There's a morning every fall when you get out of bed and the floor is cold for the first time. It's a small shock, and it's the moment most people start searching for ways to make the bedroom cozier.
The easiest answer is a sheepskin beside the bed. Your feet land on it first. It's soft, warm and immediately makes a room feel like fall. It's also one of the cheapest ways to add real texture to a bedroom.
Where to put it
The whole point is that your feet hit it first, so place it on the side of the bed you get out of, with about a third of it tucked under the bed frame. The rest should extend out into the room.
If two people share the bed, one on each side. Or a larger double or quad sheepskin at the foot, running across the width of the bed.
Real or faux?
Real sheepskin is warmer, softer and naturally regulates temperature. It resists dirt and odor better than you'd expect and lasts for decades. It's also more expensive, usually $80 to $200 for a single pelt.
Faux sheepskin is cheaper, $30 to $80, and machine washable, which is useful with kids or pets. The best faux versions look very close from a few feet away, though they mat faster.
Both look good. Choose based on your budget and how much you want to clean it.
Layer it on another rug
A sheepskin on top of a flat-weave wool or jute rug looks deliberately layered. The contrast between the flat, woven base and the long, shaggy wool adds texture and depth.
Beyond the floor
Sheepskins aren't only rugs:
- Over a chair: drape one over a wooden or cane chair for instant comfort.
- On a bench: at the foot of the bed.
- As a bed topper, laid across the foot of the bed over the duvet.
Colors
- Ivory or cream: the classic. Goes with everything.
- Natural brown or mocha: warmer and more rustic, great in a brown bedroom.
- Gray: cooler, better in modern or Scandinavian rooms.
For a fall bedroom with rust and oatmeal bedding, cream or natural brown is best.
Styling the rest of the fall bedroom
A sheepskin is one piece in a cozy fall bedroom. Pair it with:
- Layered bedding in rust, oatmeal and cream.
- A heavy cable knit blanket.
- Candles on the nightstand.
- Something dried, like orange physalis in a small vase.
What to look for when buying
For real sheepskin:
- Wool length: 2 to 4 inches is the sweet spot for a soft, plush feel that doesn't mat.
- Leather backing: should be soft and flexible, not stiff or papery.
- Tanning: look for chrome-free or eco-tanned if you care about how it's made.
- Source: New Zealand and Australian sheepskins are widely available and good quality.
For faux:
- Pile density: the denser, the more convincing and the slower it mats.
- Backing: a suede-like backing with non-slip dots keeps it in place on wood floors.
- Care label: confirm it's machine washable before buying.
How to clean a real sheepskin
- Shake it out outside once a week.
- Brush it with a wire pet brush to keep the wool fluffy.
- Spot clean spills right away with cold water and a little wool wash.
- Wash rarely, by hand in cold water with wool detergent, then dry flat in the shade. Never tumble dry; it'll shrink and harden.
Most real sheepskins only need a full wash once a year.
How to clean a faux sheepskin
Most faux sheepskins are machine washable on a cold, gentle cycle. Air dry, then brush with a soft brush to fluff the fibers. Avoid heat.
Mistakes to avoid
- A tiny sheepskin in a big room. Use a double or quad for large spaces.
- Placing it where people walk all day. It'll mat quickly. Bedside is ideal.
- Tumble drying. Ruins real sheepskin.
- Gray sheepskin in a warm room. Cream or brown suits warm schemes better.
Sheepskin rug bedroom FAQ
Where should a sheepskin rug go in a bedroom?
Beside the bed, on the side you get out of, partly tucked under the frame.
Is real sheepskin better than faux?
Real is warmer and longer lasting. Faux is cheaper and machine washable.
Can I wash a sheepskin rug?
Real sheepskin by hand in cold water with wool wash, rarely. Faux on a cold gentle cycle.
Do sheepskin rugs shed?
Real ones shed a little at first, then settle. Brushing helps.
