Welcome to the jungle

Take inspiration from South Africa – the host nation for the World Cup and hunt down safari style for rooms. Bag "big game" – by featuring animal print homeware, zebra and tiger stripes or leopard spots – and complement it with richly grained, dark wood furniture and colourful tribal print fabrics to conjure a desirable off-the-beaten-track atmosphere.

And take satisfaction from being ahead of the herd trend-wise as designers are predicting this "natural and exotic" look is already gaining such popularity that it's guaranteed to star in the autumn home collections.

The jungle's lush natural resources and a multitude of tribal designs inspired a fusion of British Colonial and African traditions which have translated into today's sophisticated African Safari decor. The secret to decorating successfully with animal print is to use contrast in textures – leather, silks, linens and wools – and layer colour shades which can range from light neutrals through to sludgy browns, dusky tan and oranges. All you have to beware of is looking like a trophy hunter with too many animal prints roaming your rooms.

Follow the less is more rule and feature a maximum of two elements such as a cow skin rug in soft browns and creams on a wooden floor, and subtly enhance the effect with a scattering of zebra print cushions. We've sourced a menagerie of products that won't bite, need feeding or even trigger allergies. So make sure you win on the home front and create a perfect sultry setting for watching those World Cup matches, no matter what your location.

Lucky Leopard, Giant Giraffe or Scruffy Cow are animal-inspired designs which can feature on blinds, wallpaper, cushions and canvases. They are available from the Skins collection at Digetex. All start from about 35 per metre square.

Brilliantly quirky giant Elephant and Zebra wall stickers, 79.98 each, are from B&Q, and their Leopard Print wallpaper, 14.98 a roll.

Hardwood flooring or carpets and rugs in natural, eco-friendly materials such as jute, coir, seagrass and wool, and dark wood shutters or blinds for windows could heighten a colonial feel.

"An African theme for rooms was popular a decade ago but has recently roared back into fashion," said leading interior designer, Greg Kinsella, who has given the look a chic contemporary twist by using fresh, bright shades on a fabric and paper range featuring designs based on the paw prints of jungle animals. "The beauty of safari style is that you only need a few accessories to add instant interest and impact to a room. Also, this look is unusual in appealing equally to both men and women as it's not twee but is sensual without being girly. Its characteristic earthy, natural tones and tactile textures translate well into any setting."

Track down a zebra print rug runner, from 35 from Next, or sheepskin rugs in honey gold, chocolate brown, black and cream, from 35 each from Marks & Spencer. Its large brown and cream cowhide rug, 299. Win roars of approval for your unusual storage style with a leopard print trunk, 124, from Eastern Influence.

In hot and humid climes, furniture is kept to a minimum so air can circulate, so don't overcrowd a room with too much large furniture.

Lie back and think of Africa as you lounge on distressed leather sofas or just give an existing sofa a revamp by dressing it with a faux fur throw.

Distinctive chairs are fast emerging as affordable statement pieces for rooms, and you could capture this style by displaying one upholstered in faux fur or in made from hides sourced after managed culls.

A Cavendish Safari sofa upholstered in chocolate brown leather and velvet and it has velvet Safari animal print scatter cushions. It's 853, from Sofa & Home. A faux-fur Leopard Print Bar Stool, 159.85 from Drinkstuff, is gloriously kitsch and could be an ideal perch as you sup a pint while watching a big match.

Two budget choices are a Zebra-print fold up chair with cup holder, 12 from Next, and a cow print throw, 22 from Tesco Home.

The mystery and romance of safaris first entranced people in the early 1900s, and those ingredients are ideally suited to atmospheric bedrooms. Evoke retro traveller's style with a four-poster bed with floaty muslin drapes or mosquito nets, or one with a carved solid wood headboard. Add some zest with animal print bedding and authentic African accessories.

Barker and Stonehouse has a rosewood furniture range with an old-world ambience to perfectly complement a tribal room. A Borneo Colonial Bed is 3,115. Get your paws on Argos' Inspired Collection Animal Print bedding. A fur-effect Animal print tub chair, 129.99. A single duvet and pillowcase, 14.99, and cushions 9.99.

House Couturier has captured the atmosphere of southern Africa with its online collection of Fairtrade products, African cushions, feathered lights and porcupine quill mirrors. An exquisite Guinea Fowl Cone Lampshade, 298. Details such as carved wooden animals, African pottery or evocative wall prints, and tropical plants may be all that's needed to set the scene. Soccer fans can "fly the flag" with a Jan Constantine cushion, 75, combining a black and white leopard print with a Union Jack design.

There is no need to confine the style to living areas. Transform tame bathrooms. Enliven them with a leopard print shower curtain, 14.98 from B&Q, and Tiger print towels by designer, Julien Macdonald, which start from 2 from Debenhams.

Treat the smallest room in the house to a Safari Gold collection of three toilet rolls in zebra, leopard and giraffe prints, delicately perfumed with African inspired scents. A set is 5.99 from Totally Funky.

Another budget buy is Tesco's animal print candles, which are only 5 each.

Argos: 0845 640 1010 www.argos.co.uk

Asda: 0500 100 055 www.asda.co.uk

Barker & Stonehouse: 01642 230 988 www.barkerandstone house.co.uk

B&Q: 0845 850 0175 www.diy.com

Jan Constantine: 01270 821194 www.janconstantine.com

Debenhams: 08445 616161 www.debenhams.com

Digetex: 0161 873 8891 www.digetex.com

Drinkstuff: 0845 313 33 52 www.drinkstuff.com

Eastern Influence: 01483 729256 www.easterninfluence. co.uk

House Couturier: 0207 371 9255 www.housecouturier.eu

Greg Kinsella: 020 7352 7989 www.gregkinsella.com

Marks & Spencer: 0845 302 1234 www.marksandspencer. com

Next: 0844 844 8000 www.next.co.uk

Sofa & Home: 01652 650 942 www.sofaandhome.co.uk

Tesco: 0845 6004411 www.tesco.com

Totally Funky: 0845 226 9110 www.totallyfunky.com

YP MAG 5/6/10