Wool is a natural and stylish way of introducing warmth and comfort into your home.
UK Wool Week, organised by The Campaign for Wool, is running until October 21 to celebrate the versatility of the material and raise its profile as an option for both fashion and interiors.
According to figures from British Wool, 40,000 farmers produce 30 million kilos of wool in Britain each year. However, wool accounts for just four per cent of UK fibres with synthetic materials and cotton being more widely used for many things.
But wool has lots of benefits, including being biodegradable, naturally water-resistant and odour-resistant. And adding woollen products to your living room will quickly ramp up the level of cosiness and get your home ready for winter.
Here are five ways you can easily bring wool into your living room:
- Blankets
Who doesn’t love snuggling up under a blanket to watch their favourite TV show? Whether you are stretching out on your La-Z-Boy sofa or curled up on an armchair, having a good quality woollen blanket on hand will help you stay warm and is much more cost-effective than turning up your thermostat. Woollen blankets are more fire-resistant than other natural fibres and they hold their colour well so you can pick one which complements the décor in your living room.
- Throws
A colourful woollen throw is a great way of introducing a new look to your living room at very little cost. It also helps protect and prolong the life of your sofa or armchair, especially if you have pets or children. Wool is also considered hypoallergenic, so is a great choice if someone in your house suffers from asthma or another allergy. It naturally absorbs moisture and so helps prevent the growth of bacteria and it produces fewer dust particles than many other materials.
- Rugs or carpets
There are several reasons why wool is a sensible option if you’re looking for a new rug or carpet. As a non-allergenic material, it deters dust mites and bacteria and is also extremely durable. Wool is stronger than a lot of other man-made materials so while a natural wool rug is unlikely to be the cheapest option available, it is likely to last you years so look at it as a long-term investment.
- Sheepskin
If you want to add a focal point to your living room, a sheepskin rug or throw will do the trick. Their fluffy appearance makes a distinctive style statement and the texture is super-soft and luxurious to touch. Sheepskins are also surprisingly easy to look after as the lanolin present in the wool has self-cleaning properties (although you will still need to use a damp cloth to quickly wipe up any spillages). If you use the pelt as a throw, you’ll find it helps to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer as the natural fibres will work to pull moisture away from your body.
- Felt accessories
Felted wool is a great material for accessories to add personality and colour to your living room. Choose from anything from cushions or storage baskets to ornaments or lampshades. You can even buy decorative felt stones to create a talking point in your living room. Wool felt is flame retardant, extremely resilient and doesn’t fray so it will stay looking great for ages.
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