Using sheepskin outdoors…

In her novel ‘Emma’, Jane Austen said, “There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.” This highlights how contented she felt in her home surroundings. But the home isn’t just the house; it’s the garden too. And here at Baa Stool, we believe gardens should make us feel just as peaceful and homely as houses.

You may not have seen sheepskin used outside in the garden before but, believe me, it adds a real sense of luxury and cheer. In fact, using sheepskin outdoors certainly adds the wow factor!

Outdoor Rugs

The amazing thing about sheepskin is that it feels warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot, so having a sheepskin throw or rug over an outdoor chair like @emmas_hygge_home here is a really good – and attractive – idea. It’s something to snuggle up to if you’re having an evening barbecue and it’s starting to get chilly, yet it will feel cool and refreshing in the middle of the day. And if you have garden chairs that aren’t particularly comfortable, a sheepskin rug used as a throw is the perfect solution. Even putting a sheepskin rug over the back of an old deckchair can take your comfort to a whole new level.

Make Outdoors an Extension of Indoors

Zone your garden into usable spaces much like rooms. Create somewhere to sit and relax. Add a firepit and a canopy too, it’s best to have all angles covered when it comes to the British summer! How about an outdoor kitchen too? Somewhere to prepare food, a BBQ and the must have pizza oven. And once you’ve cooked then of course you’re going to need a dining space fit for a king or queen for that matter! Remember sheepskin is the perfect accessory for outdoor living. Layer that texture and immerse yourself in luxurious texture!

Outdoor Rooms

If you have young children or toddlers who like to play on a patio, balcony or path in the garden, putting down a sheepskin rug for them provides both comfort and protection in case they fall over. It makes the area feel safe and cosy – as if you’ve brought the inside outside for them. Of course, the same effect can be achieved in a conservatory, garden room or on decking in the garden.

Some people have a seating area made of wooden benches in their gardens, which look lovely but aren’t always particularly comfortable. Again, use a Baa Stool sheepskin rug like @little_york_house here or some of our stunning fleecy cushions like to soften and brighten an area. You’ll be glad you did!

Take Care

A word of caution, though: if you’re using sheepskin products outdoors, you need to do so with care. After all, we’ve all seen a soggy sheep after a downpour, haven’t we?!

Here are a few handy hints for keeping your beautiful sheepskin rugs, cushions and stools in tip-top condition:

• Only use sheepskin outdoors when you’re sure the weather conditions are going to be dry (you don’t want a sudden shower to dampen your parade).
• Damp patios or decking can attract mould, so only put sheepskin rugs and throws on the ground when you’re sure it’s completely dry. You really don’t want a mouldy sheepskin!
• Don’t leave your sheepskin outdoors in full light; sheepskin is a natural product that can be damaged by strong sunlight and some of our dyed brighter colours may bleach outdoors in the sun. So, enjoy your rugs and throws in shady areas.
• Giving sheepskin products (e.g. Baa Stool rugs and removeable stool toppers) a good shake once in a while restores their natural pile and keeps them looking fluffy and gorgeous.
• If a drink or some food accidentally gets spilled on the sheepskin, please don’t wash it. Try spot cleaning and brushing instead.

For more top tips on caring for your sheepskin products, and to read about our cleaning and re-finishing service, have a look at ‘How to care for your sheepskin’

Meanwhile, enjoy bringing the inside outside and using sheepskin outdoors to achieve a sense of luxury and comfort in your own garden. After all, Jane Austen also said: “To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.”

Wise woman!