A single sheepskin rug is one whole New Zealand Merino skin, about 35 in long, with the natural shape of the animal it came from. It is the size most people start with, and the one that works in the most places.

Where a single sheepskin works

• As a sheepskin chair cover on a dining or office chair, softening a hard seat
• On the corner of a sofa, or across an armchair
• At the end of a bed, or on the floor beside it so your feet land on something soft
• In a reading nook or on a window seat

Because it is a single hide rather than a seamed piece, the edge is naturally uneven. That irregular outline is one of the easiest ways to tell a real skin from a printed or machine-made copy.

Curly or longwool

The curly sheepskin rug has a short, tightly curled fleece in four colors: Pearl, Taupe, Ivory and Grey. It holds its shape under weight and collects less dust, which makes it the practical pick for a chair you use every day.

The longwool single has a deep, silky pile of about 2 to 3 in and comes in eight colors, from Ivory and Linen through to Wolf Tip, Chocolate and Black. It is the softer, more dramatic option.

Both are $79, and both are genuine Merino seconds, which is why they cost what they do. The grade is about looks, not durability.

Sizing, care and delivery

Every skin is natural, so 35 in is a working measurement rather than an exact cut. There is more detail in the size guide. To keep one fresh, shake and air it regularly, and hand wash in cool water when it needs more than that. Orders ship from inside the USA, shipping is free on orders over $99, and returns are open for 30 days.