How to Hang a Cowhide on a Wall
A cowhide doesn’t have to live on the floor.
Hanging a cowhide or cowskin on the wall can turn it into a striking piece of natural artwork. You get all the colour, markings and texture of the hide, but displayed vertically where you can really appreciate it.
It works especially well above a sofa, behind a bed, in a hallway or on a large wall that feels a little empty.
Your room needed something less square. 🐄
The key is choosing a hanging method that supports the hide properly without unnecessarily damaging the leather or the wall.
Can You Hang a Cowhide on a Wall?
Absolutely.
A genuine cowskin rug is relatively lightweight compared with many traditional rugs, which makes it well suited to wall hanging.
Because every natural cowhide has its own shape, colours and markings, it works beautifully as a piece of wall art.
Good places to hang one include:
- Above a sofa
- Over a bed or headboard
- On a stairway wall
- Behind a desk
- Above a sideboard
- In an entrance hall
- On a large feature wall
✨ Designer Tip: Cowhides work particularly well in rooms filled with straight lines and square furniture. Their natural shape softens the space and makes it feel more relaxed.
Which Way Up Should a Cowhide Hang?
There is no strict rule.
Most people hang a cowhide with the narrower neck section towards the top and the wider body below.
However, hanging one horizontally can work beautifully above a sofa, bed or long sideboard.
Before fixing anything to the wall, hold the hide in position and try a few different angles.
Better still, ask someone else to hold it while you stand back.
Interior designers spend a surprising amount of time saying, “A little higher… no, back down.”
Nobody escapes this process.
What Is the Best Way to Hang a Cowhide Without Damaging It?
If protecting both the cowhide and the wall is your priority, start with a method that avoids piercing the leather.
Option 1: Removable Picture-Hanging Strips
For smaller and lighter hides, good-quality removable hanging strips can work well.
Avoid sticking strong adhesive directly onto the leather if possible. Instead, use a suitable fabric or protective attachment point between the strip and the hide.
Use several fixing points across the top and sides so the weight is spread evenly.
This method is useful because it can be:
- Low damage
- Easy to reposition
- Suitable for rented homes
- Hidden behind the hide
Always check the manufacturer's weight limits and make sure the strips are suitable for your wall finish.
Option 2: Hook-and-Loop Hanging Systems
A hook-and-loop system can also work well because it spreads support across a wider area.
One side attaches to the wall, while the other is connected to a suitable backing or support on the hide.
This can help the cowhide sit neatly against the wall and makes it easier to remove later.
Option 3: A Wooden Hanging Rail
For a larger or heavier cowhide, a slim wooden rail is one of the strongest options.
The rail is fixed to the wall, then the hide is supported using clips or a suitable backing rather than being pierced.
This spreads the weight across a larger area and gives a neat finish.
It does require a few wall fixings, but usually fewer than attaching the hide directly around its entire edge.
Option 4: Rug or Quilt Hanging Clips
Purpose-made rug, textile or quilt clips are another useful option.
Choose clips with smooth surfaces and avoid anything with sharp teeth that could mark the leather.
Place several clips along the upper section of the hide so the weight is evenly supported.
🏡 Designer Tip: If the clips are visible, choose attractive black, brass or timber fittings and make them part of the design.
Option 5: A Decorative Rod
A timber or metal rod can create a more relaxed, decorative look.
Use soft loops or suitable clips to support the cowhide rather than passing the rod through the leather.
This works especially well in bedrooms, studies and more informal living spaces.
Can You Use Nails to Hang a Cowhide?
Yes.
Small nails are one of the simplest and most traditional ways to hang a cowhide on a wall.
Place several fine nails around the outer edge of the hide so the weight is evenly supported.
The downside is that each nail creates a small hole in the leather.
If you are happy with that, nails can be a perfectly practical option.
Just avoid pulling the hide too tightly. It should follow its natural shape rather than being stretched flat like a drum.
Can You Staple a Cowhide to the Wall?
You can, but I would only use staples for a permanent display.
Staples hold a cowhide securely, but they pierce the leather and can be awkward to remove neatly.
If you may want to use the hide as a rug again later, choose a less permanent method.
Your future self will thank you.
Should You Glue a Cowhide to the Wall?
I wouldn’t.
Strong glue can damage the leather, the wall or both.
It can also make removing the hide extremely difficult.
There are far better ways to hang a cowskin, so permanent adhesive is best avoided.
Nobody wants that drama.
How Many Fixing Points Does a Cowhide Need?
The answer depends on the size and weight of the hide.
The important thing is to spread the weight across several points.
A large cowhide should not hang from one or two fixings at the top.
Using multiple supports helps protect the leather and also allows the hide to sit more naturally on the wall.
Should a Cowhide Be Stretched Flat?
No.
Cowhides are natural products and they are not perfectly symmetrical.
Allow the hide to follow its natural shape.
Trying to pull every edge completely flat can put unnecessary tension on the leather and often looks less natural anyway.
🐄 Let the cowhide behave like a cowhide.
How High Should You Hang a Cowhide?
Treat it much like oversized artwork.
The visual centre of the cowskin should usually sit around eye level, although this depends on the furniture below it.
Above a Sofa
Keep enough space between the sofa and the hide so they do not feel crowded, but avoid hanging it so high that the two look disconnected.
Above a Bed
A large cowhide can make a striking alternative to framed artwork.
Make sure the mounting is secure, particularly above furniture where people sit or sleep.
Above a Sideboard
This is one of my favourite placements.
A cowhide above a timber sideboard or console creates a lovely mix of natural materials.
Add a lamp, a few ceramics and perhaps a plant.
Very chic. Very natural. Very good decision. 🤎
Can You Hang a Cowhide Over Wallpaper?
Yes, but take care with the fixing method.
Removable adhesive strips can sometimes damage delicate wallpaper when removed.
In some cases, a small number of proper wall fixings may actually cause less visible damage than adhesive pulling away the wallpaper surface.
Always test removable products somewhere inconspicuous first.
Where Should You Avoid Hanging a Cowhide?
A cowhide is genuine leather, so avoid:
- Damp walls
- Very humid rooms
- Areas with regular condensation
- Strong direct sunlight for long periods
A dry living room, bedroom, dining room, hallway or study is usually ideal.
☀️ A bright room is fine. Just avoid giving your cowhide a permanent front-row seat in intense midday sun.
Can You Take a Wall-Hung Cowhide Down Again?
Yes, particularly if you use clips, rails or removable fixing systems.
That flexibility is one of the nice things about decorating with natural skins.
A cowhide can start life on the wall and later move:
- Onto the floor
- Over a large chair
- Into a bedroom
- Into a study
- On top of another rug
It is a very adaptable piece of interior design.
Designer Tips for Styling a Cowhide as Wall Art
Give It Space
A large cowhide usually looks best when it has room around it.
You do not need to surround it with lots of small artwork.
Let the shape and markings do the work.
Use Contrast
Brown-and-white cowhides look beautiful against colours such as:
- Warm off-white
- Deep green
- Soft beige
- Charcoal
- Muted clay
Black-and-white hides can look especially striking against warm neutral walls.
Repeat a Few Colours
You do not need to match everything.
Instead, pick one or two colours from the hide and repeat them elsewhere in the room.
A brown marking might connect with a leather chair. Black markings might tie in with picture frames or lighting.
That is enough.
A good room whispers its connections rather than shouting them.
Add Natural Materials
Cowhide works beautifully alongside:
- Oak
- Walnut
- Linen
- Wool
- Leather
- Stone
- Natural fibres
These textures help create a room that feels warm and layered rather than overly decorated.
Should I Hang My Cowhide or Use It as a Rug?
Both can look fantastic.
If you need texture underfoot, use it as a rug.
If you already have a floor rug but a large wall feels empty, hanging the cowhide can be a brilliant alternative.
It is also a lovely way to show off a particularly striking hide.
Every natural cowhide is unique. We photograph our own cowhides individually, so the hide shown in the photographs is the hide the customer receives.
Its markings, colour variations and natural imperfections are what make it interesting in the first place.
What Is the Best Overall Method?
If preserving the cowhide is your priority, choose a method that supports rather than pierces the leather.
My preferred options are:
- Removable hanging strips for lighter hides and rental properties
- Hook-and-loop systems for a neat, removable display
- A wooden rail with textile clips for larger hides
- Decorative rods and clips where the fixing becomes part of the design
Small nails are still a practical traditional option if you do not mind tiny holes in the leather.
Staples are better for permanent displays.
And glue?
Leave it in the drawer.
Final Thoughts
Hanging a cowhide on the wall is an unusual way to display one, and that is precisely why it works so well.
Instead of another rectangular print or canvas, you get something natural, textured and completely individual.
Choose a fixing method that suits the size of your hide, spread the weight across several points and avoid putting unnecessary strain on the leather.
Then stand back and enjoy it.
A genuine cowskin brings warmth, texture and character wherever you put it, and sometimes the best place for a rug isn’t on the floor at all. 🐄✨
If you're looking for contrast, why not pair your Cowskin Rug with a Natural Plant Fibre Rug such as one from The Natural Rug Company. They have a range of Sisal Rugs that look fantastic, you can even opt for Leather Borders as a nod to the other Leather accents in the room.
