It’s a jungle out there! With maximalism ruling over all other decor styles, people are looking to pile on the patterns in fashion and interior design, especially when it comes to animal prints. You might think of leopard first, but zebra’s recently been spotted everywhere: From the red carpet to your local department store, it’s appeal comes from its way of making an instant statement at any budget.

Zebra’s graphic nature makes it pop whether you use it as a rug or just a pattern on a throw pillow. If you’re ready to take a walk on the wild side, read on for some simple tips on how to make this trend your own, no matter the style of your home.

Why Is Zebra Everywhere Now?

Animal prints are classics (some even consider them a neutral)—so while they’re never truly out of style, they’re particularly feigned over right now. Zebra is one of those patterns that translates seamlessly to a variety of design styles, appealing to myriad tastes. And the black-and-white color combination is easily added to most color palettes, so you have a lot of flexibility with this bold look.

Zebra made a huge resurgence on the runway in 2023, and many celebrities are wearing it to events (like Rachel Zoe at the Curateur International Women’s Day Dinner). Fashion trends have seeped into decor season after season, and you can continue to look at clothing to understand you’ll be seeing in the home.

It’s also in line with the most popular aesthetics trending in home design: Current styles like maximalism are easily enhanced by the addition of a pattern like zebra, and it can anchor a collected or heritage-inspired decor with its strong contrasting look.

While it’s easy to see how you could work this pattern into a home filled with more traditional and ornate decor, you don’t have to limit it to layered looks—minimalist homes can get in on the fun, too. The crisp black and white of a zebra can be quite modern and contemporary takes on the trend can make it softer and more subtle to suit your taste.

How to Use Zebra Without Making Your Space Feel Like a Zoo

There are literal ways to use zebra that fit in with the collected and layered decor we’re seeing, like with a faux hide rug. Using the pattern as a rug grounds the room and sets the tone, and you can continue to pile on the accessories from there to build a rich and textured look. Don’t be afraid to add contrasting pieces—maximalism is all about more, and it doesn’t need to be matchy-matchy.

If you’re into the stripes but want something less traditional, try a large anchor piece of furniture like a couch or headboard for an exciting, modern look. A zebra-patterned wallpaper is also a dramatic, fearless way to make use of this trend—though with something this over the top, try it as an accent wall if you’re worried about your room feeling overwhelmed.

While big and bold can be beautiful, it’s not for everyone. If you want to soften the look, stray from the typical black and white, and do a grey and white or beige and cream. This color changeup also makes the pattern less literal and more feminine.

You can also start small: Zebra acts much like a stripe, so you can layer it in with other patterns for a subtle update to couch cushions. The trick to adding patterns like this and making it look cohesive is using three different patterns, making sure there’s an element tying each together. For example, you could do a zebra, floral, and dot print together if they’re all black and white. Consider adding a matching braided trim to all the pillows to really get a seamless effect.

And because zebra is popular right now, there are also more options for accessories than ever before. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and add unexpected pieces like printed vases or cloth napkins to add a fun finishing touch to your space.