Sheepskin Rug Guide: Single vs Double Pelt, Colors and Care
A single-pelt sheepskin at around 2 by 3 feet is the right size for a chair, bedside or nursery floor; a double-pelt at around 2 by 6 feet runs along the side of a bed or over a bench. Buy a natural or undyed shade for a room you want to feel calm, and a dyed color when the rug is the accent. Super Area Rugs lists both sizes in a range of natural and dyed shades, described as ethically sourced and Oeko-Tex certified.
Single pelt or double pelt
Sheepskin rugs are sold by the number of pelts sewn together, and the size follows the animal, so listings give an approximate footprint rather than an exact rectangle. A single pelt, listed at 2 by 3 feet, is the most versatile. Draped over a chair it is a seat cover; on the floor it is a soft landing spot beside a bed or crib. The Genuine Sheepskin Rug in Natural is explicitly listed as both a chair cover and an area rug for this reason.
A double pelt, listed at 2 by 6 feet, is two skins joined end to end. It suits the long side of a bed, a bench, a window seat or the floor in front of a fireplace. The Natural Champagne Cream and the Silver Gray Sheepskin Rugs are the double-pelt options in the range. Multi-pelt rugs larger than that exist, but for most rooms a double is plenty.
Choosing a color
Undyed skins come in the colors sheep come in. The Natural and Champagne Cream shades are the classic ivory sheepskin look and go with everything. Natural Gray, Gray Tips and Wolf Tips have darker tips on lighter wool, which gives depth and hides marks better than pure cream. Natural Black and Dark Brown are dramatic against a pale floor. Golden Brown and Paco Tan are warmer, honey-toned options for rooms with wood and leather.
Dyed shades such as the Beach Blue Sheepskin Rug turn the rug into an accent. They are best used where the rug is meant to be noticed, such as a nursery or a reading chair, rather than as a neutral layer.
Where a sheepskin works and where it does not
Sheepskin is at its best where feet are bare and traffic is light: beside a bed, under a desk chair, in a nursery, on a sofa or armchair. It is a poor choice for a hallway, a kitchen or a doorway, because the wool mats down under constant traffic and the skin side can slip on hard floors. On a smooth floor, a thin non-slip rug pad trimmed to the outline keeps it in place.
Listings describe these rugs as ethically sourced and Oeko-Tex certified, which speaks to the tanning process rather than to durability; treat the rug as a soft furnishing rather than a floor covering and it will last.
Care
Shake it outdoors weekly and brush the wool with a wide-toothed comb or a pet slicker brush to lift the pile. Vacuum with suction only, never a beater bar. Spot-clean spills with cold water and a little wool wash, blot, and let it dry flat away from heat; hot water or a dryer will shrink and stiffen the skin. Keep it out of direct sun, which yellows natural cream and fades dyed shades. With that routine a good single pelt stays fluffy for years.
Using one as a chair or bench cover
Half the sheepskins sold never touch the floor. Thrown over a desk chair, a dining chair or a bench, a single pelt adds warmth and softens hard seats, and it is far easier to keep clean there than underfoot. The Genuine Sheepskin Rug listing names chair cover as a use alongside area rug. For a long bench or a sofa back, the double-pelt Champagne Cream or Silver Gray lies flat without bunching. If you are buying for a nursery, a single pelt on the floor beside the crib and another over the feeding chair is a common pairing, and the natural undyed shades are the sensible choice there.
FAQ
Is a sheepskin rug real sheepskin?
The listings here are for genuine shearling pelts, described as real New Zealand or natural sheepskin. Faux versions exist elsewhere and are usually sold as such.
Can I wash a sheepskin rug?
Spot-clean only, with cold water and a wool-safe detergent, then dry flat away from heat. Machine washing risks shrinking and hardening the skin.
Will a sheepskin rug slip on wood floors?
It can. Use a thin non-slip pad cut slightly smaller than the pelt, or place it where furniture holds it in place.
More guides
- Braided Rug Buyer's Guide: Wool, Washable, Jute and Indoor-Outdoor
- Do You Need a Rug Pad? When It Matters and Which Type to Buy
- Stair Treads Buyer's Guide: Sizes, Sets, Wool vs Washable and Installation
- Small Rug Sizes Explained: 20x30, 2x3 and 3x5 for Kitchens, Entries and Bedside