The clocks haven’t even gone back yet, but I’ve well and truly moved into hibernation mode.
I love this time of year. There’s always one evening in October when you draw the curtains at six, light the fire for the first time and the whole house changes. It gets quieter and smaller, in the nicest way.
Suddenly the sofa is more tempting than anything in the diary. If you’ve ever quietly hoped a Friday night dinner would get cancelled so you could stay in, you’ll know exactly what I mean. It’s not that we don’t love our friends. It’s just dark at five, it’s cold out there, and the sofa is right here.
Sunday evenings are my favourite. Fire lit, something relaxing on the TV, nicely full from an early dinner. Someone squeezes up next to me under a sheepskin. The dog wanders in and tries his luck.
So before the clocks change, I get the sofa ready.
How I make our sofa cosy for winter
1. Sheepskins first
I always start with the back and arms. It’s where we lean, and it’s where a sofa starts to look tired first. A Double Long-Hair Sheepskin Rug runs along the back of ours, with a single sheepskin over each arm. I tuck the top edge down behind the back cushions so it doesn’t slide about.
They have a second job too. Between hair products, crumbs and a dog who thinks the rules don’t apply to him, our sofa would look very different without them. It’s my ultimate home styling secret. Sheepskin naturally repels dirt, so it needs far less looking after than you’d think.
2. A lumbar cushion to lean on
Next comes something firm across the middle: our Large Short-Hair Sheepskin Rectangle Cushion. It’s what you sink back into when you finally sit down for the night. Your back will thank you two episodes in.
3. The softest ones last
Then come the cushions everyone fights over. The new Long-Hair Sheepskin Cushions arrived this autumn, and in our house they get grabbed first, every single time.
You can never have too many cushions, but I like to mix them up. I put long wool next to short, curly sheepskin with a plain linen one in between, so the sofa feels lived in rather than fluffy.
4. A pouffe within reach
There’s nothing worse than getting comfy and realising your tea is on the other side of the room. Our Round Shearling Pouffe sits right by the sofa. Most evenings my feet are on it. When they’re not, a wooden board goes on top and it’s a side table for two mugs. It’s soft curly shearling on the outside with a solid frame inside, so it doubles as an extra seat by the fire.
5. Fire lit, slippers on
Then the best bit. Light the fire, or a few beeswax candles if you don’t have one. Put the kettle on, make tea in your favourite mug and pull your slipper boots on. Then pull in whoever’s nearest for a cuddle, whether that’s children, partner or dog.
That’s it. You’re in for the night.
A sheepskin rug in front of the fire
Our floorboards are beautiful in summer and freezing by November. A Quatro Sheepskin Rug in front of the fire changes the whole room. It’s four full sheepskins (approx. 190 x 120cm) with long, deep wool, and it’s big enough to sit on with your back against the sofa. Just lay it a little back from the hearth, well clear of any sparks.
Looking after sheepskin
- Shake it outside every week or two, and brush long wool with a wide-toothed comb or a detangling hairbrush.
- Blot spills straight away rather than rubbing, and let it dry naturally, away from the fire.
- When it needs a proper clean, take it to a professional dry cleaner.
A few questions I get asked
What size sheepskin do I need for the back of a sofa?
A double (approx. 190 x 60cm) runs the length of most three-seaters. A single (approx. 95 x 60cm) suits an arm or an armchair. The Quatro (approx. 190 x 120cm) covers the back and seat in one, or works as a floor rug.
How do I stop it slipping off?
Tuck the top edge down between the back cushions and the frame, then sit your cushions on top.
Does sheepskin protect a sofa?
Yes. It takes the wear your upholstery would otherwise take, and it’s a far cheaper way to rescue a tired sofa than reupholstering.
Is sheepskin too warm to use all year?
No. Wool breathes, so it’s warm in winter but never heavy in summer. Ours stay out all year round.
See you in the spring
Well, not quite. But you know what I mean.
Wishing you a cosy autumn.
Ayshea x
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