We stock one black sheepskin rug: a single New Zealand Merino skin, about 35 in long, dyed a deep true black and finished with a long, silky fleece of about 2 to 3 in.

What a black sheepskin does in a room

Black is the shade that reads as deliberate. Against a pale chair, a light floor or an oak frame it works as contrast rather than as a soft furnishing that blends in. On a dark sofa it adds texture without adding another colour.

Because the fleece is long, black is not flat: the tips catch the light while the base stays deep, so the skin shifts as you move past it. That depth is the main reason to choose a real dyed skin over a printed imitation, which stays uniformly matte.

The one we sell

• Longwool single in Black, one whole skin, about 35 in long. $79.

It is the same skin as our best-stocked single, just in Black. Only the single size comes in black. If you need more length or floor coverage, the closest dark shade in the bigger sizes is Chocolate, in our brown sheepskin rugs.

Care and delivery

Black is a dyed shade and dye reacts to UV, so keep it out of harsh, direct sunlight or it will lose depth over time. Shake and air it regularly, and brush the pile with a wide-tooth comb. For a full clean, hand wash in cool water, press the water out without wringing, and dry it flat away from heat. Ships from within the USA with 30 days to return.