Wool is one of nature’s most versatile fibres. With many different sheep breeds and a wide variety of fibre thickness, wool can be made into a diverse range of products from fashion to soft furnishings and durable upholstery, which offer many benefits to the home. 

Choosing wool not only has many natural benefits for you, your well-being and your home but is a sustainable choice. It is natural, renewable and biodegradable, meaning wool won’t contribute to pollution like synthetic fibres. At the end of its life, wool decomposes naturally, returning to the earth.

There is a reason why people have been using this amazing fibre for more than 4000 years. Its unique properties make it the perfect choice for your home. From upholstery to bedding, carpets, and insulation, let’s explore how you can introduce wool and elevate your living space.

Wool in Upholstery

Wool adds warmth, texture, and durability to your interiors. Whether used in curtains, chairs, or other soft furnishings, wool brings timeless elegance and practical benefits to the home.

Tartan chair upholstered using our heavyweight hame tartan fabric
  • Durable

Wool is extremely durable and hard-wearing. This benefit of wool’s structure makes it robust and able to endure substantial wear and compression. Being naturally elastic, wool can also return to its original shape after being stretched without wrinkling and sagging. In the long term, with proper care, wool fabrics should maintain their appearance, reducing the need for replacements.

  • Naturally safe.

Wool is flame-resistant due to its high water and nitrogen content. It will usually self-extinguish once the source of the fire is removed and doesn’t melt or stick to the skin, making it a safer option for the home.

  • Easy to Clean

Wool’s waxy outer coating makes it more resistant to staining. This coating protects the inner fibre, making wool easier to clean and allowing more time to remove spills before they soak into the fabric. Likewise, wool picks up less dust due to its anti-static properties, providing further ease of cleaning - making wool ideal for tableware and soft furnishings.

At Lochcarron of Scotland, we specialise in premium wool textiles, crafted to the finest quality at our authentic Scottish mill. Thanks to the natural properties of wool, combined with the high-quality twill weave, our four woven fabric qualities Reiver, Braeriach, Strome, and Selkirk Tweed, are naturally resilient, flame-retardant and wear-resistant. Our fabrics have been tested and are ideal for interior design and upholstery projects straight from our stocked range of tartans, offering both beauty and performance. 

Explore our stocked range of wool upholstery fabric for your next project or take a look at our made-to-order items for the home.

Wool in Bedding

Want better sleep? Wool might be the answer. Scientific Research shows that introducing wool into your bedding is one way to sleep better and feel refreshed for the day ahead.

  • Breathable

The overlapping scales in the fibre’s structure allow for small gaps where air can circulate freely, making wool exceptionally breathable. This structure makes wool a hygroscopic fibre, allowing wool to absorb and release water vapour as humidity rises and falls. This enables wool to constantly adapt to changes in the surrounding atmosphere and regulate body temperature, helping maintain your thermophysical comfort. Wool can also hold up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, far more than other common fibre types.

These properties allow you to stay warm and cool and are less prone to getting clammy when sleeping, making wool the best choice for your bedding.

  • Odour Resistant

Wool efficiently absorbs and releases sweat before bacteria can form, offering resistance to the formation of odours. This allows your woollen bedding and blankets to stay fresh and comfortable even if used for an extended period.

It also has naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, making it resistant to mould, mildew, and dust mites. An ideal choice for those suffering from allergies or breathing conditions and provides support with skin issues and eczema.

Explore our selection of woollen Cushions and Blankets, and dress your bed with our tartan home interiors. We offer soft and warm Borders 100% lambswool Blankets, Innes 100% Cashmere Blankets and our Bracken 100% British Wool Blankets.

Wool in Carpets and Insulation

Since wool can adjust to changing conditions, wool carpet and insulation help regulate room temperature, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. This lowers energy consumption and costs, lessening your home’s carbon footprint.

  • Resilient

This fibre’s naturally coiled spring-like structure allows the carpet pile to bounce back and withstand heavy use, retaining its surface shape. This quality makes wool ideal for carpeting as it allows high-traffic areas to maintain their appearance for longer. It also absorbs sound, reducing noise throughout the home and creating a more peaceful environment.

  • Cleaner Air

Wool improves air quality by absorbing and locking away pollutants such as volatile organic carbons (VOCs) from the air faster than other fibres, creating a healthier and safer atmosphere.

Wool’s natural benefits make it a smart, stylish, and sustainable choice for every room. Whether you're refreshing your interiors or looking to create a comfortable and safe space, introduce a touch of Scotland to your living space. Browse our Interiors Collection and style your home beautifully in wool tartan for durability and timeless appeal. With over 500 tartans to choose from, the choices are endless.

Want to learn more about the benefits of wool? Discover the Campaign for Wool, a not-for-profit organisation that raises awareness of wool as a natural and sustainable fibre for both fashion and interiors.