Animal-Inspired Design

Animal prints have been part of the design landscape for centuries – powerful, primal, and endlessly reinterpreted. From ancient ceremonial use to fashion catwalks and high-end interiors, these motifs endure not because they demand attention, but because they create movement. They suggest texture and offer rhythm – a timeless style that continues to evolve.

Origins of The Animal Print

The use of animal motifs in design is nothing new. In early cultures, animal skins were powerful symbols of spirituality, status, and dominance – tiger pelts, in particular, were often worn or displayed.

By the 18th century, Europe’s obsession with the “exotic” sparked a wave of stylised animal print textiles. These weren’t real hides, but printed interpretations – a way to bring the wild into more refined, domestic settings.

In the 20th century, animal prints’ popularity evolved further, appearing across both fashion and interiors. They entered the mainstream – bold, rebellious, and part of the visual language of glamour, sensuality, and self-expression.

The Icons Who Made It Work

Designers across disciplines have returned to animal prints again and again. In fashion, figures like Christian Dior, Roberto Cavalli, and Dolce & Gabbana leaned heavily into leopard, cheetah, and zebra prints – lush, bold, maximalist.

In interiors, animal prints first appeared more subtly. Elsie de Wolfe – a pioneering interior designer of the early 20th century – brought imitation leopard print into upholstery, turning what had once been avant-garde into something aspirational. 

Why It Still Works

Animal prints hold their place in contemporary interiors because they bring a kind of visual rhythm – organic, yet structured. Patterns like leopard spots or zebra stripes aren’t symmetrical, but they repeat with just enough consistency to feel balanced. That natural irregularity makes them especially effective on textiles and surfaces.

There’s also a textural quality to animal prints that works beautifully in fabric. A velvet lampshade in a tonal leopard print doesn’t just look “wild” –  it feels layered, tactile, and full of depth. The light catches the surface in different ways, picking up subtle tone shifts, adding warmth.

Beyond texture, animal prints carry meaning. They connect us not just to the natural world, but to emotion and identity. They suggest confidence – and even when used minimally, they bring a sense of personality to a space.

Anna’s Animalesque Designs

Savannah

A fresh take on leopard print with a directional vertical stripe. Hand-painted in a soft, painterly style with added blue floral accents for variety and added interest. 

Shop all Savannah here

Siouxsie
An edgy snakeskin print in layered inky blues, with touches of pink, teal, petrol, and black. Gold detailing adds depth and a punk-inspired edge to this richly textured design.

Shop all Siouxsie here

Giraffe Blush
An inky animal print with gold accents, in soft blush pink and dark petrol. The wallpaper features a pearlised finish that brings the design to life and adds a touch of quiet glamour.

Shop all Giraffe Blush here

Vespertine
A pretty, free-flowing leopard-style print with hints of butterfly wings and 1920s flair. Painted in layered tones of black, nude, coffee, and pink.

Shop all Vespertine here

Joni
A striking peacock-inspired print. This beige, black, and gold design features a delicate, Deco-style spray pattern with graphic impact.

Shop all Joni here

BamBam
A vivid, hand-painted design. Warm pinks, soft black, and creamy tones mingle in a tribal-inspired pattern with a cosy, luxurious vibe.

Shop all BamBam here

How to Use Animal Prints Without Overdoing It

The key to working with animal prints is to approach them the way you would any strong visual element – with intention. They can be subtle or dramatic, but they need to feel considered.

In quieter spaces, a single print can be enough. A lampshade in tiger-stripe velvet can anchor a room without disrupting its palette. A wallpaper in a stylised leopard motif adds unexpected depth to a hallway or powder room – especially when paired with natural textures.

In more expressive interiors, you can scale things up. Think of a pair of cushions in snake print on a patterned sofa, or a wall covering in a hand-drawn cheetah design layered into a room with sculptural lighting and bold furniture. The trick is not to let the print dictate the room – it should be part of the conversation, working in harmony with the space’s colour palette, texture, and form.

Final Thoughts

Animal prints aren’t just a trend – they’re about tone. They bring movement, add contrast, and connect a space to something instinctive. Used well, they add depth and character without being overwhelming.

Whether it’s wallpaper, fabric, or lighting, animal prints prove that nature will always look and feel right in a space.

If you’re looking to bring them into your interiors, explore our collection of animal-inspired designs, available as wallpaper, lampshades, and fabrics…