Decorating your home can be difficult, especially when balancing style and comfort in your bedroom. One of the easiest ways to elevate your bedroom decor while maintaining comfort and functionality is by using a throw blanket.
If you’re wondering how to style a throw blanket on a bed, look no further. Sew Sweet Minky Designs has created the perfect list of ideas for styling a throw blanket on a bed.
Throw Blanket Sizing
Before learning how to put a throw blanket on a bed, you need to determine what size you need. Standard throw blanket sizing is typically around 55–60" x 72–80". Let the size of your bed guide you to the right range.
It’s important to remember that a throw blanket is not meant to cover your entire bed. You may want to go for a slightly smaller blanket for a twin-sized bed. For a king-sized bed, you may want to find a larger blanket than the standard size (check out Sew Sweet’s Extreme Strips, which measure 82" x 114").
Colors, Textures, and Fabrics
When choosing a throw blanket, consider what colors, textures, and fabrics you already have for your bed. You ultimately want a nice blend of colors and textures, rather than everything being the same.
Even if you prefer neutral tones, you should still bring in different shades and colors. Everything ultimately comes down to your design style, but make sure to have a good variety in your space.
5 Delightful Throw Blanket Styling Ideas
Once you have the perfect blankets, what do you do with them? Good question! See our top five styling ideas below.
1. Spice Up Your Headboard
Your throw blanket doesn’t have to stay at the bottom of your bed. Whether your headboard is outdated, covering it with a throw blanket can add some extra spunk. Depending on the size of your headboard, you can do this by hanging it horizontally or vertically. Any excess length will then hang behind the back of the headboard, out of sight.
There are many opportunities to get creative here with different textured, colored, and patterned fabrics. Using a patterned blanket can give a tapestry-like look to your bed, or if you’re looking for a more mature look, a fluffy, neutral-toned blanket can add some simple-looking texture to your bed. A soft and fluffy blanket on the headboard also elevates your bed’s comfort status.
2. Use the Pinch-and-Pull Method
If you’re looking for an effortlessly chic look, this one’s for you. To style using this method, you’re going first to locate the center point of the blanket. Then, you’re going to pinch that center point and lift the blanket, holding only the center between your fingers. From there, fluff all the different sides and angles of the blanket and carefully place the blanket diagonally along one of the bottom corners of the bed.
You want the point you are holding onto to be fully on the bed and for 3–5 inches of the blanket’s ends to drape over the edge of the bed. It should resemble a triangular shape when done.
Then, once you place the blanket, fluff the bottom again to make sure all the creases and lines are to your liking.
3. Give It a Classic Horizontal Fold
Using a simple design with a throw blanket is an excellent idea if you already have a lot going on with different textures and colors with other elements of your bed. A simple fold is very common in many households and gives your bed an organized look. This is a great starting point if you’re new to learning how to style a throw blanket on a bed.
The fold is simple: Depending on the width of your blanket, fold it into even thirds or fourths. When you’re done, it should look like one long rectangle.
Then, simply drape it at the foot of your bed, evenly and horizontally. You want very clean lines in the final look with a fold like this.
4. Be Casual and a Little Disorderly
To get this casual look, you have to do a lot of playing around with your blanket. Start by folding your blanket like you would for a classic, clean horizontal fold. You can either place it across the bottom of the bed (straight or with a slight diagonal) or drape it from the center of the bed to one bottom corner (with some of it hanging off the edge). From there, you are the artist.
Once you have your placement figured out, create a more casual look by pinching at the material and creating some folds and waves in the blanket. For many people, a casual look signals comfort, and a bed should certainly look comfortable.
This technique adds to the coziness of the bed, but it also brings in texture, even with a non-textured, plain blanket. This idea is for you if you’re ready to elevate your bedroom decor but don’t love patterned or textured materials.
5. Layer, Layer, Layer
Layering is a great option if you’re looking for a more “full” look from your throw blankets, but don’t want to simply cover the whole thing with a single blanket. You can use any of the folding techniques above, but you’ll be doing it with two blankets so that they cover more of the bed.
Your base throw blanket should be a more basic, neutral style placed toward the bottom of the bed. Then, you’ll style another throw blanket on top that is either more colorful, textured, or patterned. This second blanket will be staggered on top of the base blanket. How much you offset the two is up to you. If you want more coverage, let more of the base blanket show.
Minky Throw Blankets
Minky blankets are incredibly soft blankets that are notorious for being extremely cozy and fuzzy. They also have a little bit of texture to them and come in various colors and patterns. Whether you’re going for a more neutral-toned home style or want some statement pieces, a minky blanket is a good place to start.
This type of blanket can not only fit into any style, but it is also functional. While blankets can certainly look cute, you also want your guests to be able to use them when they’re cold.