5 Fresh Ways to Use a Faux Sheepskin Rug in Your Home

Source: Unsplash/ Clarisse Meyer

As cold weather approaches, you rightfully seek refuge in warm jackets, long sleeves, and scarvesEqually important: You layer up the surfaces in your home, which calls for cable-knit blankets, rich velvet pillows, and most of all faux sheepskin rugs (or the real thing). In short: all the stuff hygge dreams are made of.

Creating a cozy environment can help to transform your room into a luxe sanctuary, and the fabrics you choose for your home (such as a nice fluffy rug) can have a big impact. One study published in The Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that touching soft fabrics brought about "peaceful" feelings, which is exactly why it's important to surround yourself with these textures come fall and winter.

“Sheepskin rugs are great for adding warmth, texture, and visual interest,” says Hayley Ayres, a designer at Etc.Etera, the new Los Angeles-based design firm founded by celeb-loved Sally Breer.

And they have oh-so-many uses: Layer one to make other textures pop or even to soften the edges of harder pieces of furniture. From out-of-the-box ideas to more straightforward applications, Ayres offers up her tips on how to give your home the warm fuzzies here.

Keep scrolling for major hygge inspiration.

Add a sheepskin your seating area

Rather than having a sheepskin lounging on the floor, try placing it over the side of your furniture. “Layering a sheepskin over a sofa or armchair is an easy way to incorporate texture to your living room,” says Ayres.

Layer up

You can also layer a sheepskin over a natural fiber rug to make each piece pop,” Ayres says. If you’re looking for a more colorful combo or bohemian look, she adds that,  “sheepskin rugs also pair nicely with vintage Kilim rugs. Layering these pieces together makes a space feel more styled and lived in.”

Upholster with it

You've probably seen sheepskin pillows, but you can actually also upholster bigger pieces as well. “A more creative option would be to upholster a chair or seat cushion in sheepskin,” Ayres says. “We recently reupholstered the seat cushion of a Lucite chair in sheepskin and it turned out amazing.”

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It's for the dogs

Sheepskin rugs also make for cute dog beds,” Ayres adds. Consider using one in your pup's snooze zone.

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Soften up the edges

“Sheepskins also look really nice when draped over dining chairs and benches. They make harder pieces of furniture appear softer and more cozy,” Ayres says. If you’re looking to buy a sheepskin rug, Ayres suggest checking out Chairish or One Kings Lane. See you next summer.

If you're spending so much time indoors, think about giving your coffee table and energetic makeover and then grab a turmeric elixir and curl up for the night.

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