Animal prints are more in style than ever and that especially includes a zebra pillow. What’s more, fabric manufacturers and designers are using cruelty-free techniques to make zebra pillow as earth-friendly as possible.

For instance, designer Jonathan Adler proclaims that his company’s pillow is “a zebra pillow even a zebra would own!” That’s because Adler contracts with Peruvian weavers to create pillows in zebra designs in every color of the rainbow – and then some! The zebra pillow comes standard in brown, green, red or black against a white background but there are a dozen or more special-order shades available to customize the design. Adler uses weavers associated with Aid to Artisans, an organization that supports native crafters.

If a hand-loomed zebra pillow is a bit beyond your interior decorating budget, don’t despair. A quick online search for “zebra pillow” produced enough cushions to comfort herds of zebras. Name your favorite size, shape or color, and there’s probably a zebra pillow out there that matches your specifications.

Inside Or Out, Zebra Pillow Brings Bold Style

Zebra pillows range from 12-inch long neckrolls (also known as “bolsters”), to huge cushions suitable for floor-sitting. And the fabrics! You could find a zebra pillow in everything from a simple, sturdy cotton print over a foam insert to hand-loomed wool stuffed with feathers and down. There’s a zebra pillow made of soft, huggable faux fur and another done in elegant needlepoint.

Perhaps the most unusual style these days is the outdoor zebra pillow. No, it isn’t a genuine zebra. Real zebras wouldn’t hold still to be pillows anyway, because they’re they only equine species that has never been domesticated over the thousands of years it has existed.

Outdoor zebra pillows have been constructed of durable, all-weather fabric that resists wear and tear. It holds up to the effects of sun, rain, soil and even stains from spills at patio parties. One version from designer Elaine Smith comes in a cocoa hue, echoing those unusual brown-and-white members of the zebra family. These throw pillows will compliment any style of outdoor furniture, from wrought-iron to wicker and teak.

With its bold pattern and strong colors, a zebra pillow can be the focal point of a cushion collection. The key to using a zebra pillow effectively in home decoration is to remember the cardinal rule of using animal prints: Less is definitely more. And the second rule resembles the first: A zebra print pillow must fit its surroundings.

For instance, imagine a zebra pillow in a romantic-style bedroom décor filled with ruffles and florals. That zebra would be galloping for the door in an instant!

On the other hand, a sleek Contemporary living room décor, using lots of gleaming metal and glass, and a neutral color scheme, would be energized by a couple of zebra pillows. Those bold stripes would leap right off the couch, giving the eye a perfect place to land in what might otherwise be a bland room.

So don’t be afraid of adding a zebra pillow or two to your decorating scheme, whether it’s outside on a patio or in a sunroom or inside in bedroom or living room. Just remember: Zebras have been wild for thousands of years, so don’t think your pillow will be tame, either!