Let Out Your Wild Side - Animal Inspired Design

With African safari luxe considered one of this year's key trends, now is the time to explore your animal instincts by taking a walk on the home décor wild side. Will you be bold and edgy by mixing and matching textures and patterns that fit in with your existing décor? Or will you go the whole way with a themed approach that celebrates your favourite animal? Whatever your decision, one thing is certain: it will be a fun project that begins with a hunt for those perfect finds.

Start Small & Keep it Simple

It doesn't matter what print you are most fond of—leopard, cowhide, snakeskin or zebra—opportunity abounds when it comes to bringing nature into your home. If you have opted for a simple colour scheme, you have the perfect canvas to start your journey; animal accents look fabulous when paired with natural earthy tones, stark white and classic monochrome.
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For those of you who love animals but are nervous about going too far with a zebra themed room, start small with the addition of an animal inspired floor rug, cushion covers or throws. The beauty of animal printed products is texture...and the more the merrier, as texture is an absolute game changer in the world of decorating.
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Additionally, wall art and décor are perfect for starting the transition and there is no shortage of choices available. This family of elephants is gorgeous and would look great on a plain coloured dresser or shelving display. If you are into colour, Wayfair's range of Modern Gallery painterly style prints are a fun and fresh take on this trend and paves the way for picking out certain colours to work back with a statement wall, throws, cushions, lampshades and floor rugs. As someone who loves bright colours, the Giraffe Canvas caught my attention.

Themed Wonderland
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While earthy and classic colour schemes are a fail safe to start your decorating, you have the opportunity to introduce a strong colour contrast if, say, you opt for the black and white zebra theme, as monochrome always looks fabulous when worked back against a bright primary colour. In the case of a zebra themed bedroom, start with a rug for the floor, bedspread and/or wall art and keep the tops of the bedside tables and dressers free which allows you to add a zebra printed lamp with shade.

Where To Put Your Animal Inspo

The Floor
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Take your floor from drab to fab with a beautiful natural hide or printed rug. This look will make a sophisticated statement in the living room and ties in well with a designer lounge in soft leather or Eames style leather chair, glass coffee table and designer book stack or library shelves.

The Wall
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Designate a wall for art that expresses your love of animals and enhances your interior design, be it in the earthy safari tones or abstract brights. Try the Zebra Wall Art from Phil Bee Interiors (available at Wayfair) to tie in your room's colour scheme and textures. Today's top Wayfair coupon: Wayfair Coupons 20% OFF Order In September 2015

The Bedroom
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The bedroom is a good place to bring your safari park theme to life. Again, practice restraint and unless you are passionate about zebra print, opt for a plain coloured bedcover and use cushions and wall art as well as rugs and décor to unleash your style. Dogs, cats and other domesticated animals should be avoided in the bedroom as being too kitsch and cutesy. Birds, however, are another species altogether that can make a beautiful statement on the wall.

The Living Room
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Printed lounges and chairs will focus attention immediately in a living or lounge / sitting area. This has to be one of those pieces you just 'had to have' and not a token gesture. I think the CosyNest Interiors' Zebra Print Armchair and the Luca Peanut Bench from Alexander Santorini are case in point.

Animal sculptures, inspired table lamps, coffee table bases, door handles and wall or fencing panels in laser cut or hand forged wrought iron can be beautiful but stick to quality and the best you can afford. Nasty knick-knacks will cheapen the whole look of the room.

There are beautiful cushions that are an art work in themselves and make a unique statement in the living room or bedroom. Be restrained to make your designs shine and perhaps group with cushions of different texture and colours for maximum effect.

The Bathroom
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​Have a bit of fun in the bathroom with animal print towels, shower curtains, wall art and décor. Why confine the beach towels to the beach when they work just as well in a bathroom? There is also a great range of shower curtains with jungle and safari animals and marine creatures that will add fun to your children's bathtime.

Shop all African and animal print trends at Wayfair Australia.