Animal Prints. Cheap or Chic?

Designers know that animal print and pattern can really help to add character to a space. Prints and pattern help to add not only physical texture but also a visual point on interest in a room.

Of course there is right and wrong way of adding animal print to a space that can either give it a sophisticated and polished look or in the other case a complete visual disaster.

Here are some guidelines and tips on using animal prints:

+ Make sure that print is natural or looks like it would in nature. We never see a neon pink leopard or electric blue tiger running.

+ Minimize the usage of print to a few key pieces. Whether it be a couple of well tailored upholstered side chairs, a couple throw pillows, or in a few well placed decorative accessories.

+ Look at the print in context to the rest of the room. There are many factors to consider when choosing an animal print, including scale of the print, positioning, and interaction with other pieces in the room. The print should follow the color scheme of the room as well as the scale set by the other pieces in the space.

+ If the print is a distraction, ditch it. A chic room is one where all the pieces come together and flow as one (even if the nature of the objects are unique and eclectic). If the print is competing the the main focal point of the room, it's not the piece for the room, or if the print itself is the focal piece (as in a bold area rug) it should still speak to and coordinate with the rest of the room.

The following are some examples of the dos and don'ts when using animal prints (along with why):

Do:


This works because the the strong print of the rug is working to anchor the light upholstery pieces in the room. Also, this room has minimal print aside from the rug itself.


Although the idea of such a major print applied to the wall may not appeal to everyone, the reason that it works in this case has to do with the styling of the room. The decorative accessories used in this space relate with the nature of the print. The overall color palette also helps to subdue the impact of the wallpaper.

Don't:

This is a prime example of what to avoid when it comes to print. In a bedroom the main focal point is often the bed itself. Adding bedding that is completely styled in animal print draws way too much attention to the bed area, and frankly looks a little cheap. Calling too much attention to a single piece in any room brings too much emphasis on one object and steals the attention from everything else. A simple throw pillow with this print paired with neutral toned bedding would have stronger impact with less distraction.