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Tartan Throw Blankets: Functional Decor for the -Ber Months
It’s no secret that we love a throw blanket. We layer them in year-round for warmth, texture, and pattern — it really is the ultimate functional decor piece. In the warmer months we stick to lighter-weight knits in softer colors, but once fall rolls around, we reach for the hero of fall styling: the tartan (or plaid) throw blanket.
Throw Blankets as Functional Decor
We use the term “functional decor” a lot to describe anything in our home that pulls double duty, serving a purpose while adding visual interest. A throw blanket is probably the most common example, but it’s worth asking: what is this throw actually adding to the room? If the answer is “not much,” look for one with a bit of color or a pattern that plays well with the others in the space. We swap our throws seasonally because it’s such an easy way to bring in seasonal color and pattern. There’s nothing more fall than plaid, and tartan has long been a holiday classic.
How to Style a Plaid Throw
We tend to prefer something a little more polished and tailored than the casually tossed look. Fold your throw in thirds lengthwise so the outer edges are tucked out of sight. From there, drape it over the end of a bed or across the back (or seat) of a sofa. Or fold it in half the other way and hang it over the arm of a sofa or chair. We also love a throw across a bench, draped perpendicular to the seat.
Tartan Throws That Transition From Fall to the Holidays
If you want to invest in one high-quality throw that carries you through both seasons, look for burgundy, deep red, forest green, and navy. Rust and mustard lean heavily into fall, while bright red reads as solidly holiday.
Our Favorite Tartan Throw Blankets
We rounded up tartan throws that work for fall, for the holidays, and often for both. They come in a range of price points, from luxury wool plaid throws to budget-friendly finds.
We use our throws most in the bonus room, where we watch TV and movies as a family. There are more of us than there are throws styled in the room, so we just added this traditional quilt rack to keep the extras close by. It looks beautiful layered with different plaids, and everyone can grab a blanket whenever they need one.
