Blankets and throws

A perfectly relaxing evening: Sitting on the sofa, surrounded by throw pillows, wrapped in cosy blankets and throws is the perfect way to leave everyday life behind. Depending on the material, a blanket can be a light summertime throw, serve a decorative purpose, or offer cosy warmth on a cold winter night. It adds cosiness to any home and helps to create a calm atmosphere.

Tasteful and homely: Furnishing a comfortable home

The aromatic fragrance of scented candles, a crackling fire place and a sofa with a cuddly blanket - who does not feel comforted by this idea? Of course, everybody has their own preferences: Some think of throw pillows as unnecessary dust traps, while other people can never have enough and will cover their entire sofa in them.

Throws are decorative blankets that come in a range of striking colours, patterns and with attractive fringes. Blankets, on the other hand tend to be larger and heavier.

Throws have their origin in Scotland where they are now available in many modern varieties as well as various lengths and widths. However, they generally tend to be rather small and are made from thin material, making them suitable year-round home accessories that radiate cosiness.

Which blankets have the best warming properties?

As a home accessory, to protect bedlinen or as a cosy sofa blanket in the evening: Soft and fluffy blankets are designed to keep the body warm while colourful throws will add a modern touch to the living room. The following materials are most commonly used:

• Fleece
  This material is perfect for winter bedspreads that are soft and warm. Blankets and throws made of fleece are very lightweight and they can be easily machine washed, making them especially suitable as baby blankets: Removing stains is not an issue.
• Wool
  They can absorb vast amounts of moisture and they have excellent warming properties: Blankets and throws made from wool feature climate regulating properties that make them suitable for any time of year. Cashmere and alpaca are among the warmest materials and their fibres are very lightweight and fine.
• Synthetic fibres
  Blankets made from synthetic fibres like polyester are very robust and easy to care for. Their appearance is similar to high-quality wool blankets but they tend to be thinner, making them ideal decorative throws.
• Cotton
  Scratchiness is a thing of the past - cotton throws are soft and pleasant to the touch. These throws are also made from very durable fabric that is ideal for children as it can be cleaned easily.
• Silk
  The natural material features temperature balancing properties and makes for blankets and throws that feel cool in summer and are keeping the body warm on cold winter days. The flowing fabric feels light and supple against the skin and it is said to have a calming effect.

For people suffering from allergies it is important to consider material composition. They are usually on the save side with silk, as there are no known allergies against this material - this means that a high degree of living comfort is guaranteed.

Tips for cleaning woollen blankets

As warm as woollen blankets and throws may be, they require careful handling and cleaning can be a challenge. If you want to be on the save side you should opt for dry cleaning to protect the sensitive fibres.

However, if you would rather take care of cleaning yourself, make sure that woollen blankets are only washed at low temperatures. Washing them by hand and using a gentle wool detergent is recommended as this will protect the natural fibres of throws - the spin cycle should be avoided at all cost.

Blankets, throws and cushions for a homely interior

Accessories for the home are a great way to create a beautiful home according to your personal taste. Minimalist or extravagant: Blankets and throws can change the look of your interior décor, creating a home with a feel-good ambiance. In addition to blankets, there are other types of bedding and textiles.

Protective and convenient

No matter how beautiful a sofa may be - after a while you get used to its appearance and may wish for a little more variety. A throw cover is a handy solution as an alternative to buying a new piece of furniture: These are particularly large blankets that cover the entire sofa to create a new look. They also protect expensive furniture from abrasion and soiling.

Another option is to only cover certain areas: Sofa covers prevent abrasion of the seating area, while armrest covers provide protection for the side panels of a chair.

These may also be equipped with convenient side pockets that can hold, for example, a mobile phone or a pair of glasses. So these no longer need to be placed on the armrest, where they are at risk of falling to the ground. A cover will provide protection for the material and at the same time it can be used for decorative purposes.

Cushions for favourite spots

Cushions that match blankets and throws can work wonders: They are decorative and will adorn the sofa but they are practical, too. Whether it be a short midday nap or relaxation in the evening: They fill in gaps and make hard edges disappear.

They can also be used as comfortable seating cushions, protecting the furniture material and providing seating comfort. A wide range of cushions allows for them to be coordinated with blankets and throws to create that essential feel-good atmosphere at home.

Modern living trend: Fluffy materials

Blankets and throws made from wool are not only warm and cosy they also have a very attractive appearance. They are usually made from cashmere, alpaca or merino wool: Blankets made from fluffy fabric feature excellent climatic properties and are therefore comfortable in summer as well as in winter.

Micro fibres with a delicate sheen are a popular choice for modern interior design: The blankets can be arranged decoratively on the sofa or an upholstered chair - or they can even be used on chairs and stools to add an adorning and homely element. This allows for a plain piece of furniture to be turned into a fluffy eye-catcher that is pleasant to the touch and radiates warmth. Fluffy micro fibres in various colours are a convenient and easy to care for alternative to blankets and throws made from pure wool.