Is animal print the ‘new neutral’ for 2026? According to Australian washable rug brand Double Studio, the answer is a resounding yes.

With the launch of their new Animal Print collection, Double Studio is bringing the trend back into the design zeitgeist. But this time, animal print has been reframed as a textural cornerstone designed to complement any modern home.

‘Pattern is returning to contemporary interiors with intent. After years of tonal neutrals dominating the category, spaces are beginning to reflect individual taste again,’ Double Studio design manager Gabriela Vargas says.

The brand believes animal print is at the centre of that shift, a motif with deep roots in textile history that is being reconsidered across design and interiors internationally.

More than three years in the making, the collection introduces seven designs and five constructions to offer a more abstract take on traditional animal prints.

Crafted from 100 per cent New Zealand wool, the Plains Gold Washable Wool Fine Cut Pile Rug draws from leopard print styles, while Grassland Black Woven Tuft Wool Rug plays with zebra motifs in a geometric pattern. And just like all Double Studio rugs, each design is washable to meet the demands of daily life.

‘One thing we kept noticing throughout the design process was how adaptable these patterns became,’ Gabriela adds.

‘Once the scale, colour and construction were right, they behaved much more like a neutral than we expected. They could anchor a room in the same way a plain wool rug might, while still bringing character.’

The real art to making this look come to life is all in the styling. For example, the Wander Sienna Hand Knotted Wool Rug forms a perfect foundation piece in a more restrained space, layering in timber furniture, natural stone accents, and linen upholstery to tie in with the textural base.

Or, use the rich, earthy hues of the Terrain Espresso Hand Knotted Wool Rug to contrast in a space with blush pink or cream walls. Don’t be afraid to mix and match antiques, vintage scones, and even chrome homewares to create an inviting, eclectic look.

‘We hope the collection encourages people to see these patterns in a new light,’ Gabriela says.

‘Not as a statement, but as another timeless design language that deserves a place in the home.’

Double Studios’ Animal Prints collection is out now. Explore the collection exclusively online here.