Throws and bedspreads, materials, styling and care

The materials

A throw is a single, movable layer: something to pull over the knees or lay across the bed. A bedspread covers the whole bed and gives it a finished look. What each is made of decides how warm it feels, how it hangs and how much care it needs.

Wool

Wool fibres have a natural wave, or crimp, that holds small pockets of air and gives a woven throw its warmth and spring. Lambswool, from a sheep's first shearing, is soft and supple. Merino is fine and usually comfortable against bare skin. Coarser wools are hard-wearing and suit dense weaves such as twill and herringbone, which look good on a sofa arm for years.

Wool can take up a good deal of moisture vapour before it feels damp, so a wool throw stays comfortable when the room warms up. It also resists odours and does not need frequent washing. A wool throw adds real weight to the foot of a bed without feeling stiff.

Cotton

Cotton throws are lighter and breathe freely. The weave gives each one its character. Plain weaves look flat and crisp. Waffle weaves have small raised cells that hold a little warm air without adding weight. Jacquard looms allow detailed patterns woven into the cloth itself.

Because cotton releases heat easily, a cotton throw suits warmer months or an extra layer under a winter duvet. A heavy cotton blanket also smooths out the sheets beneath it and makes a quickly made bed look tidy.

Fleece

Fleece is a knitted polyester fabric whose surface is brushed to raise a dense, soft pile. It feels warm instantly, weighs very little and dries fast after washing. It does not take up moisture as wool and cotton do, so several layers can feel stuffy. It can also build static in dry, heated rooms and attract lint and pet hair. Fleece is at its best as a casual blanket for the sofa rather than the main cover on a bed.

Quilted bedspreads

A quilted bedspread has three layers stitched together: a face fabric, a filling of wadding and a backing. The face may be cotton, linen or velvet; the wadding may be cotton, wool or polyester. Stitching holds the layers in place so the filling does not shift. Patterns range from simple channels and diamond grids to decorative lines. Some synthetic spreads are joined by heat-bonding rather than thread, which gives a flat, stitch-free surface.

Quilting gives a bedspread more structure than a single-layer throw. It falls cleanly over the mattress edge and hides the duvet and pillows beneath it, which is why it makes a bed look so neat.

Styling and placement

Layering a bed

Start with the fitted sheet and either a flat sheet with blankets or a duvet. Lay the bedspread over the whole bed. Either take it up and over the pillows for a smooth, tailored line, or fold it back at the top so the pillowcases and the turned-down edge of the bedding show.

Fold a wool or waffle-cotton throw lengthways into a long, narrow band and lay it across the lower third of the bed. It keeps the feet warm without weighing on the chest, and on a cold night it can be opened out over the whole bed. Pairing a smooth bedspread with a textured throw adds depth without fuss, and makes it easy to adjust warmth through the night.

On the sofa

A throw on a sofa protects the upholstery from wear and everyday marks and keeps warmth within reach. On leather, lightweight throws tend to slide off; heavier wool and textured cotton grip better.

For a neat look, fold the throw in half and lay it over one arm so the edge hangs towards the floor. For something more relaxed, pick the throw up by its centre, let it fall across a corner of the seat, and tuck the loose fabric into the gap between seat and back cushion. The tuck stops it sliding away when someone sits down.

Care and storage

Each fibre needs its own routine, and the care label always comes first.

Wool needs washing far less often than most people think. A few hours on a line on a dry, breezy day freshens it. When washing is needed, use a wool detergent and the cool, gentle setting the label allows, then lay the throw flat on a towel and ease it back into shape. Hanging wet wool stretches it.

Cotton throws can usually be machine washed. Cooler programmes keep colours brighter. Line dry or use the low setting on a dryer. Quilted bedspreads are large and heavy when wet; check the label, and use a launderette's bigger machine if yours is too small for the water and fabric to move freely.

Pills on wool or fleece come off with a fabric comb or a battery de-piller used lightly. Avoid razors and blades, which can cut the yarn. Out of season, store throws and bedspreads clean and completely dry in breathable cotton bags, so moisture cannot collect and the fibres are protected from dust and moths.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose a wool throw or a cotton blanket?

Wool is warmer and handles moisture well, so it suits cold rooms and winter evenings. Cotton is lighter, breathes easily and is simpler to wash often. Many homes keep one of each.

How can I stop a wool throw from pilling?

Some pilling is normal as loose fibres work to the surface. Gentle use and washing reduce it. Remove pills with a fabric comb or de-piller drawn lightly across the surface, rather than pulling them off by hand.

How big should a bedspread be?

Measure the mattress width, length and depth, plus the height of the bed frame if you want it covered. A bedspread should cover the top and fall over the sides and foot to the length you prefer, from just past the mattress to near the floor.