Few pieces change a room so much with so little effort as a blanket. Simply leave a throw folded at the foot of the bed or over the arm of the sofa and the space instantly looks warmer, more lived-in and more yours. And when the short November afternoons arrive, they are not just decorative: you use them every day.

Choosing the right throws and blankets is not only about colour: fabric, size, weight and where they will live all matter. In this guide we explain how to get each one right and how to place them with the ease of coastal homes, where linen, cotton and wool sit happily alongside white walls and pale wood.

Get the look

In the photo above, a dark grey throw over white bedding is all it takes to make the bedroom feel cosy. These pieces recreate the look:

ThrowBrisa Suave throwIn grey, very similar to the dark throw at the foot of the bed.

Torres NovasTavira white bedding setWashed white cotton for a bed as calm as the one in the photo.

Torres NovasSanta Luzia waffle bedspreadA light layer under the throw, in white or soft shades.

CeramicNoia white vaseSoft-shaped white ceramic, like the vase on the bedside table.

Natural fibreSet of 3 Michigan basketsTo keep magazines or a spare throw under the bedside table, as in the photo.

1. Wool, cotton or fleece: the fabric for each use

The first question is what you want it for. A sofa throw gets used and washed a lot; a bed throw is seen more than it is touched; and a terrace blanket has to cope with the night-time damp. Each use calls for a different fabric.

If you are only buying one, choose a soft plain weave in a neutral colour: it will work in the living room, in the bedroom and, when spring comes, on the porch.

Linen feelWinter Plaid Linen throwLight and plain, in six colours: the most versatile for the sofa.

Ikat weaveWinter Plaid Mallorca throwThe pattern of Majorcan ikat fabrics, in blue, stone or terracotta.

CottonSummer Plaid Menorca throwFresh and light: the one that stays out when the warm weather returns.

Recycled cottonEcorayas throwWide stripes with fringes, in blue, green or brown.

2. What size you need

Size determines how it will look. A throw that is too small looks like a handkerchief on the sofa; one that is too big will not fold gracefully. These are the references worth keeping in mind:

3. On the sofa: three ways to drape it

In the living room, a throw is both a textile and a gesture: it should look as if someone has just left it there. Forget overly perfect arrangements and try one of these three, depending on the shape of your sofa:

• Folded over the arm: in three lengthways, with the fringes facing out. The neatest option and the one that works best on straight sofas.
• Diagonally in a corner: picked up by the centre and dropped over the seat and back. It adds movement to L-shaped sofas.
• Over the back: half open, falling down behind. Ideal if the sofa stands in the middle of the room and is seen from behind.

A tip: take the colour of the throw from a cushion you already own. In the living room below, the mustard cushion calls for a throw in the same shade folded over the arm, with the blues as a base.

Get the look

A pale linen sofa, blue and mustard cushions and a fibre rug: this is how to recreate this living room, finished with a golden throw.

ThrowWinter Plaid Basics Plain throwIn gold, the same mustard tone as the cushion in the photo.

LinenGavema blue cushion coverBlue linen to echo the cushions on the sofa.

CushionMoutard cushionThe mustard touch that warms the whole look, as in the photo.

SofaAtzaró beige linen sofaBeige linen and plump cushions, very similar to the sofa in the picture.

Alfombras KPKuerda rugA beige fibre texture, like the rug peeking out under the sofa.

GlassBubbles jugTextured glass for the tray on the coffee table.

4. At the foot of the bed

At the foot of the bed, a throw does two jobs: it protects the bedding when you sit down to put your shoes on, and it gives you an extra layer within reach on cold nights. Fold it in three lengthways and place it across a third of the bed, centred and without touching the floor.

If your bedding is white, like in the bedroom on the cover, play with contrast: a dark grey, a night blue or a terracotta. If you already have a textured bedspread, choose a plain throw so as not to mix two patterns. For more ideas, see how to layer your bed with sheets, bedspreads and cushions.

Torres NovasBelmonte bedspreadTextured white cotton for the base; the throw goes on top, folded.

WaffleWinter Plaid Basics Waffle throwA honeycomb weave that keeps you warm without weight; in six colours.

5. Colour and texture: pairing it with cushions

A throw is usually the largest splash of colour you add to the living room after the sofa and the rug, so it is worth planning it together with the cushions. The simplest rule: a base colour (ecru, sand or linen), a main colour and an accent that is repeated in the throw.

Mix textures too: chunky knit with linen, herringbone with plain cotton, fleece with natural fibres. The more different fabrics within the same palette, the richer and warmer the room will look, even with just a few colours.

HerringboneWinter Plaid Espiga throwSage green or stone with ecru fringes: very easy to match.

Two-toneWinter Plaid Kalos throwTwo sides in two tones: linen, sage green, night blue or dusty pink.

Get the look

White sofa, ecru knitted throw, striped cushions and a large-leaved plant: an all-ecru scheme you can copy with these pieces.

ThrowWinter Plaid Curly throwIn natural, with a raised texture reminiscent of the knitted throw in the photo.

CottonPoza cushionEcru with stripes, in line with the cushions on the sofa.

LinenGavema ecru cushion coverA plain ecru so the throw takes centre stage.

Artificial plantTárbena tropical plantLarge leaves like the plant by the window.

6. Where to keep them on display

Throws that are out of sight are forgotten. Keeping them on display, nicely arranged, means they get used, and they decorate too. These are the prettiest ways to store them:

WoodNatural wood ladder180 cm to hang two or three throws on display.

BambooNatural bamboo ladderLighter, ideal for the bedroom or bathroom.

Get the look

A chair by the window, a cream throw and a few dried stems in a glass vase: a simple corner you can put together with these pieces.

ThrowDeluxe throwIn cream, just as soft and cosy as the one in the photo.

ThrowWinter Plaid Rennes throwIn cream, another warm option to leave on a chair.

WoodAlfarnate folding chairA folding chair to do the same as in the photo, in wood.

GlassGrasse vaseClear glass for a few dried stems, like the one in the photo.

Artificial stemBunny tail stemA dried-look sprig that lasts all winter.

7. Care and washing

A well-cared-for throw lasts many winters. Always check the label before washing, but keep these general guidelines in mind:

• Air it often: shaking it out and leaving it to air for a morning saves washing it more than necessary.
• Wool and blends: wool programme or hand wash in cold water, and dry flat.
• Cotton: machine wash at 30-40 °C; it gets even softer with every wash.
• Fringes: comb them with your fingers while damp so they do not tangle.

Frequently asked questions

Looking for more living room ideas? Take a look at our guides to choosing a sofa and choosing armchairs, or revisit autumn textiles for the living room.

At Pino & Jacaranda we believe a warm home does not need more things, but better textures: a throw of good fabric within reach, in the right place, turns any corner into a refuge.

Because winter in the south is best lived wrapped in something soft.