Decorating Tips for Complementing Animal Prints

Bright Solids

• Pair animal prints with bright solid colors for a glamorous touch. The strong graphic element of a black and white zebra print plays well with a hot pink or electric blue solid color. Pairing an animal print with a bright color works well in girl's rooms, teen's rooms or anywhere a whimsical, eye-catching touch is needed. Use the bright color as a small accent or make it as large as the animal print; either approach can be used for a balanced design.

Neutral Solids

• Select a neutral shade to complement the animal print. In many cases, animal prints actually contain a neutral shade in the pattern itself. Matching one or more of the shades in the print allows you to decorate harmoniously without overwhelming the pattern. Choose the most neutral color used in the animal print; often this shade will be a tan or beige. Lighter shades of natural ivory and beige also work well with most animal prints.

Other Animal Prints

• Complement one animal print with another. You can combine zebra and cheetah all-over patterns in one area, then use a solid faux fur and tiger stripes in another. Combining authentic looking animal prints works best, so choose patterns and colors that are close together in nature for the best results. Don't overlook the use of fur and feathers to accent animal prints; either can be used as an extra touch or embellishment.

Mini Prints

• Scale, or the size of the printed pattern, plays a role in complementing animal prints as well. An animal printed item with a large all-over pattern such as a big rug, comforter or piece of furniture can be accessorized with a mini animal print. Many mini prints have designs that are so petite they look like solids from a distance. Choose pillows, picture frames and other small accents adorned with mini animal prints and mix them with larger pieces to decorate any room.