Go on an adventure in the great outdoors without stepping outside – by bringing home the Wild style of decor! Channel safari vibes in this bold decor style.

Going on a safari is something many of us dream of, and while your next trip may take some time to come to fruition, you can still enjoy the thrill of the great outdoors by bringing home the wild decor style!

Decor Styles 101: Wild

The Wild decor theme is also known as the Safari decor theme, since the roots of this decor style is in the African forests. As a result, this style celebrates Nature in all her glory – various species of animals, lush tropical greens along with accents of the beautiful African culture.

The result is a warm, inviting and exciting space, which reminds us of Mother nature and the many wonders within. it is also a subtle nod to the resilience and the loving nature of the African people, reflected through different kinds of African arts and crafts.

Yes, forests and animals can be found in many places, but when we speak of the wild decor style or safari theme, it generally leads towards Africa. Apparently, this interest began when the British colonized African countries during the 19th century, and the interest expanded towards the rest of the world. Let’s take a look at what this style looks like.

Characteristics of Wild Decor Style

• A wild decor theme room features colors found in Mother Nature, generally in saturated tones
• Animal prints are a prominent part of wild decor, in furnishings, wallpaper and accents
• Furniture is generally dark and heavy, reflecting the British colonial past, including lighter African styles of furniture
• The overall theme is comfortable and exciting, including many conversation starters
• There is a tropical vibe across the space, visible in large plants

6 Ways to bring Wild Decor Style to your Space

1. Go for Nature-inspired Colors

When we talk about bring the African forests to our indoors, there is a wide range of colors to include. To keep some semblance of harmony and maintain a calming feel, it’s best to stick to neutral, earthy tones like browns, greens, mustards along with creams and beiges to offer some negative space.

2. Keep Furniture Classic

Keeping in touch with the origin of this theme, the furniture leans towards the dark, heavy furniture of British colonial times, like mahogany, ebony and walnut. Handcrafted, classic furniture is best, since it helps to ground the look and offers a good background for all the other pieces that come, like furnishings and decor accents.

3. Bring out the Animals

You can’t have a safari without animals, and the wild decor theme is incomplete without them as well! This can be done either by including animal prints or by animal accents. For prints, you can choose from leopard, cheetah, giraffe or zebra. Limit the use of prints – if using on furniture or wallpaper, keep it to a minimum elsewhere. Otherwise, you can keep large surfaces neutral and use the prints in other accents. Less is more in this case to avoid overwhelm.

4. Let Furnishings Speak

Furnishings are an important area in the wild style, and they can be used to create a lovely atmosphere if used correctly. For instance, go with an animal print quilt while keeping the cushion covers and pillows in a solid color. Keep the upholstery of the sofas neutral while using animal print in the rug and/or cushions. Use prints less in a smaller space and more in a larger space to maintain balance.

5. Infuse Tribal Accents

When you’re celebrating the flora and fauna of the African continent, it goes without saying that we’ll imbibe some of the culture as well. Africa is a continent with many countries and several tribes, and each tribe has its own culture and art forms. Do some research and find some gorgeous pieces like pottery, masks, baskets, statues and paintings to sprinkle across your home.

Time to turn your home into a tropical paradise! The wild decor style relies on lots of plants to create the right look, preferably large, leafy ones. Place a number of them in a corner and arrange the furniture based on this corner. You can also bring in twigs and branches and place them in tall vases to create a dramatic look.

The best part about the wild decor style is that you can go as little or as far as you like with it. You can also mix it into other decor styles like rustic to create a look that’s unique. Since this is such a vibrant style, it’s important to keep limits on the pieces you’re displaying, and also pay attention to cultural appropriation. With a little trial and error, you’ll get it right and you’ll finally have a place you enjoy completely!

This post is a part of the Blogchatter A2Z Blogging Challenge 2021.