For centuries sheepskins have been used to decorate the home. They are not just a functional, health-giving item, but also add warmth, texture and a touch of luxury to any style of interior. They're also incredibly versatile, with an abundance of ways they can be used to elevate an interior. Today we're looking at just some of the ways to decorate your home with sheepskin .

In front of the fireplace

Historically, sheepskin has been used as the main material for a hearth rug. This is not just to give you or your pet comfort as you lie by the fire, but also because they are by their own organic nature very difficult to burn. When a spark flies out of the open fire and lands on a skin a well tanned sheepskin the fleece will just singe, let off a fine plume of smoke where the spark has landed - with none of the danger of a man-made, more flammable rug that may be made with plastic fibres.

In the hallway

Placing a sheepskin in a hallway or entrance hall brings in warmth and texture to a sometimes cold and vacant space, turning it into a very inviting entrance to any home. Sheepskin runners work very well and are very inviting in long hallways for the same reason.

Draped over furniture

Using a sheepskin as a chair or sofa cover is not exactly a new trend but seems to be an enduring one, especially with the current popularity of Scandinavian style interiors. In fact now here at The Fabulous Fleece Company, a large percentage of our sheepskin rugs go to cover chairs and sofas in the living room.

Its not just that it looks beautiful and inviting to display a sheepskin this way; it also offers warmth with its insulating and temperature regulating properties, wicking moisture away from your skin and circulating air at the same time.

They look great thrown over dining chairs as well as foot stools adding that extra piece of comfort.

Layering over existing rugs

A more unusual approach that may not instantly come to mind is to layer a sheepskin rug over another rug. This gives a creative, bohemian look, especially if the underlying floor is wood or stone. If you like your interiors free-spirited and artistic, it may be an option that is perfect for you. This approach is often used in older properties to soften the natural building materials. It works particularly well to layer a sheepskin rug over a larger, more minimalistic rug.

On the wall

If you are looking to explore ways to display a sheepskin without using it as a rug or throw, mounting it on the wall is an option, just as you would do for wall art. This is one of the more unexpected ways of using sheepskin, but is very effective at warming up a space - and there are some beautiful examples of the more decorative and individually marked sheepskins displayed in this manner.

As a bed throw

The bed is normally the key piece of furniture in the room, so having your sheepskin on the bed itself helps to really make the bed a feature, as well as show off the beauty of the sheepskin itself. A double, or even better, a quad sheepskin throw draped across the bottom of the bed looks particularly fabulous and also keeps you totally toasty on the coldest of nights.

Next to the bed

There can be few things better than sinking your toes into a supersoft sheepskin. The wool is a sensory treat for your feet, which makes a great way to start the day when you first get up or to finish it just before you slip into bed at night. That's why a sheepskin makes the ideal bedside rug.

You could place a large single sheepskin half way down the bedside, however given the length of a bed and the floor space around it, a great option is a double sheepskin sewn end to end to create a longer, narrower shape that's ideal for placing alongside.

It depends on the size and layout of your bedroom, but if you have ample space at the foot of the bed, place your sheepskin on the floor there. It looks particularly great if that's the floor area you see as you first walk in.

A sheepskin also works brilliantly on top of an ottoman, blanket box or bench if you have once of those at the bottom of the bed - it draws the eye and also creates a more comfortable seat for perching on.

In the bathroom

Bathrooms can be cold and clinical places, but are easily warmed up by the placing of a sheepskin rug Sheepskin naturally repels water and will quickly dry, so placing as a bathmat or just to stand on by the sink gives extra comfort and warmth to the room while adding texture and a sense of cosiness.

In the children's room

Babies, toddlers and young children love to seek out comfort, whether it’s a hug from their parents or snuggling up to their favourite soft blanket. So the tactile and supportive nature of sheepskin makes it a very appealing material for little ones to use and enjoy as they grow.

Practicality is always a primary concern when considering any item for your child. So sheepskins’ practical qualities such as aiding temperature regulation, being dirt resistant, flame resistant and even reducing the risk of children developing allergies are very useful too.

Sheepskins are a soft surface for both rest and play, whatever the child’s age. The silky, malleable texture is great for babies and toddlers to explore and also rest upon - as a mat for when using their play gym, for example.

For older children who love sprawling on floors sheepskin rugs can provide a softer surface to relax upon, while playing or reading.

Add natural tones to a nursery

Whether you opt for a more neutral coloured nursery, or something more gender specific, sheepskins come in a range of tones the light creams and greys that fit well with most decor schemes. The texture also adds softness which really suits the nursery environment.

Then there’s the aesthetic appeal, making sheepskins a great addition to a beautiful nursery.

Give extra cushioning to a nursing chair

Whether it's in the baby's nursery or in your own, a nursing chair can be a prime spot for a sheepskin that will offer some much-needed comfort, whatever time of year. When parents need somewhere comfortable to sit and feed their baby - especially for those lengthy or frequent night feeds - a sheepskin is a great way to soften the surface of your nursing chair.

Make a cosy reading nook

One thing that can't be denied about sheepskins is their wonderful cosiness, which lends them brilliantly to a snug and restful reading nook. Along with some cushions and a selection of either your child’s favourite story books nearby, a sheepskin rug is all you need to make a welcoming reading spot in a corner of a child's bedroom - or make a homey reading nook for yourself by draping a sheepskin over a comfortable armchair, with your own favourite novels within reach.

Use as flooring for a teepee

If you are browsing Pinterest for kids bedroom decor ideas, you are sure to have come across plenty of inspiring images featuring a canvas teepee style play tent. A sheepskin makes an ideal accompaniment to this and makes the overall effect even more welcoming. Lay a sheepskin on the floor inside a teepee to make these little dens even more appealing as hideaways.

Create a rocking sheep

Perhaps one of our favourite ways to introduce a sheepskin into a child's life is to make a fun play thing with it - a rocking sheep! A great alternative to a rocking horse, with the added tactile appeal that sheepskin can give.

We so love this idea and a few of our customers have actually done it - you can see some examples on our Fab Fleece Fan board.

In an office

A sheepskin can solve the conundrum of having a chair that looks stylish in your home office (often in a multi-purpose space) but is also comfortable enough to work from.

Typical office chairs are the most comfortable ones for long periods of sitting - but they’re also ugly beasts that look totally out of place in a home setting! By covering a more standard dining or bedroom chair with a sheepskin, you can soften the hard back edge as well as seat area so you can sit comfortably there for longer.

We have so many beautiful sheepskins here at the Fabulous Fleece Company and also offer our bespoke sheepskin service where we can help you chose the right breed, shape, size and colour, no matter what your interior design preferences. You can browse our selection of sheepskin rugs today or get in touch - please contact us by email or phone, we are here to help.