If you're strapped for time, space or cash there's a quick, easy way to uplift your entire bedroom by just adding one item: a throw or blanket at the end of the bed. Don't underestimate how powerful this simple punch of personality can be; it really can change the whole look of a space.
This is perfect for those who are renting and can't do a lot of permanent things to their bedroom, and also great for those folks who want to change the look of things in their space a lot. Hardly a new idea, there's more to it than just throwing a blanket at the end of your bed without thinking about it. Of course the color and pattern will affect the look of your space, but how you throw it can affect it, too. Casually drape it over the whole end of your bed or just a corner for a casual feel to the room. Fold it into a wide strip or a narrow strip for a modern look. Experiment with layering blankets for a sophisticated, bohemian look. We spotted some fun pops of colors, patterns and styles at the end of beds in some Apartment Therapy house tours:
1) Mixing geometry and color at Erin's Warm & Wood-Wrapped Austin Bungalow
2) Simple and modern stripes at Charley & Jessica's "Patina Clean"
3) A subtle hint of a color and a casual feel at Alison's Modern Rustic Mar Vista Home
4) Bold pattern on pattern at Lisa & Piero's English Inspired Los Feliz Home
5) Sleek fold and ethnic print at Ashley & Kyle's Personality Packed Home
Are you a throw at the end of the bed kind of person? What sort of color or pattern do you have at the end of yours? Or do your prefer a clean and simple, blanket-at-the-end free bed?
(Images: 1. Adrienne Breaux, 2. Leela Cyd Ross, 3. Bethany Nauert, 4. Marcia Prentice, 5. Adrienne Breaux)
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I'm a fan. It somehow anchors the bed and ties things together, plus it's easy to switch out when you want to add some new color or pattern.
AND they can be toasty extra blankets when needed as well!
I have a room based in aquas and robin's egg blues. My throw is fluffy white fake fur. If I have achey muscles, it's like a heating pad! My cats love it too -- maybe they think it's a very quiet relative!
The hot new trend among quilters is the bed scarf or bed runner. it's a long, narrow quilt inteded to add color/design just to the foot of the bed -- sorta like a table runner. They're a good place to try an elaborate pattern that would be overwhelming in a bed-sized quilt.
I have a white quilt as a bedcover and a throw at the end of the bed is pretty much MANDATORY. Right now its a black & colorful granny square afghan my great-grandmother made. It ties in with my sheets (a rotation of colorful solids), and provides a safe place to drop my purse, shopping, etc. (I live in a studio and the bed is near the entry). It also protects the bed from my darling cats.
Best things about throws at the foot of your bed-
- size doesn't matter, you can use 'throws' or 'twin size' blankets on a full size bed
- or if you want to hand-make an afghan or quilt, you don't have to make a giant 90x90 one!
- rotation of the same throw- I can refold mine a few times to get a 'clean' (no cat hair) side before having to wash it
- rotation of style- easy to have more than one and switch it out
I have a vintage child's duvet cover at the foot of my bed. It's a wonderful pattern, and I love it! My bedding is all-white so it really pops with the green and yellow color scheme.