Keeping a throw blanket handy in your family room or living room is a wonderful way to add a touch of style and comfort in the most lived-in parts of your home.
But how do you choose the best blankets for living rooms? How big is a throw blanket? If it’s too small, your throw blanket won’t provide the comfort you want. Too large, and your couch may look messy and uninviting.
If you’re not sure about the right throw size for your home or how to style your throw perfectly, read on!
What Is a Throw Blanket?
A throw blanket is a versatile blanket in your home used for warmth, coziness and a stylistic accent. Unlike bed blankets, throw blankets are most commonly found in the living room or family room. Throw blanket sizes are smaller than other blankets because they aren’t based on mattress dimensions.
Decorative Benefits
Even if you live in a warm climate, a throw blanket offers a great opportunity to add a pop of color or a touch of texture to your living room. Elegantly draped over the back of a couch or neatly folded on an ottoman, a throw blanket makes any room feel more homey.
Keeping Cozy With a Throw
There’s something special about snuggling under a blanket for movie night, or enjoying a nap on the couch. Instead of borrowing a blanket from another room, a throw blanket is always on hand whenever you need it!
Protect Your Furniture
If you have pets at home who spend time on the furniture, a throw blanket protects your couch from pet hair, dirt and allergens. Getting rid of pet hair is as easy as shaking out your throw and tossing it in the wash.
What Size Is a Throw Blanket?
Throw blankets vary in size, but most are smaller than an average bed blanket. Because throw blankets are designed to use while seated, they’re small enough to manage, but big enough to cover one or two people sitting on a couch. 60x80 inches or 50x70 inches are good sizes for a throw blanket.
How Throw Blanket Size Compares to Other Blankets
Throw blankets are about 5 inches narrower and 10 inches shorter than twin-size blankets. In fact, throw blankets are among the smallest blankets in your home.
Looking for more information about blanket dimensions for your home? Read on in our Bed Sheet, Quilt, & Blanket Dimension Guide.
Throw Blankets vs Bed Blankets: What Are the Differences?
Now that we’ve covered how throw blanket dimensions vary from bed blankets, it’s time to take a look at the other differences between them.
Style Options and Differences
When you’re choosing a blanket for your bed, you’ll probably focus on matching the color, texture and material of your other bedding decor like sheets, pillow shams and comforters. But because a throw blanket is usually the only blanket in your living room or den, you can be more adventurous with your design choices.
Instead of focusing on blending in, you can use your throw as an opportunity to bring visual interest into your living room. You can even choose a few different throws and change them out seasonally or when the mood strikes you.
Functional Differences
Bed blankets live on your bed, so they need to keep you warm all night long. But throw blankets are casual layers. They are there when you need them, and can be tucked away at other times. Because they function differently, you can be more creative with material choices, thicknesses and textures when it comes to throws.
Pro Tip: How does twin blanket size compare to throw blanket size, and can taller people use a twin instead? See our Twin Blanket Size Guide
Throw Blankets and Bed Blankets Aren’t Interchangeable
If you have a favorite blanket on your bed, you may feel tempted to grab it to use it on your couch. But bed blankets should stay in the bedroom rather than traveling to high-traffic areas like the living room.
Queen-size and king-size bed covers feel like extra-large blankets when they’re on the couch, so they may drag on the floor or make you feel swamped by fabric. Choosing the right blanket for the job is always a good idea.
To get a better idea of how a queen size blanket compares to a throw, check out our Queen Size Blanket Guide.
How to Choose a Throw Blanket
So how do you choose the best cozy couch blanket? There are a few important factors to consider.
Your Height
If you’re on the short side, consider getting a smaller throw blanket so you don’t feel overwhelmed by your throw. If you’re tall, you’ll need a slightly larger throw to get comfortable.
Furniture Size
It’s best to select a throw that suits the size and shape of your furniture. Long couches or sectionals can accommodate more generous throw blanket dimensions than armchairs.
Material and Care
Some materials are easier to manage than others. Look for a throw you can machine wash easily without any fuss. After all, the more use it gets, the more frequently you should clean it!
FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about throw blanket size.
What’s the Best Way to Style Your Bed With a Throw Blanket?
If you prefer to use a throw blanket as a decorative accent in your bedroom, consider choosing a contrasting color or a different texture than your other bedding. Drape the throw straight across the foot of the bed or on a diagonal across one of the bottom corners for a casual, lived-in look.
What’s the Best Way to Style Your Couch With a Throw?
Draping a throw blanket on your couch creates an inviting, dynamic appeal. Try folding it lengthwise, and smoothly draping the blanket across the back of the couch for a symmetrical style. For a more casual look, lay the throw on a diagonal across the end of the couch, covering the arm and seat.
For more ideas about styling your living room, read our guide: Living Room Layout Ideas & Inspiration.
What Size Is an Oversized Throw?
Sizes of throw blankets can vary considerably, but an oversized throw is usually 80x90 inches or 90x100 inches. These extra-large blankets can fit a full or queen bed in a pinch. But they also work well for larger sectional or L-shaped couches. Oversized throws also make good couch covers for pets.
Can You Use an Old Blanket as a Throw?
Repurposing an old bedroom blanket as a throw is certainly tempting, but because your throw will live in a prominent part of your home, be sure it’s in good condition. Choosing a dedicated throw blanket helps make sure it’s in perfect shape and matches your living room decor beautifully.
Throws in Luxurious Materials and Elegant Styles
Whether you prefer bold, energetic patterns or simplistic solids, Parachute has style-forward throws for every home and any season. From cotton knit throws that add a touch of texture, to fabulously warm Alpaca throws for winter nights on the couch, our collection of throw blankets brings sophistication and style to your favorite room in the house!