Put a bug on it: 7 reasons why you need to embrace the insect trend

Bugs, butterflies and bees – creepy crawlies are really flying right now, trend-wise. On cushions, wallpapers, lamp shades, jewellery and prints – insects are everywhere.

By Tamara Kelly
last updated

dining room with dining table and chair

(Image credit: TBC)

1. They give retro edge
From cave paintings of termites to scarab beetles etched on Egyptian tombs... Humans have long been inspired by the insect world. Butterflies, one of man's earliest pin-ups, have been beautifully captured in this Papilio 111079 wallpaper, £56 per 10m roll, from Harlequin. It features bold, botanically drawn specimens with monochrome illustrations based on research from Kew Gardens.

dragonfly painting on white paper

(Image credit: TBC)

If you can't commit to a wall of bugs, try a discreet print, such as this delicate study of a Dragonfly by John Abbot, £165, from Surface View's collection, that reinvents images from the Natural History Museum archive.

lamp shade with purple colour

(Image credit: TBC)

2. They light up a room
We were drawn to this Bell moth lamp shade from Timorous Beasties, £215, well, like a moth to a flame. With gorgeous colouring and markings, the humble moth is giving its nearest relative, the butterfly, a run for its money.

cup and spoons in kitchen

(Image credit: TBC)

We also made a beeline (ahem) for Loaf's Beehive drum lamp shades, from £155 each, handmade from cotton in Dorset. They would be great for a busy kitchen or a buzzing living area.

cushion with white background

(Image credit: TBC)

3. They're cuddly
Well, you know the saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer... We couldn't resist this hand-finished Lucanus Cervus beetle cushion, from £60, at Surface View. Snug as...

Blue wall with books

(Image credit: TBC)

4. They make a statement
Bugs make an excellent standout feature, on a table, in a dome, or even over a pile of books... like this larger-than-life taxidermy, from £300, by the ingenious Mister Finch, who is exhibiting in New York soon.

butterfly painting with white background

(Image credit: TBC)

Livingetc also loves this stunning, old-school butterfly dome, £600, by artist Charlotte Proudlove. She only uses non-endangered species that are responsibly sourced.

Scissor Spiders

(Image credit: TBC)

5. They're hitting the recycling trendCheck out these Scissor Spiders by the resourceful American artist Christopher Locke (they're bringing Harry Potter vividly to mind...) Made from scissors confiscated by US airport security, they're currently on show at the Mechanical Entomology exhibition alongside other brilliant and eye-popping mechanical creatures at the MAD Gallery. Bionic insects anyone?

dragonfly with golden chain

(Image credit: TBC)

6. They're glamorous
Beautifully crafted, a gold dragonfly pendant, £132, by British jeweller Alex Monroe makes a splendid present. Is that not subtle? Just saying...

mug with dishes

(Image credit: TBC)

7. They're oh-so pretty
Beautiful, functional and from nature – insects are totally up Arts and Crafts' street. We've got our beady eye on Zara Home's new decorative tableware and bed linen. So now you're all set – insects are a trend that you can literally eat, drink and sleep in. Time to embrace the little creatures...

Tamara Kelly
Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street. 

Latest