These days, cowhide rugs in real or faux styles proliferate style catalogs and Instagram feeds. Both types come with many benefits, but the effect remains the same. Cowhide rugs bring bold splashes of rugged outdoor sophistication to any space in your home. While these rugs add key finishing touches to homes decorated in a southwestern style, they don’t only belong as part of a theme. They also bring a bit of fireside warmth and adventurous spirit to traditionally styled rooms. Whether you have natural accents in your space that match well with cowhide, or if your room happens to be a contemporary space that needs a splash of warmth, the unique shape and texture of a cowhide spread out organically with flair.
But you don’t have to invest in the whole cow to have a cowhide rug. In fact, faux cowhide is a very desirable rug option these days. While a real cowhide rug has its own charms and rustic appeal, faux cowhide rugs offer affordable, easy-to-clean options that are perfect for large families, homes with pets, or if you need machine-washable rugs because you’re simply more accident-prone. Whether you want an organic look without the hassle of caring for leather or prefer real cowhide to faux, there are many options to choose from to bring that iconic look into your home.
The Difference Between Real Cowhide Rugs and Faux Cowhide Rugs
Design experts have found many benefits to both real and faux cowhide. Whatever your reasons may be for preferring one over the other (or whether you like both), there are some key differences in material and variations in style.
Real cowhide rugs come from a cow, but don’t be fooled–they are incredibly durable and can last up to ten years at a time if properly maintained. Since they come from natural sources, no two cowhide rugs look exactly the same. These colors and patterns are all-natural and unaltered, coming in a unique shape that can’t be duplicated. With a real cowhide rug, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind piece that belongs only to you. These rugs can be dyed or altered to match a pattern or fit a niche, but most people tend to prefer the unique look on their own.
Faux cowhide rugs, on the other hand, come in machine-washable styles that make them perfect for large households and high-traffic areas. If you have your heart set on a certain cowhide pattern, your best bet is to invest in a faux cowhide that perfectly matches your idea. These rugs come in many different colors and styles, offering a wide variety. They can even come in some wilder, more exotic options, including zebra stripes and solid colors.
The Versatility of Cowhide Rugs around Your Home
Remember long road trips through the countryside? Everyone pointed to the cows when you passed by a herd or a lone cow. In the same way, everyone will be immediately drawn to a cowhide rug in your room, no matter where you put it. Here are some ideas for how to dress up different places in the house with your cowhide rug.
Kitchen rugs: Does your breakfast table function as a craft table as well? Perhaps you like to scrapbook or put together puzzles outside of mealtimes in one of the busiest rooms in the house. Lay out a cowhide rug by an oversized wooden chest to store all your crafts for when they need to be off the table. For a room like the kitchen, choose a washable cowhide like this Zahara Faux Cowhide Washable Area Rug in brown so that stains and spills don’t affect your unique floor covering.
Dining Room rugs: Cowhide rugs can act as rustic, comforting accent pieces when laid beside a special dining room piece, like the hutch where you display your crystal dessert plates or a hand-carved liquor cart. Washable cowhide rugs make even more sense in this space since they can withstand stains and dirt. Make sure guests understand that this room is meant to be enjoyed with a soft cowhide rug that adds to the sophistication of the room without excluding the comfort of others.
Living Room rugs: A cowhide rug can be right at home in a warm sitting area that gets ample sunlight or in a contemporary living room that emphasizes art and gentle lines. Place one besides your fireplace to show off your cozy space or underneath a work of art to bring an organic masterpiece that complements your other pieces on the walls.
Bedroom rugs: Where do you get dressed every day? That space can use a rug that’s as unique and glamorous as you are, paired with a mirror and a chandelier lamp on your dresser. Something shiny and confident to inspire you like this Devour Cowhide 5′ x 7′ Area Rug in gold belongs in your space to pump you up in the morning.
Hallway rugs: Invite guests with a charming and warm cowhide rug in your hallway. The unique shape can help fill up an oversized hallway or make a tiny front entryway seem just the tiniest bit larger.
Layer a Cowhide Rug with Another Rug
Cowhide rugs make other rugs look even more unique. Rather than eclipse one rug with another, creating a fabulous, unique style all your own with a cowhide rug layered on top of another rug can define your space.
Wool rugs: A soft, plush wool rug can provide a different textural experience from a cowhide rug. Pair them with each other for a special background for your beautiful cowhide piece. Rugs like this Mona Pinstriped Sunset Wool Washable Area Rug in ivory help create an incredible southwestern style for the rest of your room.
Jute rugs: A soft, tightly woven jute rug in its natural color with a beige or tan already complements a cowhide rug. You can layer these rugs or place them side by side in an oversized space (especially in an open loft concept).
Cotton rugs: Cotton rugs are durable, versatile, and deserve to be paired with something as unique as a cowhide rug. Try a brown or beige cowhide rug on top of a cotton flatweave rug like this Herringbone Cotton Flatwoven Area Rug in navy.
How to Clean Real Cowhide Rugs or Faux Cowhide Rugs
Cleaning your real or faux cowhide may seem challenging, but don’t be daunted by the task.
Cleaning real cowhide rugs: You can shake the dirt from your natural cowhide rug, which, thanks to its lack of weave or knots, doesn’t trap as much dirt as other rugs would. You can vacuum it as well, but choose a vacuum hose and vacuum in the same direction as the hair on the hide, to avoid friction. If you want to use extreme caution, try brushing the cowhide with a broom or a soft brush to shake the dirt off. Place the tiniest bit of eucalyptus oil on your cowhide and brush the grease off to remove grease stains. Other stains can be removed with shampoo and warm water.
Washing faux cowhide rugs: Depending on the material, faux cowhide rugs can be vacuumed with a regular vacuum attachment. If you have a washable cowhide rug, like the ones found at Rugs USA, you can simply roll the rug up and throw it in the wash without worrying about it.
Pick Your Cow from Rugs USA!
Whether you like real cowhide rugs or prefer faux cowhide rugs, Rugs USA has plenty of options to choose from–even washable faux cowhide rugs for busy families and homes! There’s no reason to avoid having this unique style in your home, so shop for cowhide rugs here.
