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We are all looking to spruce up our living space these days and one affordable way to add some style to any room is with a faux cowhide rug. These rugs may be faux but are so well made they look almost real and need to be attended to so that they stay in the best shape possible.
Below are some of our favorite faux cowhide rug options. We have included a few different size and color options that will only work to enhance your favorite room. These rugs are all made from synthetic fibers that have a super soft texture, and most have rubber-style backing to ensure they stay in place.
They are also easy to clean, can be machine washed and vacuumed, and will pair well with many decor styles including classic, rustic, modern, and western.
Comparing the Top Faux Cowhide Rugs
Seek4comfortable Rug — Best Overall
This faux cowhide print rug looks and feels like the real thing and is ideal for smaller areas including the office, living room, or bedroom. This rug consists of soft, short, faux fur, velvet, and polyester to create an authentic look, feels like a real cowhide rug, and will make a statement in any room in which it is placed.
Pros
- This rug comes with a pad that keeps it flat and slip-resistant
- The fur has a silky feel and is anti-static
Cons
- Do not place this rug in direct sunlight or it may fade
MustMat Rug — Runner Up
This faux cowhide rug has a full-on cow print with black and white faux fur and will be the focal point of the house. This rug is super soft and makes a fun and unique addition to any kid’s room or play area and is affordable enough so you don’t have to worry much about it getting dirty.
Pros
- This rug has a rubber grip on the back to prevent movement
- The fur has a very soft, silky feel
Cons
- This rug should not be placed in the dryer
nuLOOM Iraida Rug — Honorable Mention
This cowhide-shaped rug has an animal-print-style pattern with some unique gold paint splatter and speckles trickled throughout. Made from synthetic materials, this faux rug is also soft underfoot, durable, and built to last.
Pros
- This rug comes in three different color options
- Soft fabric will not shed
Cons
- This rug does not have a non-slip backing
Rostyle Rug — Most Unique Pattern
If you prefer a brown and white rug, this unique cowhide option makes a great accent piece in any room. It will fit in with a wide range of decor styles such as rustic, antique, western, and Mediterranean and is made from high-quality materials for a long life span. This rug also has a nonslip backing and comes in three different sizes.
Pros
- This rug comes in three different sizes to fit any room
- Has a unique pattern unlike other faux cowhide rugs
Cons
- This rug cannot be put in the dryer
Conben Rug — Comfiest Feel
This faux cowhide rug flaunts white and brown tones that will offer any home a farmhouse, country, or rustic vibe. This rug has a low pile that is soft and odorless and comes with a non-slip rug pad underneath to prevent it from sliding or moving. It is also easy to clean and can be washed, rinsed, and dried in a fast amount of time.
Pros
- This rug can withstand the use of a vacuum cleaner
- Features a non-slip pad underneath
Cons
- There is only one size option
MustMat Rug — Most Traditional Pattern
This durable faux cowhide rug is great for high traffic areas as it protects against wear, tear, and pets. This rug is super soft and has a unique color pattern that will stand out in any room. Ideal for smaller rooms, this rug will look great layered on top of a larger rug, under a desk, or as a unique entryway piece.
Pros
- This rug comes with a rubber grip on the back to prevent slipping and movement
- It is easy to wash and maintain
Cons
- There is only one color option
Buying Guide: Faux Cowhide Rugs
While not everybody can agree on the use of hiding in modern furniture, it’s hard to dispute the beauty of cowhide rugs. Learn more about the top faux cowhide rugs in 2024 in this short buyer’s guide.
What Are Faux Cowhide Rugs?
For many centuries, rugs have often been made out of the pelts and hides of animals. Be it bear, tiger, cow, or anything else, humans have learned the art of turning dead animal skin and hide into something they can use for themselves. And while this may have been a necessity back in the day, many people now realize how cruel this treatment of animals really is.
If you’re someone who doesn’t support the idea of using animals in the production of things such as rugs, bags, and the like, then you’ll probably like faux materials. “Faux” is French for fake, and it’s used to describe alternatives to leather, hide, and rugs. Faux cowhide rugs are one such example of this faux movement.
Why Do You Need a Faux Cowhide Rug?
They’re cruelty-free
The whole point of using faux leather is to make an alternative to leather that doesn’t involve the use of animals. There are multiple benefits to this (which we’ll get into in a minute), but the main reason many people buy faux rugs, bags, and other animal items is that they’re cruelty-free. Unlike authentic rugs and bags, which do require the killing of animals for their skin and hide, this does not happen with faux leather and rugs.
Faux materials are made out of synthetic components that simply imitate the look and feel of the genuine article. For those who prefer traditional leather, it may not be their cup of tea due to these minute yet clear differences. But for those who are fine with any type of leather, it may be worth considering the switch to faux as it lessens the demand for animals to be killed for goods.
They’re cheaper than the real deal
Another benefit to faux rugs that’s a lot more practical and economical is the fact that they’re actually cheaper than regular hide rugs. You see, to get a rug from an animal, you have to skin the entire animal. And since it’s quite costly to raise cows and other livestock, a single rug can cost you a lot of money. If you like the look of the rug but don’t have the budget, getting an authentic rug can be next to impossible.
That’s why faux rugs are so great. They don’t just help lessen the need to kill animals, they’re also more affordable. You won’t need to save up nearly as much money, and you’ll be getting that new rug you’ve always wanted without having to wait for so long.
They’re easily washable
Finally, a little side-benefit to faux rugs. Thanks to their synthetic make-up, faux rugs are generally machine washable. You can toss them into the washing machine and they’ll be fine on their own. Of course, if you want to keep your rug as clean and in as good of a condition as possible, you’ll probably be better off handwashing it, but at least there’s an option for you if you’re busy or are feeling a little lazy.
Things to Consider When Buying a Faux Cowhide Rug
Rug size
Thanks to the nature of faux rugs, you aren’t limited anymore by the size of the cow. You don’t need to hope that the manufacturer finds a big cow to make a large rug with. Faux fur rugs can be made in many different shapes and sizes, and this is great because the layout of each home’s living room differs from house to house.
The most common place people usually install their rugs is by the living room in front of couches and a fire pit if you have one. The rug should be able to cover a good portion of that empty space, though it shouldn’t touch the couches, either. Leave a little bit of extra room for the tiles to show, and you’ve got the ideal size for your rug.
Pattern
Just as there are different breeds of cows with various spot patterns, faux cowhide has many different imitations of those hides. The patterns of faux rugs can vary a lot, and you can technically even make patterns that don’t exist in live cows as you’re using synthetic components. And if you ever feel like cowhide doesn’t feel as luxurious, you can even get prints and patterns of other, more exotic rugs instead, such as those from big cats like tigers and leopards.
The classic pattern for a cowhide rug is blotched black and white, but you don’t have to limit yourself to just that. You can find all sorts of patterns for cowhide rugs alone, so be sure to browse thoroughly to see if anything catches your fancy.
