Now is the perfect time to get your bedroom ready for the winter season. There are so many low-cost ideas to create a warm and inviting bedroom environment, and many of them call for the use of a blanket.
You can't set up your bedroom without one, and it's especially helpful during the cold winter months when you need a good night's rest.
Because there are so many types of blankets to choose from these days, you might become overwhelmed. In this blog post, we are providing some useful information on picking out the perfect blankets for your bedroom as a way to assist you.
So, without further ado, let's get started with ‘’ what is a blanket?’’
What is a blanket?
If you've ever watched a movie while snuggled up on the sofa with a blanket, you well know how inviting it is. Blankets may be placed on top of a comforter or duvet to provide a little extra warmth, or they can be simply draped above a couch's back and give the space a stylish look. But what exactly is a blanket?
Here’s what it means, a single-layer, rectangular piece of fabric with folded ends that is used as a cover while sleeping or snuggling up is known as a "blanket."
Blankets are available in every imaginable fabric, such as wool blankets, down blankets, fleece blankets, cotton blankets and sherpa blankets. Their sizes, thicknesses, and degrees of warmth all differ from one another.
You must be wondering about the types of blankets now, right? So, let's jump straight into it.
Types of blankets
It doesn't matter what time of day it is; blankets are the comforting hugs we all need after a hectic daily routine to help us unwind and relax at home.
The types of blankets differ according to the material they are made from, and there are so many to pick up the best suitable for you. Some of the most famous blanket types are listed below with their pros and cons:
-
Comforters
Comforter is one of the most common types of the blanket. They are typically made from two huge pieces of fabric of any material such as polyfill, down, feathers or cotton.
Brushed cotton and polyester blend are generally used to make the outer layer of the comforter to give it extra softness and a comfy appearance.
For wintery nights, comforter serves as a great topper as they keep to warm and snuggle without weighing too much. Comforters are also a great choice for those who want to makeover their bed extra fluffy and cosy.
Pros:
- Heavy fillings make comforters too warm than any other blanket option out there.
- You can put on a duvet cover of your choice to quickly give an aesthetic touch to your bedroom.
Cons:
- Comforters made from feathers and down are a bit tricky to wash. You can only dry-clean them.
- Not a suitable option for people living in warmer regions.
- Comforters with toppers might feel uncomfortable.
-
Throw
It is a small blanket used mostly for aesthetic purposes, either on a bed or thrown over the backrest of a couch. Throws are often composed of a single piece of cloth and are used to give vibrancy and cosiness to a room.
To keep your feet and legs warm while watching TV, warp a throw blanket around your shoulders or put it on top of your comforter in the winter. They are commonly made by knitted, woven techniques using the tapestry-like material, often fleece, or some other light materials in a fringe style instead of hems.
Pros:
- A wide variety of colours in throws gives your bedroom or living room an uplifted look.
- Throws have a perfect size that makes it a multipurpose blanket.
- Easy to carry and lightweight.
Cons:
- It is a single person blanket that is too small to be used as a proper blanket.
-
Duvets
A Duvet is seemingly identical to comforters but features softer, warmer and thicker characteristics than a comforter. The main difference between duvet and comforter is that duvet is used with a duvet cover and comforters stand alone.
Duvets usually come in different tog ratings from 2.5 to 15, which is related to its warmth, not the weight. Duvets having a tog rate between 2.5 to 7 is ideal for the spring and summer season, while a tog rate between 7 to 15 is best for winters and autumns.
As it comes in a wide variety of options, thus it is the best type of blanket to choose from according to your climate changes.
Pros:
- Duvet is always packed in a duvet cover; thus, you can change any duvet cover of your choice to transform your bedding decor anytime you want.
- A wide variety of duvet covers allows you to mix and match with your bedroom theme.
- The use of duvet covers lessens the need of washing the duvet itself, which is really a painstaking task.
- Duvets offer more warmth, comfort and durability than any other type of blanket.
Cons:
- Putting a duvet cover on duvets might be challenging for some people.
- Duvets cannot be used without a cover.
-
Quilt
A quilt is a layered blanket having top and bottom sides made from the same fabric with different middle filling materials. The middle layer filling can be made from a variety of materials including cotton, polyester and wool.
Its three layers and distinct stitching pattern make the quilt different from other types of blankets. Quilts come in different bright, classic colours and designs that give your bedroom an immediate modernistic touch.
Pros:
- Lighter than duvet and comforters.
- Best to use for a lighter layer of comfort and warmth in winters
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Washing is quite tricky as they can be dry clean only.
-
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets, as the name indicates, are heavy in weight as they are filled with some heavy filling materials such as plastic pellet filling and glass bead filling. Weighted blankets are the perfect option for people who wants to enjoy a peaceful sleep without much tossing and turning.
These blankets are most often recommended by occupational therapists to their patients to elevate depression, anxiety or some other chronic sleeping disorders. These blankets can also be used for soothing and deep touch pleasure at the end of every night.
Pros
- Best to overcome sleeping disorders, stress and anxiety.
- Induces peaceful night sleep for better mental health.
- They are designed to give you the best weighted comforting hug while sleeping.
Cons
- Difficult to carry for travelling
- Washing and cleaning are challenging.
Things to consider before choosing the best one
There are so many different types of blankets available on the market, you might get devastated choosing the best one. Other than the type of blanket, there are some other unarguably factors that you must consider before picking up a blanket for your bedroom.
To help you out, we have mentioned some handy tip-offs that you must consider before shopping for a blanket for you.
Fabric material
When choosing a blanket for your bedroom, one of the most key considerations is what material it is made of. When there are so many choices in terms of fabric, choosing one might be difficult. The following are the most popular used blanket fabrics.
Cotton
Cotton blankets have the ability to hold up well when repeatedly washed. This obviously reduces the growth of allergens in your bedding and make it a perfect fabric choice for allergy sufferers, kids and people having sensitive skin.
Cotton blankets come in light and heavyweights, depending on the cotton weave. The other features that make it an excellent choice for winter blankets are its breathability, comforting and extra warm properties.
Wool
Wool is known for its unbeatable insulating properties. Wool blankets help keep you warm in winters and cool in summers; however, wool blankets for winters tend to be extra thick and heavy.
A wool blanket is considered a year-round sleep accessory, and it has been used in households for decades. Some people are either sensitive or allergic to wool fabric, which is its only drawback.
Down
Down blankets look similar to comforters, but actually, they are thinner, lightweight, but extremely warm. Down blanket has a fluffy insulating layer of cotton or some other material between the two inner and outer fabric layers. Being extra-warm, down blankets may cause nighttime sweating as it is not a good conductor.
Fleece
Fleece and microfleece blankets are also popular these days. They're not only soft and cushy, but they're also very lightweight. All of these characteristics make them an excellent option for babies and toddlers. In addition, lightweight fleece blankets are worth using in the warmer months.
Sherpa
For keeping out the cold and snuggling up in winters, sherpa blankets are a great choice though. These blankets are synthetically made by sherpa fabric that is designed to look like sheep wool but in reality, it is not. However, sherpa blankets are extremely warm and snug with an additional pinpoint that most of the fabrics lack in, they are super lightweight.
Synthetic fabrics
The most common types of synthetic fabrics used to make blankets are polyester and acrylic. These blankets are preferred by people who have allergic concerns with natural fabrics such as wool and cotton. Moreover, synthetic blankets are breathable, versatile and less expensive than natural ones.
Size of the blanket
The size of the blanket is another important consideration while buying a blanket for your bedroom. A few inches larger blanket than your surface area is always a better option as they are meant to cover and tuck yourself in completely.
You will find out the enormous range of blanket sizes which often vary in a few inches or centimetres. However, most commonly, blankets come in sizes of beds, making them easier for you to choose from, such as;
- Single Bed: 150 x 130 cm
- Double Bed: 200 x 150 cm
- King: 240 x 200 cm.
Pick up the right colours.
The colour choice of blankets can also make a huge difference in your overall bedroom decor. It is critical to choose a colour that fits the theme of your room and complements its ambience. Light colour blankets look decent and go perfectly well with any type of theme and room decor.
On the other hand, for a bright and vivid bedroom theme, choose vibrant and attractive colours such as burgundy, navy blue and ochre for the finishing vibe.
Best way to style your blanket
Blankets are not just meant to be used while sleeping; they may make a huge difference in styling your space in a moment. The best immediate aesthetic look you can create is by folding it up at the edge of your bed that makes your bedroom look more organized and extra textured.
A throw blanket in a bright colour will look beautiful when thrown at the back of the couch or sofa for a colour pop.
A duvet will give a tailored look to your bedding when properly tucked in at the end of the mattress into your bed.
Beyond that, the blanket is not just a functional accessory to use on your bed all the time, you can use or carry it anywhere you want.
Moreover, to jazz up the look of the entire living room, you can sling it over a couch or lay it over an accent chair in the corner of your study room for more warm and cosy vibes in winter.
The bottom line
Despite the type of blanket you choose, all that matters is the level of warmth, comfort and relaxation it is offering while in use.
Better yet, if you want something more functional, you can go for a wool and down blanket. On the other hand, fleece blankets are a quick and easy way to bring a room together in both, aesthetic and warm way.
Imperial Rooms offers a wide variety of blankets to fit any home's style and decor. Alternatively, you may visit our blanket collection to discover the right blanket for you.
Faqs.
How are blankets made?
Blankets are made by employing weaving or knitting techniques on looms using the fabric of your choice. The most common type of fabrics used in blanket manufacturing is acrylic, polyester, cotton and wool.
How a blanket keeps you warm?
Blankets are crafted with warm fabrics with good insulating properties that slow down the heat transfer thus, the body gets warm easily in blankets.
Why is blanket important?
Quite simply, the blanket is important in lower temperatures to keep the body warm and snuggly. Additionally, lower body temperatures boost up the serotonin and melatonin levels in the blood that lets you enjoy a night of peaceful and relaxed sleep.
Which blanket is good for winter?
Being providing extra warmth and comfort, fleece blankets and sherpa blankets are best to use in winters.
Which blanket is best for heavy winter?
Wool and cotton blankets are great to use in heavy winters because of their unbeatable insulating properties.
Will blankets raise your temperature?
It really depends on the type of blanket you are using. Blankets are meant to block out the heat transfer that might raise body temperatures as well. So get dressed lightly and choose a blanket according to the climate.
Can a blanket be washed in a washing machine?
Lightweight blankets up to 20 pounds can be washed in a machine using a gentle cycle and mild detergent. But heavy blankets cannot be washed in washing machines. They either be hand washed or dry clean.
Where to buy blankets?
The imperial rooms has a vast range of blankets to buy online. You will find out high-quality blankets at affordable prices on our website.
