If you’ve ever sat on a hard wooden bench and thought, “This would be 100% better if it felt like sitting on a cloud,” welcome. A faux sheepskin seat cushion is a fast, budget-friendly way to add cozy texture, a bit of Young House Love–style charm, and a surprising amount of comfort to any chair or bench.
The best part? You don’t need to be a professional upholsterer. With a scrap of faux sheepskin, a simple base, and a staple gun, you can turn an ordinary seat into a plush perch in an afternoon. This guide walks you through everything: measuring, cutting, stapling, styling, and keeping that fluffy cushion looking fresh.
Why Make a Faux Sheepskin Seat Cushion?
1. It Instantly Warms Up a Room
Faux sheepskin adds instant visual warmth and texture. On a minimal wood bench, a sleek dining chair, or a simple entryway seat, that fluffy layer softens all the straight lines and hard surfaces. It makes the whole spot whisper, “Come sit here with coffee.”
2. It’s Comfortable and Practical
Even a thin faux fur cushion makes a big difference in comfort. Layer it over wood, metal, or rattan to create a softer landing. Unlike real sheepskin, faux options are usually easier to spot-clean and more affordable, so you won’t panic when kids, pets, or your own coffee get a little too enthusiastic.
3. It’s Budget-Friendly Compared to Store-Bought
Designer sheepskin cushions and stools can cost serious money. Making your own lets you control the size, color, and quality while paying a fraction of the price. You can often get enough faux sheepskin from a small rug or a yard of fabric to cover multiple seats.
4. It’s Customizable for Any Seat
Bench in the entryway? Narrow vanity seat? Deep window ledge? When you make the cushion yourself, you’re not stuck with standard sizes. You can tailor the base and cushioning to fit your exact furniture piece, from petite stools to long banquettes.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before you start, gather your supplies. You can tweak this list a bit depending on the seat you’re working with, but these are the basics that work for most Young House Love–style faux sheepskin projects.
- Faux sheepskin or faux fur fabric (a small rug or yardage)
- Base material:
- 1/4" MDF, plywood, or similar board cut to seat size
- For existing seats, you can sometimes wrap directly around the seat board
- Foam cushion (1–3" thick, high-density foam for extra comfort)
- Batting (optional) for a soft, rounded edge
- Staple gun with 3/8"–1/2" staples (wood-appropriate length)
- Sharp scissors or utility knife (fabric scissors for the fur, utility knife for foam)
- Measuring tape and a marker or fabric chalk
- Sandpaper (if you cut your own MDF/plywood and want to smooth edges)
- Drill and screws (only if you’re attaching the cushion to a seat base)
Optional but helpful: clamps to hold the board while cutting, spray adhesive to lightly secure foam to the base, and a vacuum or lint roller for cleaning up faux fur fluff at the end.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Faux Sheepskin Seat Cushion
Step 1: Measure Your Seat
Start by measuring the surface you want to cushion. For a bench, measure length and depth. For a chair, measure the width at the front and back, since some seats taper.
- Write down width and depth in inches.
- If your seat has rounded corners, lightly trace it onto cardboard to make a template. Then transfer that template to your base material.
Decide whether you want your cushion to be exactly the size of the seat or slightly inset so the faux fur doesn’t hang over the edge too dramatically.
Step 2: Cut the Base
Use MDF or plywood as your cushion base. Many home centers will do straight cuts for you if you bring measurements. If you’re cutting at home, mark your lines with a pencil and use a circular or jigsaw carefully.
- Cut the base just slightly smaller than the seat so the faux fur can wrap around without sticking out awkwardly.
- Lightly sand the edges so there are no splinters to snag the fabric or your hands.
Step 3: Add the Foam Cushion
Set the base on top of your foam and trace the outline. Cut the foam with a sharp utility knife or an electric carving knife using a sawing motion. Don’t worry if the edge isn’t perfect; the fur will hide small imperfections.
- Use spray adhesive to lightly attach the foam to the base so it doesn’t shift around.
- If you want ultra-plush comfort, stack two thinner foam pieces and glue them together.
Step 4: Wrap with Batting (Optional but Nice)
Batting isn’t essential, but it helps soften the edges and gives a rounded, professional look.
- Lay the batting flat, place the foam-covered base in the center.
- Wrap the batting up and around to the back of the base.
- Staple the batting to the back, pulling it snug but not so tight that it compresses the foam.
- Trim excess batting so it lies flat on the back.
Step 5: Cut the Faux Sheepskin
Faux sheepskin behaves differently than regular fabric. If you cut straight through from the top, you’ll accidentally give your cushion a weird fur “haircut.” Instead, cut from the back side:
- Place the fabric fur-side down.
- Mark your cutting lines so you have enough to wrap around the edges and onto the back (generally 3–4" extra on all sides).
- Use the tip of your scissors or a craft knife to cut only the backing, not the entire fur pile.
This keeps the fibers long and natural-looking at the edges instead of blunt and choppy.
Step 6: Wrap and Staple the Faux Sheepskin
Now comes the satisfying part: upholstering!
- Lay the faux sheepskin fur-side down on your work surface.
- Center the foam-and-base piece, foam side down, on the back of the fur.
- Starting on one long side, pull the fur up and over the edge and staple it to the back of the base. Put staples every 2–3" or closer if needed.
- Move to the opposite long side. Pull snug (but not so tight that you flatten all the fluff), then staple across that side.
- Repeat with the short ends. For corners, fold and smooth the fur like you’re wrapping a present, but let the fur pile hide the folds. Add extra staples at the corners.
- Trim off excess fur backing on the back so it lies flat.
Step 7: Test Fit and Attach (If Needed)
Set your new faux sheepskin cushion on the bench or chair and test it out. Depending on your furniture and how often the seat is used, you have a few options:
- Leave it loose: If the bench has a textured surface (like woven rattan) and the cushion sits solidly, leaving it loose makes it easy to remove for cleaning.
- Screw it in: For dining chairs, you can flip the seat over and attach the cushion from below using short screws through the existing seat frame and into the base. Just be absolutely sure the screws are shorter than the cushion plus base. No one wants a surprise “spiky” detail.
- Use non-slip pads or Velcro: For slippery surfaces, stick non-slip drawer liner under the cushion or use heavy-duty hook-and-loop strips on the corners.
Styling Ideas for Your Faux Sheepskin Seat Cushion
1. Cozy Entry Bench
Place the cushion on a narrow entry bench, add a couple of colorful throw pillows against the wall, and slide baskets underneath. You get a soft place to sit while putting on shoes and a little moment of luxury right by the front door.
2. Dining Chairs with a Twist
Make smaller cushions for dining chairs to cozy up a modern table. Stick to neutral white or cream faux sheepskin for a Scandinavian look, or try soft blush or gray for a subtle color moment that still reads as a neutral.
3. Window Seat Upgrade
Long window seat but no budget for custom upholstery? A series of faux sheepskin cushions can deliver that plush built-in feeling without the custom price tag. Line them up and let the fur overlap slightly for a continuous fluffy effect.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Keep the Fluff Fluffy
To keep your faux sheepskin looking fresh:
- Shake it out regularly to remove crumbs and dust.
- Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment on the lowest setting.
- Finger-comb or use a wide-tooth comb lightly to detangle flattened areas.
Spot Cleaning Spills
For small spills, immediately blot (don’t rub) with a clean cloth. Then use a mild soap and water solution on a barely damp cloth to gently clean the affected area. Rinse with a clean damp cloth, then blot again and let air dry completely.
Long-Term Wear
Over time, high-traffic spots may mat down slightly. Rotating the cushion or occasionally fluffing and brushing the fibers helps keep things looking even. Because it’s a DIY project, you can always re-cover the base with new faux sheepskin in the future without replacing the entire seat.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
1. Cutting the Fur the Wrong Way
If you cut faux sheepskin from the front like normal fabric, you’ll end up with choppy edges that look like someone gave your cushion a bad haircut. Always cut from the back and only slice through the backing to keep the fur pile long and natural.
2. Not Leaving Enough Fabric to Wrap
It’s tempting to cut your fur piece the exact size of the cushion top, but you need extra to wrap around the edges and staple. Add at least 3–4" on each side for stress-free stapling and smooth corners.
3. Using Staples That Are Too Short (or Too Long)
Too short and they don’t grip the wood; too long and they risk poking through the front or edges. Test on a scrap piece of your base first to make sure the staples hold securely without showing anywhere they shouldn’t.
4. Over-Stretching the Fur
Pulling too hard can compress the foam and flatten the pile, making the cushion look oddly thin. Aim for “snug and smooth,” not “stretch until it squeaks.” Let the faux fur be a little full and fluffy at the edges.
FAQs About Faux Sheepskin Seat Cushions
Can I do this project without power tools?
Yes. Many home centers can cut a board to your exact measurements. From there you only need a staple gun, scissors, and basic hand tools. If your chair already has a removable seat, you may be able to staple directly onto that and skip the separate base entirely.
Is faux sheepskin kid- and pet-friendly?
Faux options are usually more practical than real sheepskin. Look for fabrics or rugs labeled as easy-care or machine-washable. For everyday messes, regular shaking out and spot cleaning go a long way. Just expect the occasional crumb and pet hairthankfully, the texture hides a lot between cleanings.
What color faux sheepskin should I choose?
Classic white or cream gives that bright, airy Young House Love vibe. If your home includes small kids, muddy shoes, or a dog with a strong sense of adventure, consider a warmer beige, soft gray, or even a subtle pattern to disguise wear.
Can I use this method for stools or ottomans?
Absolutely. The same basic stepscut base, add foam, wrap with faux sheepskin, staplework for bar stools, vanity stools, and small ottomans. Just adjust the size and thickness of the foam to fit how you’ll use the piece.
Real-Life Experiences and Extra Tips
Once you make one faux sheepskin seat cushion, there’s a good chance you’ll start wandering through your house wondering, “What else can I fluff up?” That’s exactly what tends to happen with projects like thisthey’re simple, oddly addictive, and make a dramatic before-and-after.
One of the biggest “aha” moments comes the first time you sit down on your newly padded seat. Even if you only added an inch or two of foam, the combination of soft padding and plush faux fur makes a basic bench feel like something you’d find in a boutique hotel lobby. Suddenly the bench everyone ignored becomes the favorite reading perch, phone-scrolling spot, or place to drink a quick morning coffee.
You’ll also notice how much personality that single piece adds to the room. A plain wood or metal frame can feel a little cold, especially in open-plan spaces. Layering in faux sheepskin introduces contrast and texture. In a space inspired by Young House Love–style decorating, that mix of clean lines and cozy layers is key: white or neutral walls, simple furniture, and then a few fun, touchable elements like your new cushion.
From a practical perspective, it’s helpful to live with the cushion for a few days before permanently attaching it. Try it loose at first. See if it slides around, how often people use it, and whether kids or pets treat it like a throne, a launching pad, or a nap zone. If it stays put and everyone respects its fluffy boundaries, you might never need screws or Velcro. If it shifts during dinner or gets knocked off every time someone walks by, a couple of hidden attachments underneath will keep things in place.
Another real-world tip: plan a quick “fluff and reset” session every week or so. Shake out crumbs outside, vacuum lightly, and finger-comb matted areas. This mini routine keeps the faux sheepskin from slowly flattening in the spots where people sit most often. If you made multiple cushionssay, for a long bench or a set of dining chairsrotate them occasionally so wear evens out.
You’ll also learn your household’s tolerance for white faux fur. Some people love the bright, crisp look and don’t mind spot cleaning now and then. Others prefer a slightly darker or warmer tone so every speck doesn’t show instantly. The good news: if you ever change your mind, it’s easy to re-cover the same base with a new color or fabric. Keeping the base and foam means future updates are quick, inexpensive, and very satisfying.
Finally, expect compliments. Guests tend to notice the cushion before anything else: “Wait, did you buy this like that?” Being able to say, “Nope, made it myself,” never gets old. It’s a small DIY with a big payoffmore comfort, more style, and a little extra confidence every time you tackle the next project on your list.
Final Thoughts
Making a faux sheepskin seat cushion is one of those DIY projects that looks fancy but feels doable. With a simple base, a layer of foam, and some cozy faux fur, you can transform a plain bench, chair, or stool into a soft, inviting spot you’ll actually use.
Whether you’re channeling Young House Love’s approachable, family-friendly style or just trying to make that one awkward seat more comfortable, this project delivers. It’s budget-friendly, customizable, and completely beginner-friendlyplus, you get bragging rights every time someone asks where you bought it.
