If you're furnishing a bedroom or living room, you're probably thinking about adding blankets. However, all of the different styles might make it seem a little overwhelming.
That's why we've collected fourteen of the most popular blanket styles and added facts that will help you select your best option. We'll share the pros and cons, product recommendations, and information about the material used for each blanket, along with other helpful information. Continue reading for some inspiration!
1. Comforter
One of the most popular types of blanket is the comforter. They're made from two large pieces of fabric sewn together and filled with a warm material such as polyfill, down, feathers, or cotton. The outer pieces of fabric are typically made from cotton or a polyester blend that is often brushed for additional softness.
Comforters are a great topper for your bed in the winter, as they retain lots of heat without being too heavy. They're also the perfect choice if you want your bed to look fluffy and cloud-like.
Pros:
- Lots of filling makes them warmer than most of the other options on this list.
- They can be slipped into a duvet cover to quickly switch up the look of your bedroom.
Cons:
- Some types need to be dry-cleaned, particularly if they're filled with feathers or down.
- They might keep you too warm if you live in a warm climate.
- Comforters should be used with a top sheet, which some find uncomfortable.
You can easily revamp the look of your room with a comforter set like this one from Amazon. The outer layer is made from a soft brushed microfiber, while the inner layer is a goose down alternative.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
2. Throw
A throw is a small blanket primarily used for decoration, either on a bed or draped over the back of a sofa. Throws are usually made from one layer of fabric and are used to provide accent colors and additional warmth.
You could use one on top of your comforter during the winter, or cover your feet and legs while watching TV in the living room. Throws are typically knit, woven from tapestry-like material, or made from fleece, and often have fringe instead of a hemmed edge.
Pros:
- You can easily switch up the look of a bed or room by adding throw blankets in different colors.
- They're the perfect size for keeping warm in the living room.
Cons:
- They're too small to use comfortably as the primary blanket on a bed.
There are almost endless types of throw blankets available, but this throw blanket is an especially fun example!
Click here to find it on Amazon.
You could also go for a more neutral option, like this one.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
3. Duvet
Duvets are pretty similar to comforters, but there are a few key differences. Duvets are intended to be used with duvet covers, which are slipcovers that fit the duvet snugly and can easily be removed. The actual duvet looks like a white comforter and often has ties on each of the four corners to secure it to the duvet cover. They're usually filled with an insulating material such as down, feathers, polyester, or cotton.
Pros:
- Since duvet covers can be easily washed, duvets can be used without a top sheet.
- It's easy to switch up the look of your bedding by changing your duvet cover.
Cons:
- If the fit is wrong, the duvet can sometimes come loose from the duvet cover and become lumpy.
Duvets might not look very exciting on their own, but look at it as a blank canvas that can be decorated with the duvet cover of your choosing!
Click here to find it on Amazon.
4. Quilt
Quilts are a type of blanket that has been keeping beds warm for centuries. They're made from three pieces of fiber - a top, made from multiple pieces of fabric sewed together to create a design; a thin filling made of cotton or wool; and a back, usually made from one large piece of woven fabric. The distinctive stitching that holds the quilt together also forms designs.
Quilts are typically lighter weight than comforters or duvets, which makes them a great choice for warmer climates or to layer with other bed coverings. They also create a smooth, sleek look instead of the puffiness associated with comforters.
Pros:
- If you're a sweaty sleeper, quilts keep you cooler than comforters.
- Since they're lightweight, quilts are great for creating a layered look.
Cons:
- Since the stitching and layers are so fragile, quilts usually need to be dry cleaned.
This classic patchwork quilt features different contrasting fabrics and intricate stitching.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
5. Sherpa blanket
Sherpa blankets use a special lightweight synthetic material that has two distinct sides. One side is made of smooth flannel while the other one offers the plush comfort of fuzzy fleece. Sherpa blankets are a popular choice for keeping yourself warm during chilly days or nights.
Pros:
- Lightweight yet warm.
- Plush fur-like feeling thanks to the fleece.
Cons:
- Some products may wear down after extended use and washing.
Click here to see this sherpa blanket on Amazon
6. Chenille
Chenille (meaning "caterpillar" in French) blankets have a soft, dense surface that's often raised to create designs. These blankets are often made from cotton, but acrylic and rayon are other common materials. Chenille blankets give a room a vintage, retro look, as they were popular in the 1940s and 1950s.
Pros:
- Even though chenille blankets look highly decorative, they're also very warm.
Cons:
- Chenille blankets are delicate and require dry cleaning.
- Without proper care, the fibers can rub off chenille blankets and leave them looking threadbare.
As you can see in this example, chenille blankets can have beautiful colors, patterns, and textures.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
7. Cotton
Cotton blankets are woven blankets made from a single piece of 100% cotton fabric. Since cotton is hypoallergenic and highly breathable, this type of blanket is perfect for babies, young children, or anyone else with sensitive skin. They can also be used all year round - by themselves on cool summer nights or layered with other bedcovers during winter.
Pros:
- Cotton's breathability helps regulate your body temperature, making cotton blankets great for summer or if you heat easily while you sleep.
Cons:
- Cotton is a lightweight, highly breathable material, which means it's not very warm for cooler weather.
This cotton blanket features a richly textured herringbone pattern.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
8. Knit
Knitted blankets can come in many different designs, but they're all made from a single layer of richly textured knitted fabric. The knitted fabric often contains ridges that create designs and can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, wool, or acrylic. Knitted blankets can be small and suitable for use on a couch, or large enough to cover a king-sized bed. The edges are often finished with fringes or tassels for a fun, textured look.
Pros:
- Knitted blankets come in a huge variety of styles, so you're bound to find something that suits your preferences.
- If you know how to knit (or want to learn!), a blanket could be a surprisingly easy first project!
Cons:
- Knitted fabric snags easily, so knitted blankets might not be the best choice if you have pets.
This jumbo knit blanket is soft, fluffy, and dramatic, making it perfect for a living room or bedroom.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
9. Waffle Weave
Waffle weave blankets are made from a single layer of fabric that has a texture similar to the popular breakfast food. The little pockets of fabric help trap air, so even though these blankets are lightweight, they're very warm. They're perfect for adding an additional layer of warmth underneath a comforter or quilt.
Pros:
- Waffle weave blankets are often made from cotton - this material combined with the waffle weave fabric makes them warm but breathable.
- You can use waffle weave blankets alone during the summer and under other blankets in the winter for maximum versatility.
Cons:
- Even though waffle weave blankets offer a lot of warmth, they're most effective when layered under a heavier blanket.
This waffle weave blanket is 100% cotton and can be used year-round.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
10. Vellux
Vellux blankets are made from two layers of polyurethane foam bonded with soft nylon fibers. This creates a warm, long-lasting blanket that can be machine washed many times without pilling or shrinking. Vellux blankets are warm enough to be used alone, but they can also be layered under a comforter for extra heat.
Pros:
- All man-made materials make Vellux blankets extremely durable and long-lasting.
- Vellux blankets have a soft, plush-like texture that gets softer with every wash.
Cons:
- If you sweat a lot while you sleep, Vellux blankets probably aren't a good choice - foam is not very breathable.
- Since they're made entirely of man-made materials, Vellux blankets aren't the most environmentally-friendly option.
This is the original Vellux blanket, and it's available in multiple standard bed sizes.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
11. Wool blankets
For centuries, wool has been a popular choice for blankets, and with good reason. Similar to the way waffle weave blankets trap air with their tiny pockets, wool has tiny air pockets within the actual fiber. This helps keep warm air in and cold air out, which makes wool blankets good insulators but also breathable. Wool blankets can be woven or knit, and the edges are often finished with a fringe.
Pros:
- Wool blankets are ideal for use while camping since they're warm and have some water repellant capabilities.
- Since it can easily be layered, a wool blanket is a perfect bedcover to transition from fall to winter.
Cons:
- Wool feels itchy to some people, making it a poor choice for those with sensitive skin.
This beautiful wool blanket is available in multiple styles of plaid.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
12. Bamboo blankets
One of the best ways to keep your body heat regulated at night is bamboo blankets. Bamboo easily absorbs sweat and keeps warm air from your body trapped in the fibers, which keeps you dry and insulated. However, don't worry about the fact that it absorbs sweat - it's also antimicrobial and antibacterial, which means that it doesn't hold bacteria that create odors.
Pros:
- Since bamboo blankets are odor resistant, they can last longer between washes.
Cons:
- Bamboo can't be machine dried.
This bamboo blanket is lightweight and durable.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
13. Down
Down refers to soft, quill-free feathers from birds like ducks and geese, and is usually used as a filling in comforters, blankets, or duvets. These feathers are naturally designed to trap heat close to the body but are also very lightweight. This makes down a warm, comfortable filling for blankets. While down comforters are most common, down blankets are basically a thinner version of a comforter - they're great for people who find down comforters too warm.
Pros:
- Down is extremely breathable, which makes it warm without causing the sleeper to sweat.
Cons:
- Some people are allergic to feathers. However, you find a lot of excellent down alternative options made from synthetic materials.
This down comforter is made with a 100% cotton outer layer.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
14. Fleece
One of the easiest-to-find types of blanket available is the fleece blanket. Fleece blankets are usually made from a single layer of fleece fabric, which is made from polyester. This creates a soft, warm blanket that can be used on a bed above or below the main bed cover.
Pros:
- Fleece blankets are inexpensive and versatile, which means they're great for easily switching up the look of your bedroom.
Cons:
- Fleece is not very breathable, which means that fleece blankets can end up soaking in body odors.
- Due to the dry air of the winter months, fleece blankets can cause an annoying amount of static electricity.
This microfiber fleece blanket is available in a wide range of colors.
Click here to find it on Amazon.
15. Shearling
Shearling is a sheepskin that was tanned and processed with the wool still attached to the skin. This creates a fur blanket that is warm, breathable, and hypoallergenic. With proper care, a shearling blanket will become softer and more supple as it ages.
Pros:
- Shearling is antibacterial, which means that odor-producing bacteria have a hard time growing on it.
Cons:
- Some question the ethics of fur production. However, shearling is often produced as a byproduct of the meat industry.
Although Amazon doesn't offer any genuine shearling blankets, it has a wide variety of sherpa blankets (the synthetic version).
Click here to find it on Amazon.
We hope you find this list helpful. Leave us a comment to let us know what your favorite type of blanket is and why!
Hi, I think my favorite blanket is just a comforter. Do you know how I can tell if it is a comforter?