I never thought this daring print could feel tasteful, until Reese Witherspoon's sofa immediately changed my mind

In my home, minimalism reigns supreme. I love working with neutrals, from my cream and beige cushions to my subtle rattan accessories that sit alongside my houseplants. You can imagine, then, that introducing animal print was never on my agenda. Then I saw Reese Witherspoon's zebra-printed sofa.

While researching Reese Witherspoon's property portfolio, I had the opportunity to revisit some of the actress's archival shots, when her animal-printed piece stopped me in my tracks.

I'd always thought this pattern was daring, and far too audacious to introduce in a minimalist living room like my own. However, Reese's black and brown print doesn't feel overly intrusive. It simply makes a statement without being overpowering. It's one of the chicest sofas I've ever seen, and I never thought I'd say that about zebra print.

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Knowing how to decorate with animal prints tastefully is easier than it looks. I spoke to celebrated designer, Kathy Kuo, from Kathy Kuo Home, who explained that balance is key.

'When used intentionally, animal prints like leopard, zebra, and tiger prints can look really chic and subtle,' she says. ' It's all about setting a balance where the animal print is an eye-catching accent that complements other colors and patterns, rather than the dominant print across the entire space.'

Alongside a zebra print, Kathy has noticed cow prints shaping interior design trends for 2025. However, you don't need to limit it to your sofa. A cow-printed cushion, just like this one on Wayfair, is subtle enough to deserve a place in even the most minimalist of living spaces. Trust me, I would shop for it for myself.

'I love animal print for decorative pillows and hair-on-hide throw rugs especially, but I've also noticed a trend toward western-inspired cow print for ottomans and bench cushions as well,' Kathy says.

When in doubt, keep the area around your animal prints neutral, and accessories and artwork to a minimum. That way, your space won't feel too overwhelmed with color, and you can enjoy the lightheartness of these prints without worry. Take it from Reese, who did it first.