The sofa blanket combines several functions. This product often alternates between the roles of a bedspread, a furniture cover, and sometimes a blanket. Therefore, it is very important that the blanket is pleasant to the touch and practical. A correctly selected piece of home textile can make significant changes to the interior of a room, refresh the appearance of familiar furniture and provide comfort.
The range of blankets for the sofa is very wide. Depending on the size and shape of your furniture, as well as personal preferences and the purposes for which the cover will be used, you can choose the appropriate model and color of a product made from natural or synthetic fibers.
Types of sofa blankets and their features
For a respectable corner sofa in the living room or a compact ottoman in the hallway, different models of blankets are suitable. When choosing, you need to focus on the size and shape of the sofa, taking into account what additional functions the blanket will perform.
Classical
A classic blanket has a standard rectangular shape. Most often, such products correspond to dimensions of 140x200 or 150x200 cm. They can be easily thrown over the sofa as a cover to protect the upholstery from dirt, to hide while sleeping, to lay on the floor for children's games, and even compactly packed into a bag for a family picnic.
This option is often used for small sofas, beds or armchairs. But without additional fastening, the classic blanket that serves as a bedspread will have to be constantly adjusted, especially if the sofa is made of smooth material.
Photo: Blanket on the sofa
With elastic band
Textiles with elastic sewn around the edges act as a furniture cover and effectively protect the covering from dirt and mechanical influences.
An elastic band allows you to easily and securely attach the blanket to the sofa and not worry about the cover falling or moving at the most inopportune moment. If necessary, it can be removed and washed.
In addition, such blankets perform an aesthetic function. They allow you to radically change the appearance of the sofa by choosing a style and color that suits the decor. A sofa cover can “revive” old furniture, hiding scuffs and imperfections.
On the corner sofa
Blankets for corner sofas differ in size and cut. Often the choice of a cape is complicated by the non-standard shape of the furniture. If the sofa consists of several sliding parts, you can purchase a set of identical (or even several different) blankets for each component. But if the sofa is a solid structure, europlaids come to the rescue. They are often equipped with an elastic band that allows you to securely fix the cape and give it the desired shape. High-quality products, correctly selected in size, do not change their characteristics after washing and retain an attractive appearance for a long time.
Photo: Fluffy grass blanket on the corner sofa
Purpose of covers
A sofa blanket is one of the popular decorative elements and provides reliable protection for your furniture.
Why do you need to buy a sofa blanket? Its main purpose is to perform several essential functions.
- Reliable protection against mechanical damage and premature wear. The use of covers will extend the service life of upholstered furniture for decades. Factory upholstery will retain its attractiveness and integrity.
- Warming. In the cold season, genuine leather upholstery will not provide warmth. Such material is not always pleasant to the touch during cold weather. A soft, warm blanket on the sofa will make the relaxation process more comfortable.
- Room interior decoration. A high-quality, stylish bedspread always decorates the living space. With its help, you can bring something new and original into the usual home design. A wide variety of sofa bedspreads in stores will allow you to choose a product to suit any style.
A chic soft and fluffy blanket will warm you in winter and become a real interior decoration.
By fabric type
The material for the first classic blankets was most often wool. But today, synthetic fibers are winning more and more positions from natural fabrics among home textiles. They are easy to care for, they are pleasant to the touch and perform well under constant use.
Fur
Faux fur products are a humane way to become the owner of a soft and fluffy cozy blanket. Synthetic fibers are attached to the fabric base using heat treatment. The blanket can be selected depending on the desired thickness and length of the fur. There are plain and patterned color options, as well as artificial products that imitate the fur of a real animal. The main characteristics of fur blankets are:
- high hygroscopicity and heat capacity;
- strength;
- exclusive appearance.
Fur blankets can create comfort even in the coldest room. The disadvantages of these products include the need for constant cleaning: dust can accumulate in the fibers, which is best removed with a vacuum cleaner. The cleaning process can be complicated if there are animals in the house.
Jacquard
The main feature of this fabric is the presence of a large pattern. The material for jacquard blankets can be linen, wool, cotton or synthetics. Blankets for a sofa made of jacquard have the following advantages:
- practicality;
- aesthetics;
- ability to retain heat;
- resistance to washing.
Among the various jacquard capes, you can choose a product with a single- or double-sided pattern, with small or large pile.
Tapestries
These blankets combine beauty and practicality. Most often, cotton is used in combination with polyester to make tapestry fabric. Such blankets can consist of several layers and have decorative designs on one or both sides. The positive aspects of the tapestry include:
- environmental friendliness of the fabric;
- variety of design solutions;
- wear resistance;
- no need for additional insulation.
Such a product should be handled carefully: production technology with a strong weave of threads does not always allow stains to be removed from the fabric without leaving a trace.
Cotton
Perfect for those who prefer natural fabrics. Cotton products are very pleasant to the touch and have the following characteristics:
- ability to pass air;
- hypoallergenic;
- practicality.
A cotton blanket will not only protect the furniture upholstery from external influences, but will also warm and provide comfort in the apartment.
Velor
The short pile of velor makes it soft and pleasant. At the same time, such a coating does not attract dust and dirt. Thanks to the high density of the fabric, the products keep their shape well. Velor blankets are available in a wide variety of colors and decorative designs. This cover will give your sofa a chic look.
Plush
To make plush, wool and cotton, as well as viscose fiber, are used. The result is a fabric with a high, smooth pile that looks like shiny wool. The advantages of this material are:
- strength;
- ability to retain heat and shape;
- color stability.
A plush blanket can accumulate dust and is difficult to clean, so it is best not to use it for kitchen furniture.
From Alize Puffy
Alize Puffy is a special type of yarn produced in Turkey. Hand-knitted blankets are extremely delicate and soft. The yarn allows you to create products with unusual textures and a variety of large patterns. Such blankets are often used in children's rooms.
Terry
Cozy terry blankets vary in length and softness of the pile. Such fabrics retain their shape, are durable and wear-resistant. They have a light massage effect. Blankets can be cleaned and washed.
Woolen
Natural material warms well, absorbs moisture and allows air to pass through. Advantages of a wool blanket:
- does not accumulate static electricity;
- does not require frequent cleaning.
Some products may prick. Natural wool is difficult to dye, so it is better to choose blankets in natural colors.
Colors and textures
The colors and texture of the fabric can be selected in accordance with the interior and decor of the room or based on personal preferences. Modern textile stores provide the buyer with a wide palette of colors.
- Plain plaids are suitable for discreet, minimalist interiors. For the bedroom, discreet pastel colors are suitable, and for the living room you can choose deep shades. A plain blanket can become a bright color accent in the decor of a room.
- One of the classic colors of a blanket is check. Checkered capes will be relevant both in a strict atmosphere and on a cozy kitchen sofa. You can choose matching details, such as cushion covers, napkins or curtains.
- Modern synthetic materials allow you to apply a design to almost any blanket. Stylish tapestry bedspreads with patterns will be a good addition to the living room, and the nursery can be decorated with soft colored blankets with cheerful designs.
The density of the fabric should be selected depending on how you use the blanket for the sofa. Dense fabrics, such as tapestry or jacquard, hold their shape well and perform well under constant intensive use. For hot summer weather, it is better to choose thin, weightless capes made from natural fabrics that do not cause excessive sweating.
But for cold autumn and winter evenings, soft fluffy faux fur blankets are perfect. They warm perfectly, are pleasant to the touch and create an atmosphere of comfort in the house. Fur blankets will fit well in the bedroom, but for the kitchen it is better to choose products with short pile, for example, velor covers with elastic.
For a stylish modern living room interior, a cube quilted blanket is suitable. The pattern creates the effect of three-dimensional figures directly on the fabric.
Secrets to successfully choosing a bedspread
Models in neutral tones will fit into an interior with colorful bright colors. Do the walls have a uniform surface? Bright colored textiles are your option! The color of the walls and bedspreads should be harmonious, but not merge.
The color of the furniture upholstery and the material used to create interior items should be taken into account. Textiles are just an accessory, designed in the same style as the interior, furniture and other elements.
In spacious rooms it is acceptable to use all colors, but for small rooms you should not buy bright textiles. It will make the room even smaller. The color of the curtains does not have to match the bedspread. This style of decoration is only supported in offices and executive offices.
Neutral textile tones are a universal option for any interior style . These are pastel colors that will fit into the overall style and will not be conspicuous. The tone of parquet flooring, suspended ceilings, walls, furniture are the main criteria that are worth remembering in a home textile store. This is a simple solution for the interior of a city apartment and a country cottage.
You can add bright accents using a contrasting color bedspread. Red and darker colors are ideal for an extraordinary interior. But this style will get boring after 2-3 months. Therefore, choose neutral textile colors to create harmony in your home and maintain a consistent design style.
Blanket size for sofa
Classic rectangular blankets most often have a standard size of 140x200 cm. They are convenient to use not only as a throw on a small sofa, but also as a blanket. For small armchairs they produce blankets 130x170 cm.
Euro sizes for large sofas and beds are most often represented by the ratio 180x220, 220x240 or 240x260 cm. Blankets for sofas of non-standard sizes can be cut or sewn to your own measurements in the studio.
For children's sofas, small textiles 75x100, 90x120 or 110x140 cm are suitable.
A correctly selected size will allow you to cover the sofa beautifully, avoiding unnecessary unevenness and overhanging corners that are too long.
Sample classification
The textile industry classifies bedspreads according to the nature of their purpose. This is how blankets exist:
- for household use (on a chair, bed);
- on the road (they are used for picnics and various recreational activities);
- children's (for newborns - these are knitted items, for older children - these are bedspreads that cover both the children themselves and their sleeping place).
Today, modern people value practicality in things. That is why bedspreads perform not just one function, but several at once. From this point of view, it is important that the blanket is simultaneously:
- beautiful and exclusive;
- warm;
- soft and fluffy;
- strong and durable;
- safe for adults and children;
- lightweight and easy to care for.
How to choose a blanket for a sofa
Choose a furniture cover according to what time of year you are going to use it, how many people live in your house, and whether you have pets.
A blanket with long fluffy pile is an impractical solution for a sofa where children often eat cookies or where a cat likes to sleep. This product will have to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner very often. It is better to choose a blanket with a smooth surface that is resistant to stains.
For a room where there are a lot of people or children constantly playing, it is better to choose a blanket with an elastic band so that you do not have to constantly adjust it. An elastic cover is also suitable for the kitchen: it will reliably protect the upholstery from accidental dirt.
In a home where allergy sufferers live, it is better to use products made from natural fabrics, avoiding synthetics.
Where can I buy
The blanket can be purchased both in textile stores in your city and through online stores of home products and bedding.
Online sellers, as a rule, organize delivery of goods within the country, and sometimes abroad. Prices from such entrepreneurs are usually lower than in regular stores. A significant disadvantage is the fact that the product cannot be touched and checked before purchase, and the quality and appearance in the photo may differ significantly from reality. Choose trusted stores with a lot of positive reviews.
Interesting ideas
It is not at all necessary to buy a blanket in a store, scour endless shelves for hours and settle on a single material.
An unusual, stylish and even somewhat avant-garde design with a special twist that characterizes the personality of the owner will help you create handmade blankets.
The most common ideas are knitting and patchwork. So, you can collect old things and fabric scraps and sew a colorful, unusual and bright blanket for your sofa yourself, combining fabrics at your discretion.
Knitting blankets is also quite a fascinating activity, because sometimes the process is so addictive that from very simple “braids” and “stitches” people move on to complex patterns and create real masterpieces. A handmade blanket is an expression of your individuality.
How to beautifully cover a sofa with a blanket
To make the cover look neat, it is important to select a blanket in accordance with the size of the sofa. An excellent solution would be products with elastic bands that will securely secure the case.
How to secure a blanket on the sofa so it doesn't slip
Classic throw blankets can often slide off the back of the sofa, especially if the furniture is made of leather or other smooth material. To avoid this, you can fasten the cape using loops and buttons. Large buttons can become an additional decorative element.
Another solution could be braid sewn along the edges of the blanket. If the back of the sofa is exposed, you can use a wide fabric ribbon tied in a bow at the back to secure the blanket.
A beautiful and comfortable blanket will become a multifunctional element in your home textile collection. Choose the material and color to suit your taste, and a stylish blanket for the sofa will delight your household and guests of your apartment for a long time.
Assortment of materials for sewing
The breadth of the range of home textiles is achieved through the use of different textures, materials, colors, styles, and decor. Any available fabric can be used for sewing. Her choice will depend on the style of the interior and your budget. Models made of velvet, wool, tapestry, cotton and linen are on sale. More expensive - silk and fur are less common.
Bedspreads are sewn from both solid pieces of material and scraps in the popular “patchwork” style. You can buy a blanket made of padding polyester, natural fur and Chinese silk. Cotton and linen are valued for their practicality and durability.
You can diversify your interior with several bedspreads in different styles. While washing one of them, cover the sofa with beautiful textiles in a different style. For example, you should look at thematic photos on the Internet.