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11 Tips for Buying a Cowhide
These days, cowhides are appearing more and more frequently in home interiors. No wonder, since they’re a beautiful addition to your home. They bring a unique, warm, cozy, and luxurious look. As a result, you’ll also see the number of suppliers and the variety of choices increasing. There are various stores where you can buy top-quality cowhides, but there are even more that offer poor or mediocre quality. But how do you know if you’re buying a top-quality cowhide or one of poor or mediocre quality? The decision is often based on color and price; while these are important criteria when choosing your new cowhide, it’s also important to consider other factors during your research and purchase. We’d be happy to explain what those criteria are and what you should look out for.
In this blog:
- Were the cowhides photographed individually?
- Which size of cowhide fits best in your interior?
- Go for a nice, symmetrical cowhide
- Choose the color that best suits your interior and taste
- The thickness of cowhide
- Ask about or search for the origin of the cowhides
- The tanning of cowhide
- Determine the budget for your cowhide
- Can you take a look on location?
- Does the cowhide have patches, stitching, or other repairs?
- Buy only from retailers with a reputable seal of approval
Were the cowhides photographed individually?
Have you finally found the cowhide of your dreams after a long search? Then, of course, you’d like to receive the one shown in the photo—not a look-alike or something completely different.
Unlike some other online stores, we photograph each cowhide individually. We also always take a number of close-ups so you can get a good idea of the color and details. Every hide we sell also has a unique number. This way, you can be 100% sure that you’ll always receive the exact cowhide shown in the photo.
Which size of cowhide fits best in your interior?
Would you like to place a cowhide in your living room or bedroom? If so, it’s important to pay close attention to the size. An XL (XXL) cowhide can be up to 265 cm long, while an XS cowhide starts at about 140 cm in length. For example, a large cowhide can look absolutely stunning in a medium- to large-sized room but may not stand out as well in a smaller space. Questions you can ask yourself to determine the right size of cowhide include: What exactly do I want to do with the cowhide? Will I use it as a rug? Will I drape it over the couch? Or will I use it as wall decor? Will the hide be completely exposed? Or is it okay for it to extend slightly under the sofa or other furniture? (This often creates the most beautiful effect.) Or how big is the table under which you want to place the cowhide?
To help you make a better choice, we have categorized our cowhides into different sizes:
We measure all hides individually and list these measurements with each cowhide. We measure from the neck to the hindquarters and from the left hind leg to the right hind leg. Before placing your order, you can easily measure the area where you plan to use the hide at home with a tape measure. This way, you can be sure that the cowhide you want will fit well in the space.
Go for a nice, symmetrical cowhide
A cowhide is a real eye-catcher in your space, which is why, in our view, it should also have a beautiful symmetrical shape. A beautiful symmetrical shape tells us that the tannery paid close attention and took the time to create an exceptionally beautiful piece. The cowhides are stretched to prevent wrinkles and ensure they lie nice and flat when in use. The edges are then trimmed by hand to ensure there are no rough edges or frayed parts left. Of course, you can also trim or cut it yourself, but you’d probably prefer to place the cowhide directly where you want it, right?
Choose the color that best suits your interior and taste
Cowhides are truly unique natural products, which is why they come in many different sizes and colors. Color is one of the first aspects people consider when searching for the perfect cowhide.
Would you prefer a traditional black-and-white cowhide or something just a little more exclusive, like a champagne-colored cowhide? To make the right choice, it’s a good idea to carefully consider the colors of the room where you plan to place the cowhide beforehand.
Would you like an eye-catching cowhide and do you have a somewhat darker room? Then a light-colored cowhide is sure to stand out. Or perhaps you’d prefer to keep it a bit more subtle and understated? In that case, you can opt for a color that matches your furniture.
Be open to other colors as well, because sometimes a color you might not have immediately considered can pleasantly surprise you and be the perfect match for your interior. In fact, we regularly have people visit us with the idea of a traditional black-and-white or gray cowhide, but they end up choosing a completely different color—with a truly beautiful result.
The thickness of cowhide
When you want to buy a cowhide, it’s important to choose one with a good leather thickness. Very thin hides will wear out faster because they simply can’t handle as much wear and tear. A cowhide that’s too thin can cause various problems, such as the edges curling up quickly, which could cause you to trip over it. Unfortunately, curled edges are difficult to flatten, as the hide gradually loses its suppleness. Additionally, hair loss can occur more quickly if the hide is used as a cowhide rug. Only very cheap cowhides will be thin.
On the other hand, the leather shouldn’t be too thick either. If the leather is too thick, you can’t always use the cowhide properly. Just as cowhide that’s too thin can pose a tripping hazard due to curled edges, cowhide that’s too thick can cause you to get caught on the edge.
The correct thickness of the leather is therefore of great importance. The leather should not be too thick or too thin. High-quality cowhides typically have a leather thickness of approximately 3 to 4 mm. *The thickness of the hide can vary by cattle breed as well as by the location where it is measured. For example, the hide around the legs and armpits is thinner than, say, on the neck or belly.
Ask about or search for the origin of the cowhides
The highest-quality cowhides come from South America. Specifically from the land of soccer and carnival—namely, Brazil. The country has over 250 tanneries. Due to their top quality, they are often slightly more expensive. Brazil also produces a great deal of further-processed leather, for example, for shoes, bags, furniture, etc.
Our cowhides come from Brazil and can be identified by the stamp on the back that reads “Made in Brazil” or “Brazil.” That’s how you know it’s a genuine Brazilian cowhide.
The tanning of cowhide
Brazil alone has over 250 tanneries, but Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina also have a significant number of tanneries. Although every tannery strives to preserve leather, there are significant differences in the tanning process. These include the raw materials used and the amount of time the cowhide is given to properly absorb the substances. The tanning process takes several days, depending on the method used. Cheaper cowhides are tanned using a different method and as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this does not benefit the quality. It is very difficult to recognize high-quality tanning with the naked eye, even for experts. We work exclusively with high-quality tanneries to ensure consistent, high-quality results.
Determine the budget for your cowhide
After color, price is the second most important factor when purchasing a cowhide. After all, it has to fit within your budget. Due to the wide variety of options, prices vary greatly. And when it comes to animal hides, the saying “cheap is expensive” certainly applies. A high-quality cowhide is simply a little more expensive, but you’ll also enjoy it much more and for much longer.
We select our hides in advance by size, color, shine, shape, origin and tanning. This way you can be sure that you can always expect a quality hide.
If you’d like a smaller cowhide—for example, an XS—it will fall into a different price range compared to XXL cowhides. This is because XXL cowhides are less common. Additionally, a more common color, such as brown and white, will also be more affordable than something more unique, like all-white or champagne.
To make your choice easy, we have classified our skins by price:
Can you take a look on location?
Also, always check if the provider has a physical address where you can view the skins and furs. Especially if you still have doubts or just want to see them in real-life, a visit can be nice. That way you can experience and judge the quality of the skins yourself. In addition, you can ask the retailer for advice directly.
If you’d like to come take a look at our selection, please contact us by email or phone. We operate by appointment only so that we can take the time to help you find the perfect cowhide.
Does the cowhide have patches, stitching, or other repairs?
The fewer patches and stitches, the more beautiful the cowhide. However, scars and/or cuts may occur during the animal’s lifetime due to barbed wire or the processing, among other things. These are then patched with a small piece of leather or stitched on the reverse side so that little to nothing is visible on the front. Sometimes you’ll also see hides that have a brand mark. Branding is usually done by the farmer to prevent theft of his livestock. This is not damage to the hide but an authentic characteristic. It’s a normal feature and occurs regularly.
We strive to select cowhides for you that contain as little stitching or patches as possible. Of course, it’s possible that a cowhide may still have patches that we overlooked during the selection process. If we believe that patches are somewhat visible on the front, we always mention this and include a close-up photo. After all, a well-repaired spot can last for years without any problems.
Buy only from retailers with a reputable seal of approval
As you have been able to read, there are many factors to consider. Fortunately, we select on many criteria in advance so you only have to look at what color you would like and what budget you want to spend.
We’ve already discussed the growing number of sellers and lower-quality cowhides. Therefore, always check carefully whether a seller is affiliated with a quality assurance certification such as WebwinkelKeur or Thuiswinkel Waarborg. These organizations enforce strict standards regarding quality, regulations, and legislation, providing you with extra assurance. For example, retailers affiliated with the aforementioned quality seals must always be clear and transparent about costs, offer the option to pay after delivery, provide complaint mediation (if necessary), and allow a minimum 14-day cooling-off period (we offer a 30-day cooling-off period). In addition, you can also read the reviews that customers have written about the retailer.
With over 620 unique reviews and a 9.7 average, I am secretly proud and grateful that we can offer you so much beauty. =)
We hope we’ve been able to give you a better understanding of what to look for when buying cowhide.
Do you need help choosing your new cowhide?
Would you like a new cowhide but are having trouble deciding, and would you like some extra help and advice? I’d be happy to assist you with any questions you may have. That way, you can make an informed choice and select the cowhide that perfectly suits your wishes and needs. You can contact me at +31 6 17521363 (during business hours), send an email, or stop by in Boxmeer, the Netherlands (by appointment only) to see them in person.