How to choose a throw: materials, sizes and styling

The best throw for a sofa is one large enough to wrap up in, about 130 x 170 cm at least, in a material that suits how you use it: cotton or linen for most of the year, wool or faux fur for real winter warmth. For a bed, choose a throw wider than the mattress so it drops over both sides. Here is how the materials compare, and what size to buy for a sofa or a single, double or king bed.

Throw materials compared

The material decides how warm a throw is, how it hangs and how easy it is to look after.

Linen

Linen is cool to the touch, breathable and slightly textured, with natural slubs in the weave. Washed linen falls in soft creases, gets softer with every wash and lasts for years.

The downside is warmth: linen is a layer rather than a blanket, better for spring to autumn, or for covering a sofa, than for a January night. The Iwakuni pure linen sofa throw is 100% linen, washed for a soft, creased finish, with no fringe or print. It comes 180 cm wide in lengths from 180 cm up to 380 cm, so the longest sizes can cover a whole sofa, back, seat and arms.

Cotton gauze

Gauze, also called muslin, is a very light, open cotton weave. Several layers stitched together trap air between them, so a gauze throw is surprisingly warm for its weight while staying breathable. It has a soft crinkle that never needs ironing.

The Shimabara cotton gauze throw is the throw we recommend most often. It is four layers of 100% cotton gauze, puckered into a light crinkled texture, with a short fringe and yarn dyed colours in muted, earthy shades: plum, dark olive, brown, off white, charcoal and sage. It comes in 130 x 170 cm for the sofa, or 200 x 230 cm as a bedspread or full sofa cover, and it is machine washable on a gentle cycle. It works on a sofa and on a bed, in winter and in summer.

Cotton knit

Knitted cotton throws, such as cable and waffle knits, are soft and cosy without being hot. Heavier knits can stretch if hung wet, so dry them flat.

The Isahaya cable knit throw is 100% cotton knit with rows of twisted cables, in cream, grey or camel, at 110 x 180 cm or 180 x 200 cm. For something lighter, the Yufu cotton waffle throw has a knitted waffle texture in large squares, at 100 x 150 cm or 150 x 200 cm.

Wool

Wool is the warmest natural choice. It insulates well and keeps you warm without the clammy heat of some synthetics, and a good wool blanket has a comforting weight.

The trade offs are price and care, as wool generally needs a wool wash or dry cleaning, and some people find it scratchy on bare skin. The Hakusan wool blanket is a heavy, plain blanket with a brushed surface and a wide satin binding, in camel in 100% wool or cream in 70% wool and 30% cashmere, which is softer again. It comes in 150 x 200 cm, 180 x 200 cm and 200 x 230 cm.

Faux fur

Faux fur is the most indulgent option: a deep, soft pile that is very warm in winter. It can feel too warm for much of the year and is less breathable than cotton, linen or wool. Follow the care label, as heat can damage the pile.

The Hokuto faux fur throw is a thick double layer blanket with a long, dense pile in soft horizontal ribs, in cream, camel, taupe or grey. Its smallest size, 160 x 200 cm, is generous enough to wrap up in on the sofa, while 180 x 200 cm and 200 x 230 cm will lie across a bed.

Chenille

Chenille is a tufted yarn with a soft, velvety surface. Chenille throws are warm and drape well, but they can pick up pet hair and may snag on claws.

The Kibi chenille sofa throw is woven in a fine herringbone with a short fringe, and has a non slip finish on the back to help it stay in place on a sofa. It is 180 cm wide in 230, 260 and 300 cm lengths, large enough to cover a whole sofa, and it is machine washable.

What size throw for a sofa?

A throw to wrap up in, or to fold over one arm or across the seat, should be about 130 x 170 cm or larger. Anything much smaller, like 100 x 150 cm, suits an armchair or a lap rather than two people.

A throw to cover the whole sofa needs to be much bigger. Measure the sofa from the floor at the back, over the back and seat, to the floor at the front: that is the width the throw needs, usually around 180 cm. Then measure from floor to floor over both arms for the length. For most two seaters that is around 230 to 260 cm, and for a three seater 260 to 300 cm or more.

What size throw for a bed?

A bed throw is normally laid across the foot of the bed, folded in half or in thirds, so the length of the throw runs from side to side across the mattress. For it to drop over both sides, it should be the mattress width plus at least 50 cm.

For a UK single bed, 90 cm wide, a throw of 130 x 170 cm or 150 x 200 cm laid across the foot works well. For a double, 135 cm wide, choose a throw at least 190 cm long, so 150 x 200 cm or 180 x 200 cm. For a king, 150 cm wide, a throw of 200 cm or more works across the foot, and for a super king, 180 cm wide, look for 230 cm.

If you want the throw to cover the whole bed as a bedspread, you need a much bigger size, roughly 200 x 220 cm or more for a double. The Hanno cotton linen bed throw is made for this: a cotton and linen blend washed to a soft crinkle, in 150 x 200 cm or 200 x 220 cm, which works as a foot of bed throw or a light coverlet.

How to style a throw on a sofa

The simplest look is the most natural: fold the throw in half lengthways and lay it over one arm so it falls onto the seat, within reach. Or fold it into a long rectangle along the back cushions.

Pick a throw that contrasts in texture with the sofa, such as gauze or knit on a smooth linen sofa, and repeat its colour in a cushion or rug. Our Japandi living room ideas have more on layering textures.

How to style a throw on a bed

Fold the throw in thirds lengthways and lay it across the bottom third of the bed, so it covers the foot of the duvet and drops evenly over both sides. It protects the duvet and adds a layer to pull up on a cold night. See our Japandi bedroom ideas for more.

How to care for a throw

Check the care label first. As a general guide:

• Linen and cotton gauze: cool to warm gentle wash, line dry, no ironing needed
• Cotton knit: gentle cool wash, reshape and dry flat so it does not stretch
• Wool: air it often, spot clean, and wash only on a wool cycle or dry clean
• Faux fur and chenille: gentle cool wash, no high heat, shake out to lift the pile

Our guide to washing and caring for linen goes into more detail for linen throws. For more throws and blankets, see our linen bedding and throws and textiles collections, and our guide to making your home cosy for winter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best material for a throw?

For year round use, cotton gauze or linen, which are breathable and easy to wash. For winter warmth, wool is the best natural choice and faux fur the warmest synthetic.

What size should a sofa throw be?

At least 130 x 170 cm if you want to wrap up in it or drape it over an arm. To cover a whole sofa, you need about 180 cm wide and 230 to 300 cm long, depending on the size of the sofa.

What size throw do I need for a double bed?

A UK double mattress is 135 cm wide, so a throw at least 190 cm long, laid across the foot of the bed, will drop over both sides. 150 x 200 cm and 180 x 200 cm are both good sizes.

Are linen throws warm?

Linen throws are a light layer rather than a warm blanket. They are comfortable from spring to autumn, and in winter work best layered with wool or faux fur.