4 Unique Uses for Cowhide Pillows

Cowhide elements are always a fashionable touch to your home. But what if you are a little nervous about using cowhide in your home for the first time? Luckily your first leap into the world of cowhide doesn’t have to be a big leap. Why not try cowhide pillows instead?

Cowhide pillows are a great accent piece for your bed in your bedroom or your couch or reading chair in the living room. This way you get to enjoy the benefits of cowhide – its sophisticated look, its unique colors and patterns (no two cowhide are the same) and the soft texture – without having it overwhelm the space.

Here are 4 unique uses for cowhide pillows

1. To Add Texture to a Room

One simple trick most interior designers use to add texture to a room is to layer pillows of different colors, sizes, patterns and textures. Your cowhide pillows will work really well doing this. The cowhide pillow’s rich colors and patterns complement any style whether modern or traditional.

Cowhide pillows, in particular, can really bring a nice subtle punch of color and texture to a room that is mostly neutrals like beige, tan and white.

2. To Add Extra Seating

If space is at a minimum in your home and you always worry about having enough seats for when you entertain, your cowhide pillows can help. Cowhide pillows are soft and comfortable to sit on and make the perfect impromptu extra sits for when you have company over or you and the kids are just all trying to snuggle up together and watch a movie or play a game.

3. DIY Seat Cushions

Another unique way to use cowhide pillows is to attach them to your hardwood dining room chairs as cushions. Always wanted fancy dining room chairs that are padded, but can’t afford to replace your old, plain hardwood dining room chairs just yet? Make it a DIY project and sew a cowhide pillow to the seats of your chair. Just think how much more comfortable and sophisticated your dining room will be.

4. Give It as a Keepsake

Cowhide pillows also make great gifts. Add a photo to it and or some other decorations to make it more personable and it will make a great keepsake.

Here are some other ways to include cowhide in your home:

• Cowhide Rugs. Of course the most popular use of cowhide is cowhide rugs. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and each one is unique. They come in black and white, brown and white, brindle, speckled and brindled.
• Cowhide Furniture. You can even get your cowhide in your furniture with cowhide couches and chairs. They are very durable and easy to take care of but also give a sophisticated touch to any space.
• Cowhide Lamps. Lighting is important in any room and the light fixtures you choose really adds to the ambience of the space. Try cowhide lamps in your living room or den for a unique look. You will love reading by its light late into the night. They can even bring some charm into the bedroom as bedside lamps. Who knew lamps could be so much fun?
• Cowhide Placemats. The kitchen might seem like an odd place for cowhide, but cowhide placemats can be a fun addition to any meal. If even you have a more modern kitchen, these placemats will only stand out in a good way. You can also use them in the dining room when you have guests over for a meal. They will appreciate the luxurious note the placemats bring to the table.

Cowhide furniture and rugs can be a big investment so it is important to make sure you get a quality pieces that will last for generations to come. Here are some tips for ensuring that you pick a quality cowhide:

• Know where the cowhide is coming from -- Experts agree that the highest quality cowhide come from Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and France so make sure you know where yours is coming from. Top manufacturers will use special chrome salts and oils in the tanning process for the highest quality and softest hides. Also look for companies that are against animal cruelty and who only use skins from cows who were raised for their meat and milk. It is important to look into the background of the company you are considering purchasing from.
• Test the quality of the cowhide -- There are different ways you can test the quality of the cowhide. If you purchase a cowhide rug, you can do the bunch test where you bunched the rug up and then let it fall out. High quality rugs will fall out naturally without any wrinkles. You can also do a smell test to see if it smells like genuine leather. Don’t worry you will be immediately able to tell the difference. You should also look at the coat. If it appears shiny and healthy then you probably have a good quality hide.

Because you are most likely going to order your cowhide pieces online, it is important to go with a company that has a good return policy. That way if you are not satisfied with the quality of the cowhide you can send it back.

Consider Incorporating Other Animal Prints Too

Animal print can be a little scary to decorate with because you are afraid it will come across too brash and loud. This might even keep you from mixing and matching animal prints, but it shouldn’t. The rule of thumb is to only mix animal patterns that are of similar size and color. For example, two prints that are made up of similar shades of brown and whose spots are of similar size will go really well together. So go ahead and get creative and have fun pairing cowhide up with other animal prints.

For more information about cowhide furniture, rugs and other accessories, contact Cowhide Outlet today. They can answer any questions you may have about incorporating cowhide into your home.