pros say is worth giving a try right now? Animal prints! Personally, I’ve long viewed animal prints as neutrals. For instance, I’m all for letting a leopard print rug shine in a bedroom or a leopard chair steal the show in a living room. It creates visual interest and makes a space feel considered.
San Francisco-based designer Thecla Glueck champions animal print, too. “Leopard, cheetah, antelope, zebra, tiger—I love them all,” Glueck shares. “I love it for the timeless, sophisticated layer it adds and how easily it works with pieces you already own.”
Designer Ellie Christopher appreciates their versatility as well. “They look fabulous with just about any color combination. I’m always a sucker for a good leopard print, and you’ll find a zebra rug in almost every one of my clients’ homes,” Christopher says.
Animal prints aren’t just a “little rebellious,” according to designer Sasha Bikoff—they have a special way of exuding glamour. “I love that they can feel incredibly chic and sophisticated in one setting and completely wild and playful in another,” says Bikoff, who’s especially drawn to leopard and zebra patterns. “There’s something inherently seductive about them.”
But not everyone understands the right way to pull off animal prints in a room. Below, these three designers share their best tips and tricks to nail the look.
How to Decorate With Animal Prints
✔️ Treat animal prints like any other pattern. “Think of it as another pattern you can work with, like a stripe or a floral,” says Glueck. “A small amount can make a subtle statement or balance the sweetness of a room. Or you can lean into your love of color and pattern for a layered, sophisticated maximalist space.”
✔️ Go for the unexpected. “Pairing animal prints with too many predictable elements is a mistake. I love the unexpected. A leopard velvet sofa against lacquered walls, a zebra rug beneath a sculptural Italian coffee table, or an animal print juxtaposed with a romantic floral can be so much more interesting than a conventional combination,” Bikoff explains.
✔️ Consider the material. “I love animal print in linen for a more relaxed space, and velvet when I want something richer. I’m also here for mixing styles—an animal-print ottoman on a neutral Oushak rug, or an animal-print rug layered over sisal,” Glueck says.
✔️ Keep scale and proportion in mind. “As with all things in design, it’s about scale and proportion. One of my favorite pieces to upholster in leopard print is an antique French stool. You can place one in front of a chair, tuck it beneath a console, position it beside a freestanding bathtub, or introduce it into a modern space to add a sense of history and character,” Christopher says.
✔️ Weave in other patterns. “I love mixing animal prints with completely different patterns, whether that’s florals, stripes, geometrics, or even psychedelic prints,” Bikoff says. “The magic happens when there’s a common thread, whether it’s color, texture, or simply an overall design sensibility.”
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
