Cowhide products have become popular in recent years due to the leather industry’s efforts to remove negative stigmas around animal cruelty. Some commercial leather manufacturing processes are harmful to the environment due to the release of harmful compounds like chromium. However, manufacturers have aligned themselves with eco-friendly practices for a sustainable future.
Many people prefer cowhide rugs for their homes because these products are objectively superior to conventional rugs. This is due to the many properties of cowhide that make the products better than traditional rugs. Authentic and colored cowhide rugs are quickly becoming a trending solution for home décor.
There is nothing wrong with traditional rugs, and some people might prefer them since they are available in various designs and colors. However, cowhide rugs can take home décor to the next level while providing exciting benefits that make them an exciting option for living spaces.
Homeowners have warmed up to the idea of having cowhide products in their homes due to their breathtaking appeal and eco-friendly nature. This has resulted in an exponential increase in sales and a desire to utilize cowhides in homes.
Let’s explore the reasons why cowhide rugs are superior to conventional options.
Why Choose Cowhide Rugs for Home Décor?
Cowhide rugs are made from cowhides, which are sourced from regulated tanneries and farmers. Cattle are not raised specifically for cowhides, which is a common misconception about the leather industry. The raw materials are typically sourced from the meat industry, where there is no real use for cowhides.
Instead of discarding these materials, they are sold to manufacturers or businesses to create cowhide products like rugs and duffel bags.
Organizations like PETA have made serious claims against the leather industry in an effort to remove cowhide products from the market. However, the industry has fought against these claims and brought empirical evidence to light. Once it became clear that there was no animal cruelty involved in the production of cowhide goods, public perception quickly changed.
Now, people are more open-minded when it comes to having animal products in their homes. Cowhide rugs are popular for a bunch of reasons, including the physical properties that make them stand out from traditional rugs.
Although traditional rugs can be of high quality and look very good in homes, they are objectively inferior to cowhide rugs.
Let’s take a closer look at the superior properties of cowhide rugs.
1. Durability
Cowhide rugs are extremely durable and long-lasting. This means homeowners need to buy them only once and forget about replacing them for a lifetime. These rugs are so much better than conventional rugs that they can withstand high-traffic zones with ease and not wear down over time.
Authentic cowhide rugs are made from the best cowhides that are carefully picked for their aesthetics and quality. Colored cowhide rugs are sometimes enhanced with dyes and eco-friendly manufacturing processes to create incredible colors that work well in home settings.
There is a difference between average and premium cowhide rugs. Authentic varieties cost between 100 to 300 USD and are an affordable luxury since they can be used for several decades.
The high value for money makes them an appealing product for home décor, and homeowners are rushing to purchase the best varieties.
Conventional rugs do not last as long because they are not made from durable materials like cowhide. Therefore, the durability of cowhide rugs makes them stand out immensely from traditional options in the market.
2. Ease of Maintenance
Cowhide rugs are very easy to maintain compared to conventional rugs. Hairless varieties can be vacuumed in one or two minutes to remove all traces of dirt without any issues. Even the hair-on varieties are easier to clean than traditional rugs since the cow fur is soft and doesn’t trap as much dust.
When dealing with food or liquid stains, homeowners can get the best results by using a sponge and detergent. You can find rug-friendly detergents from your local store and eliminate the stains as soon as you see them. However, homeowners should avoid using too much water since excessive moisture can damage cowhides.
For deeper cleaning and tricky stains, homeowners can buy a steam cleaner. This makes it possible to get into the fabric of your rugs to remove the stains.
In some cases, it is important to get your cowhide rugs professionally cleaned. An indication of when it’s time to opt for professional cleaning is when your rugs have been inside your home for two or three years. Dust can settle deep into the material over time and only come out through professional cleaning.
However, in most cases, these rugs are very simple to care for.
3. Hypoallergenic Nature
One of the selling points of cowhide rugs is their hypoallergenic nature. These rugs are naturally dust-repellant, which means that dust particles do not stick to the fabric.
Since many cowhide rugs are hairless, there is no chance for excessive dust particles to stick to the smooth surface. Hair-on varieties are also somewhat hypoallergenic since the interior is made from cowhide and has the same properties.
Homeowners with seasonal allergies and breathing conditions like asthma find that cowhide rugs are much superior to conventional rugs. They can safely be used in homes to amplify home décor without triggering allergies.
4. Visually Breathtaking
Cowhide rugs are incredible to look at, making them the perfect accessories for homes. These products are elegant and excellent solutions for changing your home décor for the better.
Colored cowhide rugs are available in shades of black, brown, and white. A wide selection of products is available for homeowners to choose from, allowing them to find a product they like.
How to Use Cowhide Rugs in Your Home
Cowhide rugs are mainly used as centerpieces in living rooms. These products draw attention from family and guests, inviting compliments from all. They are available in different sizes, which means you can use XL-sized rugs for bigger living spaces and smaller ones for less spacious rooms.
These rugs can also be layered on top of each other for a unique vibe in your living room. This might involve picking an XL rug and pairing it with a small or medium in a layering arrangement. The colors can also be contrasted and blended with your flooring, providing homeowners with an opportunity to get creative with their setup.
Dark brown wooden floors blend well with light-brown cowhide rugs. Similarly, the inverse is also true. However, these are just guidelines, and there are no restrictions on what colors you can use since it is a matter of personal preference.
If you don’t know much about how to decorate your spaces with cowhide rugs, you can take inspiration from websites like Pinterest. Or you can copy what looks good as long as you’re happy with it.
Cowhide rugs can also be draped over furniture. For the best results, it makes sense to combine them with leather sofas of the same or similar color. However, you can use any furniture piece and pair it with your rugs as long as it goes well together.
Some homeowners use authentic and colored cowhide rugs as tapestries in their homes. They use the best rugs and hang them on walls to create a special effect, which can be enhanced with spotlights. However, it might make sense to opt for specialty prints, such as leopard, polar bear, and zebra.
Picking the best option for your home requires visualization. You need to pick the perfect product for your needs by imagining what it would look like in your home and whether it will work with your home’s setting. This is why it’s important to do your research before purchasing a cowhide rug since home décor requires some thought.
Although conventional rugs are available in tons of patterns and designs, they are not as versatile as cowhide rugs. They require more maintenance and are not as durable, meaning expensive varieties will wear down over time. If you’re looking for something new, it makes sense to experiment with cowhide rugs since they are a trending option for home décor for a reason.
Are Cowhide Rugs Trending as Home Décor?
Cowhide rugs are trending as home décor in 2023. However, they have always been considered a classic style until organizations like PETA made false claims about the leather industry’s role in animal cruelty.
Some criticisms regarding environmental concerns were legitimate, and the leather industry quickly evolved its practices. The best businesses source their raw materials from regulated places and only produce eco-friendly products. This is possible through a manufacturing process called the vegetable tan method.
The vegetable tan involves using bark and tannic acid to produce high-quality cowhide rugs. The downside to this process is that it takes longer to craft these rugs. Many businesses prioritize efficiency, so they have used an outdated process called the Chrome method. Scientific evidence has made it clear that it is harmful to the environment and can cause adverse effects on humans and animals.
As the leather industry changes its practices, it aligns itself with a sustainable future. Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious about the environment and are only seeking eco-friendly products for their homes. The best businesses and retailers involved in cowhide production only create eco-friendly products to minimize their impact on the environment.
Cowhide rugs are available in three main varieties: average, authentic, and specialty.
Average-quality rugs are not as good as premium varieties and may discolor or wear down over time. They may even be made of imitation cowhide, which does not have the same positive qualities as cowhide.
Authentic cowhide rugs are incredibly popular because they look amazing in homes and can be utilized in a variety of ways. They are available as hairless and hair-on varieties, depending on the homeowner's preference. Those who are solely looking for comfort may opt for Brazilian hair-on rugs. Others may use hairless varieties only as decoration items for their living spaces to create a dramatic effect in their homes.
Specialty cowhide rugs are a bit more expensive and cost between 300 to 600 USD. If you’re looking for interesting designs and prints, you can buy specialty products that can either be used on floors or on walls. They are artificially dyed but retain the authenticity of premium cowhides, resulting in a unique product. Depending on your home’s vibe, you can pick the perfect product by browsing through the product catalog on a reputed retailer’s website.
Sometimes, it makes sense to verify a product's quality in person. If you wish to choose the perfect product, you might need to visit a physical store. Once you can examine the material up close, you can make an informed buying decision.
However, some businesses are well-known in the industry and create high-end products for their customers. If you’ve already purchased a product you like, it makes sense to order new items online. Online images usually reflect the quality optimally if the business is established since they are transparent about their products and quality.
Finding a reputed business selling authentic and colored cowhide rugs involves some research. Homeowners should look for online reviews and customer testimonials to gauge product quality and customer service. Some poor reviews are to be expected since all businesses have unhappy customers. However, the vast majority of testimonials should be positive, which illustrates a business's reputation in the market.
Cowhide Gallery Produce Authentic and Colored Cowhide Rugs for Home Décor
Cowhide Gallery sources its cowhides from regulated tanneries and only uses eco-friendly manufacturing processes for its products. We have established ourselves in the market as the best retailer, selling only premium cowhide rugs at affordable rates.
Check our product catalog to find the perfect cowhide rug for your home and take your home décor to a different level.
We also sell calf hide rugs and duffel bags as part of our line of cowhide products.