Hide rugs are such a stylish and elegant option from our rug guide that we thought they deserved their own dedicated post! Why? Cowhide rugs are no longer just for the southern states who deck their homes head to toe with our Rustic Lodge and French Country collection. City chic businesswoman? Hide rugs. Stylish suburban soccer mom? Hide rugs. Coastal beach girl? Hide rugs. Mud-loving Texan vaquera with a passion for interior design? …well yes, it’s still hide rugs. The hide rug is the perfect piece for creating a naturally inviting home without sacrificing design. Here are a few reasons why the Kuotes is so enamored.
Cowhide Chic
A cowhide rug can be an unexpected touch in a neutral room. Neutral on neutral is one of our favorite looks. It creates an incredibly warm and welcoming environment that’s clean and refreshing. Note how modern and bright the rooms above and below appear. Hide rugs do not have to be rustic and masculine and dark (although they very well can be); light and feminine designs can often be perfected with hide rugs as an accent as well.
We love the texture that hide rugs bring to a room. They soften the edges of furniture, which make them perfect for modern designs with straight lines. But they also look incredible in more traditional homes with hardwood floors. Try contrasting dark woods and wall color with a pale cowhide rug to highlight their richness.
Hide Rug Tips
Shaking out hide rugs is the best material-friendly way to get it clean of dust and dander. Do this routinely and your hide rug can last a lifetime. However, a soft-bristle vacuum attachment will also do the trick. DO NOT dry clean a hide rug. Since cowhide rugs are naturally stain-resistant, they’re a great choice for high-traffic areas or kids rooms and homes with small children.
For young kids, make sure to choose furniture that is 100% nontoxic, like a hide rug from KKH. And if there is a spill, do not panic! You could actually spill a glass of red wine onto your hide rug, and it would wipe right off. Just take a damp cloth with a pea-sized drop of dish soap and stroke gently with the grain of hair. Once the spill is cleaned, rinse your cloth until it runs clean. Go over your spill several times until all soap is removed and leave to dry. It will be good as new. (And if you liked that tip, you’ll love our fabric and textile guide).
Get Creative!
You may adore these hide rugs like we do, but what if you want something a little more vibrant to show your colorful and playful side? Cowhide rugs are still an option. You could go with a faux patterned hide, like zebra or leopard, to have a more youthful and eclectic flair while maintaining a dignified style. Hide rugs can also be dyed to add a pop of color to a more neutral design.
Tradition Meets Modern
Of course, if a more traditional rustic vibe is what you’re going for, there’s no problem in going back to the countryside roots that started this design trend. Just make sure to brighten up your space with a few modern elements (like faux white throws and modern dining chairs) to ensure your space doesn’t look dated.