Animal print on furniture and home decor has come and gone as a trend over the past decades. While sometimes the print veers on kitsch, many designers have been able to make it just the thing to make a room pop. Believe it or not, there are many ways to make tiger and leopard designs a sophisticated staple. 

If you’re looking for a way to bring playful excitement to your home, consider one of the following tasteful ways to bring back the animal print. 

Accent Pieces Only

If you’re worried about making your room look more like a zoo, simply add accents that will give the fun and colorful effect you desire without all the chaos. Even if you choose a pillow, a vase, artwork, or an armchair, you will still add personality to an otherwise neutral room and still remain elevated. 

When in doubt, make the fur design the focal point of your room. And if you dare to mix animal patterns or choose multiple printed items to work with, make sure you harmonize the tone and hues of the colors to keep the look cohesive. 

Area Rugs

A simple way to bring boldness into a room is with an animal print area rug. There are so many exciting patterns to choose from, like leopard, giraffe, or cheetah spots. You can find unique vintage pieces at antique shops or invest in something new. 

When an overwhelming print is limited to the floor, it is more manageable for the eyes to digest. That makes it easier to place fur print in an area with high traffic or unexpected areas like the foyer or bathroom for a big statement that doesn’t overwhelm. 

Lounge Chairs or Other One-off Furniture Pieces

If you really want to invest in animal print, we suggest buying a quality piece of furniture. Top designers know how to blend print in a refined way. For example, elegant designs can make prints like cowhide and zebra look seamless with the rest of the decor. 

Items like the Le Corbusier Chaise Lounge in Pony allow you to enjoy the cheekiness of the print, while still maintaining the signature comfort and style of a high-quality item. You can even choose from a variety of upholstery covers to best suit the look you’re going for. 

You can also bring new life to items you already own by reupholstering items you already have. This can bring a freshness to otherwise formal areas like dining rooms. 

Choose Subtle or Neutral Colors

Depending on the hues you choose, animal print can actually function as a neutral in your home. Neutrals usually tie all the elements together without demanding much attention. Loud prints can do the same if they are subtle colors. 

By making prints more of a background element than the focus of the room, it can be a more interesting alternative to typical neutral items. 

Animal print no longer has to be an intimidating pattern to work with. By changing small details of the pattern, you can completely transform your space, while still retaining a refined look.