Throw Blankets: What are they and why are they?

December 04, 2020

Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Throws, Types of Throws, and How To Use Them

Hello. We’re here to tell you what a throw is, what makes it different from a blanket and what you can do with a throw. Then we will take you through the types of throws and how to use each type. 

Throws Definition: What are throws?

Throws are kind of like blankets. When you type “throws definition” into Google, you get this:

“Sometimes referred to as throw blankets, throws are just one type of blanket. Blankets can be any type of cover designed to provide warmth, and while throws are technically blankets, not all blankets are throws.”

This is from a website called Lands’ End. It’s a fair definition but not one we’re too gaga over. Here is what we’ve come up with:

Throws are what you literally can throw on a sofa, a bed, or a chair. It’s something like a blanket except it’s usually smaller and is meant to add personality to your home. 

A blanket has one major purpose: to provide you with warmth while you sleep. It is functional in nature.

Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

A throw is the more flamboyant cousin. It has many purposes and here are the major ones:

1. It is an element in your home. As mentioned earlier, it adds personality.
2. It is literally meant to be thrown around. Fold a throw? Ah-nevah!
3. Yes, it also doubles as a blanket. Something to cover yourself with while you watch Netflix or read a book or cuddle with your dog. 

A blanket, on the other hand:

1. Is a staple meant to exist in your bedroom, and more specifically, in your bed.
2. It needs to be folded!
3. It provides you with warmth. In fact, that’s its purpose.

With the definition of throws out of the way, let’s dig into what YOU can do with a throw! 

Functions of a Throw Blanket

Photo by Aiden Craver on Unsplash

You can do many things with a throw. Here are some things that come to mind:

• Sofa too plain and boring? Throw a throw.
  
  
• Need to add a pop of colour? Throw a colourful throw in!
  
  
• Like chilling in your living room but feel cold post-9 pm but don’t like dragging a blanket out every single day only to take it back? Throw.
  
  
• Want to add to that shabby chic, rustic, contemporary or bohemian vibe? There is a throw to add to each of these styles.
  
  
• Like watching scary movies but need the comfort of something during the real scary bits but you live all alone? Throw.
  
  
• Going on a camping trip and need something to wrap yourself with while gazing at the stars or sitting by the campfire? Throws.
  
  
• Require a makeshift scarf because you’re all out of scarves? Throw.
  
  
• Always wanted to wear a cape and run around the house screaming “I am the future!!!” but your blanket was far too big. Throw. Okay, no, wait.

With the exception of some of these, uhm, ideas, most of them are definitely applicable. 

 

Image by King Lip from Pixabay

Types of Throws

Before we dig into the types of throw blankets, we’re going to look into the criteria behind creating these types. 

We can divide throw blankets on the basis on what fabric they’re created from.

We can also look at the functionality of a throw blanket and take it from there.

Or we can look into the certain vibe or aesthetic a throw would fit into and go the whole home decor theorist way.

For the sake of all our sanities, we’re tried to divide the task up. 

The first criterion is on the basis of what these throws do:

 

CRITERION #1: Show throws vs. functional throws

Is your throw is meant to be just this absolutely gorgeous thing that lays perfectly curated on the arm of a beautiful sofa?

Photo by Taylor Harding on Unsplash

Or is it something that while looking good also serves the purpose of being all warm and snuggly?

Photo by Rebecca Campbell on Unsplash

You may want to go for solely the show kind of throws (what we’re calling “show throws”) if you host a lot of guests in your space. This would be a popular option in hotel lobbies and restaurants. Perhaps in a lounge too.

The question we’d like you to ask is this: will you snuggle with it?
Do you want to snuggle with it?
Do you like snuggling?
Is there any reason you can think of to not snuggle?

If your answers were: yes, yes, yes, and no, then hello, you require a functional throw. If your answers were the opposite (basically you need something that looks gorgeous and isn’t meant to be hugged by humans, dogs or cats), then to browse at some show throws you go.

Example of a show throw would be a faux fur throw that only have fur on one side. Of course, you can cuddle up with the other side, but its primary purpose is to look good. 

Silver Fox Grey Faux Fur Throw

A functional throw, on the other hand, would be a  faux fur throw that is reversible (soft faux fur on both sides) or perhaps a cotton throw. Cottons throws are great because they're light, soft against the skin, and easy to carry around.

Red Riding Hood Energy Throw and When Life Gives You Lemons Energy Throw

Which brings us to the second criterion…

 

Criterion #2: What are they made up of? 

Throws can be made of many different kinds of fabric and each one has its own pros and cons. 

Here is the major type of fabrics used to create throws:

1. Faux fur throws: We’re not believers in saving the best for the last. On our list, faux fur throws, which are all the rage in 2020, deserve to be mentioned first. They’re fun, they're decorative, they look stunning, they’re versatile, they’re vegan, and they are oh-so-soft. What is there not to love about faux fur throws?
   
   Check out the Snowy throw if your room is filled with more pastels and white. Take a look at the Silver Fox throw if you’re more about the darker tones and shades.
   

   Snowy White Faux Fur Throw

2. Cotton throws: They’re light which makes them easy to carry around. And unless you live in a cold area, they’re as great a snuggle partner as snuggle partners can be. Do not go for them if you live in a cold area. Do go for them in you live in cool areas.
   

   
   English Cottage Throw

   
   Cotton throws can be used when trying to create a shabby chic vibe.
   
   Want to learn more about what a shabby chic aesthetic means? Head to our blog on shabby chic here.
   
   
3. Fleece throws: Made of acrylic, fleece is soft and lightweight and just all-around magical. Many people prefer fleece because of these reasons.
   
   
4. Linen throws: You may not have come across many linen throws. But they are not to be neglected - especially if you live in a tropical area. Linen is a lightweight fabric. It is crunchy in nature. This natural crunching of the fabric brings with it an easy romantic kind of allure.
   
   Go for a linen throw if you’re planning on using it to cover half your bed during the day time. Or when you’d like to create a fresh lineny "Hello Mediterranean breeze" vibe!
   
   
5. Polyester throws: They’re supposedly the cheaper option. In our experience, yes, they can be, but they may not necessarily. There is, well, no such thing as a “polyester throw” because polyester is used for making so many different types of lookalike fabrics. We use to make lookalike (and feel) wool throws. They’re also used for creating sherpa blanket throws.
   Powder Blue Faux Wool Throw

(There are other fabrics throws are made of. Cashmere and wool are often common options. However, we’ve not included them in the list since we try not to promote anything that is not made with sustainable and cruelty-free fabrics.) 

All in all

Okay now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it is time to bring everything together in a nice little nugget for you. Like a fortune cookie. You open the fortune cookie and here is what it says:

It’s been an exhausting year. Snuggle up! 

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