7 Ways To Style A Throw Blanket

In terms of its namesake, a throw blanket can be thrown into many shapes, energies and design finishes, depending on what look you’re trying to achieve. Yes, it's a blanket, and fundamentally it should provide comfort for the season, but more so it's a design tool that can gel furniture elements together, compliment individual pieces and offer textural enhancements well beyond its original purpose. But how do you style it? It’s a very subjective piece and absolutely there’s no one correct way, but there are some things to consider if you’re currently in the market or have one already that’s not living up to the hype you passionately bought into.

1. Feminine Vs Masculine

Feminine: If you’re after a relaxed, natural and casual effortless look that suits most spaces, a feminine-styled throw is always a winner. But just like mother nature, its effortless appearance actually takes a little more thought than we’d all like to admit. A popular method is to pinch the centre of the throw and drape it over one of the back corners of your couch or bed. Another way is to loosely fold the throw in half lengthwise (or not at all), and drop it over a corner, draping it over the back. Cascading your throw over the front of the couch and potentially to the floor can earth your blanket and keep the style looking ‘al naturale’. Don’t be afraid to nip and tuck and pull and puff-out the throw to get it to your liking. It never has to be perfect, it’s a moving, almost living piece and the imperfections you see will be complemented by others. Remember a well-placed cushion can camouflage a ripple or fold that doesn't want to play. Think Boho, Gypsy and Farmhouse and Van-life interior designs.

Masculine: For an organised, symmetrical and professional look, you can neatly fold your throw lengthwise into quarters or thirds, and drape it over an arm or the back of the couch, either in the centre or off-centre. Having this style is based on precision and structure, so be sure to make your folds are even and ensure the ends are tucked away securely. Importantly, know when to put the paintbrush down with your styling, and let the simple clean lines and limited cushions do all the talking. Think lofts, inner city apartments and nautical-themed spaces that are often tight for room.

2. Lounge, Sofas, Chairs and Beds

Whether you’re after a relaxed feel or structured styling, both are essential styling techniques for the bedroom. Both bring colour, texture, layers and personality and a unique feeling of life. You can easily use clean, sharp lines, but also relaxed ones – sometimes combining them together for a balanced lively finish. Complimenting the footer of a bed is a great way to start. A smartly organised throw can give a bed that super clean, never-slept-in look. Conversely, a throw that may lay angled, ruffled and ready across the footer can break up a formalised shape and invite you into a room. Think majestic bedrooms vs van-life and adventure Airbnb’s.

3. Drops and Drapes

For lightweight decorative throws, the ability to drape and drop vertically adds another dimension to your styling. Whether ladders, mirrors, hat racks or hooks, a draped throw adds vertical texture and lifts your eyes above the floor and furniture line. In addition, throws that are dropped from a height avoid disturbing daily traffic areas (like beds and couches) which means you don’t have to continually restyle them to their original glory. Drops work well in small houses, and where a fluid carefree look is desired. Think beach houses, van-life, country shacks, hammocks and Airbnb’s.

4. The End

For couches with a chaise, daybeds with inviting length or low lying sofas that connect to an ottoman or the floor, you can easily compliment that extra length with a beautifully draped throw. Throws can be used lengthwise and gently folded into thirds, then draped diagonally over the end of the long furniture piece. This look requires minimal effort and often brings an unused empty space alive. Think farmhouses, beach houses and larger type spaces that invite unwinding and comfort.

5. Baskets and Picnic Hampers

Baskets act as a great keep-safe catchall. Not only can they store blankets that might be in the rotation due to the season, but the deliberate blanket overflow from the basket acts as a feature. Keep a decorative basket next to your couch or bed, and use the basket collection as storage and style at the same time. Think Airbnb’s, rumpus rooms, kids rooms, adventure and inspirational spaces where people might want to spread out.

6. Materials vs Style

The materials behind the manufacture of a throw are an essential consideration. Not every throw will style the same, keep the same, handle the same and look the same. If you’re trying to replicate professional interior designers on Instagram and Pinterest, and wondering why yours isn’t looking the same, maybe it's not you. And if it looks the same, but feels like steel wool then that’s no better. When buying a throw blanket we know it can become an item of comfort and intimacy, not just style. So it's always important to consider quality materials and manufacturing to make sure the blanket you throw can do all the things you want it to. Natural materials like cotton and bamboo are always going to give greater comfort, longevity, and true shape for whichever style you’re going for. Slow-crafted or perhaps hand-made manufacturing will not only give you authenticity but more importantly durability to help style a space, well after its first use. The ultimate rule is you get what you pay for and anything of quality takes time and money. Think natural handmade throws for cottages, shacks, villas, historic houses and apartments.

There is no right or wrong way to style your throw blanket. What works for one space, may not work for another, so try not to be too hard on yourself or others. Remember less is always more, and the quality of products you invest in will always play a part in how the throw blanket finally rests.

Happy Throwing!