A sheepskin seat pad can soften a hard kitchen chair or make a favourite stool more inviting. To choose the right one, start with the usable seat measurements, then decide how much of the chair you want the sheepskin to cover.
Our sheepskin seat pads come in round and square shapes. Each has natural wool on top and leather underneath, adding a soft layer to the seat. A few minutes with a tape measure will help you choose a pad that sits comfortably on your furniture.
Measure the seat first
Measure the part of the chair you actually sit on. The overall width of a chair, including its arms or frame, can be quite different from the space available for a pad.
- Measure across the seat. On a round stool, measure straight across the centre to find the diameter. On a dining chair, check the width at both the front and the back, as many seats narrow towards the backrest.
- Measure from front to back. Take the depth of the usable seat, stopping where the backrest begins.
- Check for anything that restricts the fit. Arms, spindles and a raised rim can leave less room for the pad to lie flat.
If the seat is an unusual shape, cut a paper template to the size of the pad you are considering and lay it on the chair. This will show you where the edges fall and whether the corners fit. The wool will give the real pad a softer outline than the paper.
Sheepskin seat pad sizes
These are the listed sizes of our white or brown seat pads. Use them alongside your chair measurements to compare the options.
| Seat pad | Listed size | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Small round | 30cm diameter | Small stools or a compact pad within a larger seat |
| Medium round | 40cm diameter | Wider stools and dining chairs with room for a round pad |
| Large round | 50cm diameter | Broad seats, footstools or a more generous overhang |
| Square | 40 × 40cm | Kitchen, dining or office chairs with a squarer seat |
Furniture sizes vary, so a pad described as suitable for dining chairs or bar stools will still need checking against your own seat.
Choose between round and square
A round sheepskin seat pad follows the outline of a circular stool. It can also sit neatly in the centre of a square chair, leaving some of the seat visible around the corners. This is a good option if you want to keep the shape or finish of the chair on show.
A square pad gives more coverage towards the corners of a square seat. On a dining chair that narrows at the back, check the rear width carefully: a 40cm-wide pad may fit across the front but bunch against the backrest. A round pad can be worth comparing if the corners are awkward.
For either shape, the pad should have room to settle onto the seat without being squeezed between the arms or folded up against the back.
Decide how much overhang you want
For a contained fit, choose a pad that sits within the usable seat area. A larger pad creates a fuller look, with the fleece falling over the edges. That can work well on an open stool or footstool, where there are no arms or backrest in the way.
For example, a 40cm round template centred on a 30cm round stool extends 5cm beyond the seat on each side. Try that outline before ordering to see whether you like the extra coverage. Avoid choosing a much larger pad simply for more softness, as the extra material may get in the way.
On an armchair, think about whether you want fleece just on the seat or up the back as well. A pad covers the sitting area, while a full sheepskin rug can drape over both. Check the space between the arms before choosing either.
A few practical details before ordering
Natural colours vary between fleeces. Our white pads can range from bright white to creamy shades, while browns range from caramel to darker chocolate tones. Bear that variation in mind if you are choosing several pads for the same table.
If keeping a pad in place is a concern, the large round pad offers optional herringbone cotton ties on request. Check the product details when ordering and consider where the ties could attach to your chair.
Care also varies by pad. The square pad is listed as dry clean only, and not all round pads are washable. Follow the instructions on the back of your own pad and see our sheepskin care guide for more advice.
Browse our sheepskin seat pads to compare the shapes and colours. If you are unsure about the fit, get in touch with your chair measurements and a photograph before ordering.
