Discover the different types of sheepskins and how to use them

Sheepskins have been a beloved natural product for centuries, known for their versatility and durability. But did you know that there is a surprising variety of types of sheepskin, each with unique characteristics and uses? In this blog, we explore the fascinating world of sheepskins. From the lush, soft furs that add a touch of luxury to your interior, to the rugged, hard-wearing types that are ideal for everyday use. Discover what types of sheepskins are available and how you can incorporate them into your lifestyle, whether as a stylish addition to your home decor or for practical applications in everyday life.

In this blog about the different types of sheepskins:

1. What kinds of sheepskins are there?
   1. The Texel sheepskins
   2. Icelandic sheepskins
   3. Gotland sheepskins
   4. Greenland sheepskins
   5. Scandinavian sheepskins
   6. Sheepskins with curl
   7. Medicinal sheepskins
2. What is the best way to use each type of sheepskin?
3. What are the most beautiful sheepskins for your interiors?
4. Which sheepskin is the nicest to sit on?
5. Which sheepskins are the nicest to lie on?
6. Conclusion

What kinds of sheepskins are there?

Did you know that there are more than 900 different breeds of sheep? 900! Now we don't have a sheepskin of every sheep breed in stock but each breed has its own unique characteristics also when it comes to sheepskin. Want to discover all about the different sheep breeds? Then take a look at our animal encyclopedia and read all about the different sheep breeds. Some of the most common sheepskins we are going to take a closer look at in this blog.

The Texel sheepskins

The Texel sheepskin, the name actually says it all, these sheepskins come from the Texel sheep which is mainly bred on the Dutch Wadden Island of Texel. It is known for its high quality and unique properties. These sheepskins offer both high comfort and are also a beautiful addition to your interior.

1. Comfort: Texel sheepskins are extremely comfortable thanks to their thick, medium-length and soft wool. This natural fiber offers excellent insulation, meaning the sheepskin provides warmth in winter and coolness in summer. This makes them ideal for use as rugs or as a trow-over on your sofa or chair.
2. Durability: The wool from Texel sheep is not only super soft, but also extremely strong and durable. This means that sheepskins from Texel sheep last a long time, even with regular use.
3. Aesthetics: Texel sheepskins have a natural, rustic look that fits well with many different interior styles. Whether you want a modern, minimalist look or a more traditional, cozy atmosphere, a Texel sheepskin is always a stylish addition to your interior.
4. Versatility: These furs can be used in many different ways. They can serve as a rug on your floor, as a comfort booster in your chair or on the couch, as a chair/couch trow-over, bed blanket on the footboard, hang them on your wall as a wall decoration or use them as a bed for your dog/cat. The natural colors range from traditional white and brown to fur and brown/white and everything in between, making them look great in any interior.

Icelandic sheepskins

The Icelandic sheepskin is a coat derived from the Icelandic sheep, a breed that has lived in the rugged nature of Iceland for over a thousand years. These sheepskins are known for their unique long wool and luxurious appearance. Icelandic sheepskins offer you a wide variety of natural colors making them widely used for interior decoration but also for extra comfort due to their softness:

1. Long, soft wool: Icelandic sheepskins are known for their long, soft and sometimes curly wool. This natural wool offers comfortable seating and softness, making them ideal for use as a cozy rug and as an atmospheric addition to your furniture.
2. Natural insulation: The long wool of Icelandic sheepskin provides excellent natural insulation. This means they offer warmth in the winter, while providing cooling in the summer. This makes them suitable for year-round use.
3. Unique look: Icelandic sheepskins have a distinctive and luxurious look. With their long, sometimes wavy wool, they add a natural elegance and style to any interior. Icelandic sheepskins come with a wide variety of natural colors such as white, black, brown and gray but they may also have a combination of some and even all colors.
4. Versatile for your interior: These sheepskins are very versatile and can be used in all interior styles. Whether you have a modern, Scandinavian-inspired interior or a more traditional decor, an Icelandic sheepskin will always be a wonderful, stylish addition.

Gotland sheepskins

The Gotland sheepskin comes from the Gotland sheep, a rare and ancient breed native to Sweden. They are highly sought after sheepskins in the world of interior design because of the unique and warm look they have.

1. They have a unique wool and color: Gotland sheepskins are known for their beautiful natural and compact curls and shiny wool. The color ranges from shades of white, silver gray to deep charcoal, giving a natural, elegant and sophisticated look to any interior. These curls range from fine, tight spirals to loose, wavy locks. Gotland sheepskins are mostly used for decorative purposes to create a luxurious and warm atmosphere in your interior, for example.
2. Softness and comfort: The wool of the Gotland sheepskin is not only beautiful but also extremely soft. For sitting or lying on, these fleeces are less commonly used. However, it is possible to sit on them.
3. Versatility: These sheepskins are versatile in use. For example, they can serve as a striking eye-catcher in your living room or as a subtle addition to your other interior pieces. Place a Gotland sheepskin over the railing of your sofa or chair, in front of the fireplace or place the coat on a piece of furniture for added ambiance. The natural gray tones go well with almost all color schemes and styles.

Greenland sheepskins

The Greenland sheepskin, from the Greenland breed of sheep that live in the unique and challenging environment of Greenland have a sheepskin that is somewhat in between the Icelandic coats and Gotland coats. These sheepskins, like the Gotland sheepskins, are less common:

1. Robust quality: Given the extreme weather conditions in which Greenlandic sheep live, their coats are naturally very robust and durable.
2. Warmth and comfort: You can compare the Greenland sheepskin to the Icelandic sheepskin. The Greenland sheepskins are just that little bit more striking because of their beautiful striking colors and robust looking wool, while Icelanders look a bit softer. They can be used as a rug, as a warm trow-over on a couch or bed, or over your couch and chair.
3. Natural and rustic look: Greenland sheepskins have a natural, rustic yet elegant look that goes well with a variety of interior styles, from traditional and rustic to modern. They add an element of natural beauty to any interior. The Greenland sheepskins come in different natural colors like black, white, gray and brown, often a combination of these colors and they have beautiful long natural curls.
4. Versatility for decoration: If you really want something different then go for a Greenland sheepskin. These sheepskins are a great addition to your interior. They are often used to create a cozy and warm atmosphere.

In short, Greenland sheepskins offer you a combination of natural beauty and versatility in decoration making them an excellent choice for enriching your interior.

Scandinavian sheepskins

Scandinavian sheepskins come from countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Sea are known for their high quality and beautiful, soft, natural look.

1. Natural warmth and comfort: Scandinavian sheepskins are known for their thick and super soft wool that provides excellent natural insulation. This makes them ideal for adding warmth, ambiance and comfort to your interior. They are perfect as rugs, trow-over on your on couch, chair and bed.
2. Stylish and timeless look: These sheepskins have an elegant and timeless look that suits a variety of interior styles. Whether you pursue a minimalist, modern look or a more traditional, cozy atmosphere, a Scandinavian sheepskin is a stylish addition to your interior. These Scandinavian sheepskins are less common in the Netherlands. The wool from them can be white or copper brown.
3. Versatility in use: These furs are not only functional, but also versatile. In terms of wool, they resemble the Texel sheepskins but are just a bit more refined and softer. The medium length wool makes them perfect for use as rugs and for on the couch or in your (easy) chair but you can also use them to embellish your furniture.

Scandinavian sheepskins thus offer a combination of warmth, comfort, style, and versatility making them an excellent choice for enriching any interior.

Sheepskins with curl

Curly sheepskins, such as those from Icelandic, Gotland and Greenlandic sheep, are particularly popular in interior design because of their unique wool and playful luxurious look.

1. Unique aesthetic: Curly sheepskins have a striking and luxurious appearance. The natural curls range from fine, tight spirals to loose, wavy locks, adding a dynamic and interesting atmosphere to your interior. They come in various natural colors such as white, black, brown, gray, beige and everything in between but a combination of these colors is also possible.
2. Warmth and ambience: These coats offer excellent natural insulation. Their thick, curly wool is not only beautiful but also wonderfully soft, ideal for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in any room.
3. Versatility of use: Curly sheepskins are versatile in interior design. They can be used as rugs, as decorative blankets over a sofa or chair, or even as wall decorations. They are also wonderful as upholstery on furniture for an extra luxurious feel.
4. Natural and rustic look: Curly sheepskins fit well with a variety of interior styles, from modern to country and industrial.

Medicinal sheepskins

Medicated sheepskins are most commonly used by people who sit or lie down a lot because of medical needs, but even if there is no medical need these sheepskins can be used just fine. These furs are mainly used for extra comfort and almost not for interior decoration.

1. Temperature regulation: Medicated sheepskins are natural insulators and help regulate body temperature. This is especially beneficial for people with rheumatic complaints, as it helps maintain a constant, comfortable temperature. Nice and cool in the summers and nice and warm in the winters.
2. Pressure relief: The soft, resilient structure of the sheepskin helps relieve pressure points on the body. This is especially helpful for people who are bedridden or need to sit for long periods of time, as it helps reduce bedsores and discomfort.
3. Moisture Control: Medicated sheepskin can absorb and wick away moisture, which helps keep your skin dry and comfortable. This is particularly helpful for people with skin conditions.
4. For relaxation and comfort: The natural softness and warmth of these sheepskins offer you a relaxing and comfortable feeling, which can contribute to your overall well-being and reduction of stress.

There are several ways to use medicinal sheepskins:

• As bedding: Place a medicated sheepskin on the bed to increase comfort and reduce pressure points.
• In a wheelchair: A medicated sheepskin in a wheelchair can help relieve pressure points and provide more comfort especially if you are in the wheelchair for longer periods of time.
• As an area rug: A sheepskin as an area rug can provide a soft and warm surface, which is nice for your feet or to lie on, for example, when you just get out of bed.
• In the car: Use a medicated sheepskin as a car seat cover for extra comfort during long car rides.

You can read more about medicinal sheepskins and their effects in the medicinal sheepskin blog.

What is the best way to use each type of sheepskin?

Each type of sheepskin has its own unique characteristics and in order to make the best use of the sheepskin, it is important to consider the characteristics and properties of the skins. Looking at how most of you use our sheepskins below is a rough breakdown.

What are the most beautiful sheepskins for your interiors?

If you want to choose a sheepskin for decoration it is always nice to choose something different and special, something you don't see very often. We see the multicolor sheepskin and Icelandic sheepskin used for decoration as well as the Greenland and Gotland sheepskin. These fleeces have a unique wool which makes them a real eye catcher in your interior.

For decorative purposes you can of course use any kind of sheepskin including the Texel, Scandinavian or any of the above. Try different types and colors on your desired spot and see which one fits best. Do you want the sheepskin to really stand out in your interior? Then you can go for a color that differs from the rest of your interior. Or if you want to keep it more subtle go for a coat with a quiet color scheme.

Which sheepskin is the nicest to sit on?

If you want to use the sheepskin to sit on, the sheepskins with a medium length wool are used the most, such as the Texel sheepskin or Scandinavian sheepskin. This is because the Texel sheepskins have a firm and compact wool (good wool density) which makes them perfect for sitting comfortably on. The Scandinavian sheepskins are also nice to sit on, these skins are slightly more refined than the Texel skins.

Can you also sit on the Icelandic sheepskins? Yes you can, these furs are known for their long wool compared to the Texel or Scandinavian furs the wool firmness / compactness is not as thick but they are still wonderfully soft.

What about curly coats? You can sit on these as well. Personally, I would use these coats for decorative purposes rather than to sit on.

Which sheepskins are the nicest to lie on?

For those looking for the finest sheepskins to lie on, Texel sheepskins offer an excellent choice. Thanks to their thick and compact wool, these furs are ideal for use on chairs and sofas, where they provide both comfort and firmness.

For those who prefer a softer wool, Scandinavian sheepskins are a perfect alternative. These furs are known for their fine, soft and lush wool, ideal for a more luxurious and comfortable experience.

When it comes to using sheepskins for medical purposes, such as preventing bedsores, medical sheepskins are the best option. These are specially designed to relieve pressure and are treated to be hygienic and durable, making them ideally suited for long-term use in medical situations. In short, choosing a sheepskin depends on your specific needs and preferences, whether it's comfort, softness or medical use.

Conclusion

Now that you have read this blog you know (almost) everything about the different sheepskins and how diverse and versatile these beautiful natural products are. From the robust and comfortable Texel sheepskins, ideal for seating purposes because of their firm and compact wool, to the elegant and soft Scandinavian sheepskins, perfect for a luxurious and comfortable experience. In addition, the unique and striking Icelandic, Gotland, and Greenland sheepskins, with their long and curly wool, offer a playful luxury and are excellent for decorative purposes in almost all interior styles.

There was also another unique type of sheepskin namely the medicinal sheepskin which are widely used for medical purposes, especially for those who sit or lie down for long periods of time. The ability of these coats to relieve pressure and regulate body temperature makes them ideal for medical use and comfort. Thus, each type of sheepskin with its own unique characteristics contributes to different wants and needs, from interior decoration to practical and medical use.

Choosing a sheepskin depends on personal preferences and needs. Whether you are looking for a sheepskin that makes a statement in your home decor, provides comfort for sitting or lying down, or has specific medical benefits, there is always a sheepskin that fits your style and needs. Hopefully, after reading this blog, you have gained a better understanding of the beauty and functionality of different sheepskins and I have been able to show you how they can be a unique and, most importantly, attractive addition to any interior and lifestyle.

Need help picking out your new sheepskin?

Would you like to get a new sheepskin but are not quite sure and would like some extra help and advice? I would be happy to help you with any questions you may have. Then you can make an informed choice and go for the sheepskin that perfectly fits your needs and wishes. You can contact me at +31(0)6 17 52 13 63 (during opening hours), send an email or come by in Boxmeer, the Netherlands (by appointment only) to experience them.