Animalcore Is the Unexpected Trend Taking Over Home Interiors—Here’s How to Get the Look
A classic leopard print has been standard design fare for generations. And a whimsical chinoiserie with birds and monkeys? A perennial favorite of design enthusiasts. But there’s a new animal trend on the block, and this one is a bit quirkier and a lot more unexpected.
Animalcore is becoming all the rage in interior design, and it’s a three-dimensional walk on the wild side. Designers are introducing everything from life-size giraffes to wicker elephants to the iconic Les Lalanne sheep into their designs. It’s whimsical, unique, and, dare we say, incredibly stylish.
Of course, there’s an art to getting this look right. To help you nail this trend, we tapped interior designers who shared their insights on how to bring the animalcore aesthetic into your own home.
What is Animalcore?
Animalcore goes beyond the expected animal print wallpaper or statement pillow by welcoming three-dimensional animals into your home, often in oversized or life-sized forms. Caroline Levenson, founder and principal of Caroline Levenson Design, explains, “Animalcore embraces the charm of wildlife and nature, creating spaces that feel both whimsical and grounded.”
This design style often features faux animals mounted on the walls, large stuffed animals hanging out in unlikely places, and animal forms incorporated anywhere there’s an open space. “Animalcore blends nostalgia with a touch of fantasy, making interiors feel warm, inviting, and playfully untamed,” adds Levenson.
Key Features of Animalcore
Above all else, animalcore is whimsical and fun. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it’s still incredibly stylish. Materials can range from wicker to ceramic to plush. It’s all fair game—as long as the animals are three-dimensional.
But the key to a successful animal core space is striking the perfect quirky yet intentional note. “When incorporating animal-inspired elements, achieving the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication is a must,” says Lauren Wills Grover, founder of Wills Design Associates.
Tips for Incorporating Animalcore Into Your Home
Add an Element of Cozy Nostalgia
Kathy Kuo Home
Stuffed animals bring us back to childhood, and that cozy nostalgia is enough reason to incorporate them into your home’s design. From fuzzy sheep to plush animals, they feel like the comfort food of design. “Animals represent playfulness, innocence, and pure joy, and this is a nice way to infuse those values into the home,” says Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home.
Don’t Invite the Entire Zoo
Nyla Sammons
Keep this design style minimal to avoid making your space feel too kitschy. “Too many animal pieces can quickly turn overly thematic,” warns Wills Grover. Rather than filling a room with an entire zoo, choose one or two animals to be the star of the show. More than that, it can quickly go from a whimsical, unexpected touch to an animal-themed room.
Introduce Animals in a Neutral Palette
Wills Design Associates / Studio Thanasis
Sometimes, it’s best to stay within a neutral palette when you’re incorporating an animalcore element. A wicker take on an animal feels fun yet understated. “I used a handcrafted wicker fish pendant light that serves as a playful touch while maintaining the space’s understated décor,” says Wills Grover. “This single statement piece creates charm without overwhelming the room.”
Use Functional Animals
Wills Design Associates / Studio Thanasis
Put the animals in your home to work! Rather than choosing an animal statue, look for pieces that serve a purpose. “Animal-shaped accent furniture is another opportunity to introduce unexpected personality into a space. A side table resembling an elephant can function as both practical and a conversation piece,” Wills Grover says.
Incorporate Animals as a Conversation Starter
Peltier Interiors / PCV
Incorporate pieces with a story into your space. “Animalcore is a playful nod to nature that still feels elevated when done in rich materials like these brass cranes,” says Amy Peltier, creative director and CEO of Peltier Interiors. Not only do these pieces act as conversation starters, but they bring charm without overpowering the room’s overall aesthetic.”
Add Drama With Scale
Saffron Interior Design / Tori Sikkema Photography
If you’re going to bring in a lifelike animal, go big and bold. Treat it like an art piece rather than an accessory, and make the room work around it. “The scale of the giraffe adds drama, and it instantly becomes the talking point of the space. I paired it with a sleek, low-profile sofa and layers of texture to ground the room and keep the focus on that fabulous statement piece,” says Vamsha Shetty, owner of Saffron Interiors.
Don’t Underestimate Small Animal Moments
JG Color Studios
If you only want to dip a toe into the trend, don’t worry. Animalcore doesn’t have to be a life-sized giraffe. It can be a small moment that works with the rest of the room’s aesthetic. “Sometimes, it’s the little accents that make the biggest impact,” Jennifer Guerin, founder of JG Color Studios says. “This playful brass piece brings just the right touch of whimsy and character to the space.”
Think About the Bigger Meaning
Animals can have symbolism beyond looking stylish on a wall, and thinking about which animals mean the most to you can help guide you toward the right one for your space. “I have always personally incorporated animals of every type into our clients’ designs mostly due to the innate connection to nature it brings,” says Guerin, who notes that some animals carry a cultural significance and others may have a personal connection. “Animals can symbolize various traits such as strength, wisdom, and freedom. They can also serve as a remembrance of someone or an event,” she says.
Connect the Walls and Art With the Animals
Michelle Gage
Animals make sense in a space when they’re an echo of something that’s already within the room, whether it’s the wallpaper, upholstery, or art. “In this nursery, we included a fluffy sheep, which spoke to the woodland theme in the William Morris wallpaper. This connection helps give the sheep an understandable purpose,” says Michelle Gage, founder and creative director of Michelle Gage Interiors. “It’s not a random tie-in; it harkens back to the original design intent.”
Use Timeless Textures
Caroline Levenson Design / Adam and Amber Ford
Animalcore can feel kitschy, but not if you style it in a way that feels playful and stylish. Levenson recommends balancing bold animal elements with classic textures like linen or wood and sticking to a cohesive color palette to prevent a room from feeling overly themed. She adds, “Thoughtful placement—like a statement piece rather than clutter—ensures the look remains curated and sophisticated.”
Don’t Overthink It
John Keeble / Getty Images
Animalcore is meant to be fun and whimsical, so don’t stress over whether it’s exactly right. “If you like it, buy it, and you will find a place for it! My rattan animals have all been added over time. When I meet one I love, they get adopted into the pack,” says Andrea Sinkin Jaffe, founder of Andrea Sinkin Design.
