Learn how to drape a throw on a couch the easy way with these 12 stylish draping ideas. Each idea comes with simple-to-follow instructions and an example picture!

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Styling throw blankets on your couch is a super easy way to add style to your living room.

Not only do throw blankets add a coziness factor, but they also give you the opportunity to add more colors and textures to your space!

But figuring out how to drape or display them on your couch can be tricky, so in today’s post we’re going to review 12 super easy (and stylish!) ways to place throws on couches.

If you’ve tried to hang blankets on couches before and felt like they never looked right, this post will give you the confidence you’re looking for to style them like a pro.

YOU WILL ALSO LOVE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STYLING SHELVES

How to Put a Throw on a Couch FAQ

How do you drape a throw over a couch?

There are a few styling decisions you need to make before you drape your throw:

Do you want a folded drape or a casual drape? Folded drapes are more formal and look sophisticated, while casual drapes are less put-together and look cozy. Consider which would look better with the rest of your decor style.
Where do you want it to drape? Consider what part of your couch you want covered by your throw. This could be over the back, the arm, from the top of the back down to the floor, just on the seat, etc.

Once you’ve decided the type and location of your throw blanket’s drape, you can decide how to style a throw blanket on your couch!

Looking for easy-to-follow steps for draping them? Read below for instructions on my favorite 12 throw blanket draping ideas!

How do you make a throw on a couch look good?

What looks “good” is up for interpretation, but when designers style a throw on a couch they typically shoot for one of two looks – nicely folded or purposefully draped.

How to Fold Blankets for Draping

To fold a throw blanket with the purpose of draping it on the couch, you want to fold it in a way that the edges are folds, rather than the actual edge of the blanket.

To do this you can fold it in either thirds or fourths, depending on the finished width you desire.

When folding it into thirds, begin by folding one third in, then the second third in, both on top of the middle third. That way, when you fold it down it will have folds on both sides.

For folding it into fourths, fold each of the outer fourths in to the middle line then fold it in half along that middle line. One edge will have two folded edges and the other just one.

Be sure to do this the long-way on blankets with fringe or edging, as those details are typically on the short edge and you don’t want to hide them!

How to Drape it The Right Way

The key to draping a blanket on a couch in a way that looks nicely styled is to allow it to fall in such a way that doesn’t look intentional.

When you place your blanket draped over the back or arm, don’t group it up in your hands and try to help it lay a certain way. Simply grab the end or middle of the throw and lightly “toss” it onto the couch.

Then you can go back and adjust parts that look too wild, are showing the wrong side of the throw, or need to be tucked in to line the contours of your couch.

The other thing to consider when draping your throw blanket is how close to the ground you want your blanket to go.

For folded drapes, you likely don’t want the blanket to extend past the bottom of your couch.

For casual drapes, you can be a little more carefree and let the blanket graze the ground if you want.

How do you display a blanket on a couch?

Here are my 12 favorite ways to style a throw blanket:

Casual Corner Drape
Tidy Corner Fold
Low Fold Over the Arm
Cozy Arm Drape
Formal Waterfall Fold
Informal Waterfall Drape
Full Fold on Seat
Gathered on Seat
Stylish Back Cover
Laying Near the Feet
Tucked in a Basket
Hung on a Ladder

You can click on one from this list and be taken to that section where I explain in detail how to display the blanket that way or simply scroll down to see them all.

12 Ways to Place a Throw on a Couch

For a printable copy of these ideas, scroll down.

Items Needed:

SHOP MY FAVORITE THROW BLANKETS:

SHOP MY FAVORITE THROW PILLOWS:

12 Ideas for How to Drape a Throw on a Couch

1. Casual Corner Drape

This is definitely my favorite way to drape a throw on a couch because the fact that the blanket isn’t actually folded gives it an unkept feel that welcomes you to snuggle in!

Close up of the side of a couch with a cream, fluffy throw blanket draped from the top down to the front.

How to Style:

Grab one corner of your blanket and lay it behind the top of the seat in the corner of your sofa.

Drape the rest of the blanket down, over the back cushion, onto the seat cushion and then down towards the floor.

Gently tuck the blanket back so it is tight along the contours of the sofa cushions and be sure to let any fringe or decorative edging display along the front of the couch.

2. Tidy Corner Fold

Similar to the first option, this method displays your blanket from the top of the back all the way down to the front, but this time in a more put-together fashion.

Corner of a couch with a grey blanket folded the long-way and draped down the back under throw pillows.

How to Style:

Fold your blanket length-wise in thirds or fourths and then once the short way.

Lay one end behind the top of the seat in the corner of your sofa and drape the rest of the blanket down, over the back cushion, onto the seat cushion and then down towards the floor.

Gently tuck the blanket back so it is tight along the contours of the sofa cushions and be sure to let any fringe or decorative edging display along the front of the couch.

3. Low Fold Over the Arm

This draping idea is a clean, sophisticated look and is great for the side of the couch that’s visible when you enter the room.

It also leaves the blanket in a very easy-to-grab position when sitting down on the sofa!

End of a couch with a blanket folded and hung atop the arm with tassel fringe hanging from the end.

How to Style:

Fold your blanket in third or fourths (see this section for step-by-step instructions for folding) and then fold it once or twice the short way.

Drape the folded blanket from the seat, up over the arm and down the side.

Be sure the end of your blanket doesn’t go past the bottom of your couch and that the fringe or detailed edging of the blanket hangs along the side.

4. Cozy Arm Drape

I love styling my cozy faux fur blankets this way because it just begs you to sit down and cover up.

Try using this method on the far side of your couch where people typically don’t sit – you may find it encourages people to sit there!

Striped, faux fur blanket draped over the arm of a white couch and down over the seat to the floor.

How to Style:

Grab your throw blanket about 1′ from the corner and then drape it atop the arm of your couch.

Anywhere the underside of the blanket is showing, simply fold or tuck it to hide.

Don’t feel the need to make it perfect, the casualness of the drape is what looks so good.

5. Formal Waterfall Fold

Give your couch a prim and proper look with your throw blanket folded and laying from top to bottom in the middle of the sofa.

I suggest adding a throw pillow or two close by or on top of the blanket to give it a touch more style.

Grey couch with a cream throw blanket folded and draped down the middle cushion with a black throw pillow halfway over it.

How to Style:

Fold your blanket length-wise in thirds or fourths and then tuck one end just over the back of the couch.

Drape the rest of the blanket over the back cushion, onto the seat cushion and then down towards the floor.

Gently tuck the blanket back so it is tight along the contours of the sofa cushions and be sure to let any fringe or decorative edging display along the front of the couch.

Place a small throw pillow (or two) against it for added style.

6. Informal Waterfall Drape

This is another one of my favorite styles! It’s similar to the casual corner drape but is located in the middle of the sofa giving it more room to be a focal point of the couch’s decor.

I suggest placing throw pillows next to this drape, rather than on top of it.

Dark grey couch with a red throw blanket draped casually down the middle cushion amidst white and faux fur throw pillows.

How to Style:

Grab one corner of your blanket and lay it behind the top of the seat in the middle of your sofa.

Drape the rest of the blanket down, over the back cushion, onto the seat cushion and then down in front of the seat cushion.

Gently tuck any spots where the underside of the blanket is showing under and press softly to make sure the blanket lays against the contours of your couch.

7. Full Fold on Seat

Want your blanket easily accessible but not overly “on display”? This draping method is a great option!

Corner of a couch with a faux fur pillow and a cream throw blanket folded completely and sitting on the couch cushion.

How to Style:

Fold your blanket in third or fourths lengthwise and then again two to three times the short way.

Simply place your folded blanket on the seat of your couch and you’re done!

8. Gathered on Seat

This draping method works best with a fluffy or full-bodied throw blanket, especially one with fun edging or details.

I recommend placing your blanket this way in front of a throw pillow rather than tucked into the corner or in the middle by itself.

Fluffy white throw blanket with white balls along the edge crumpled up and placed on a grey couch.

How to Style:

Grab your throw blanket in the middle and then group the ends together and set the entire thing on the seat of your couch.

Pull some of the ends down in front of the seat just slightly.

9. Stylish Back Cover

Many times the question of how to dress a sofa with throws and cushions comes up when your couch is the divider between rooms. When the back of the sofa is on display, the need to dress it up becomes more evident.

This method for how to place a throw blanket on a couch involves draping it over the back of the sofa to give it style.

Back side of a sofa with a gingham throw blanket draped along the top and down the back.

How to Style:

Simply fold your blanket once length-wise and drape it along the back of the couch’s seat cushions.

Try to find a blanket that covers about 2/3 of the length of your couch and let it hang about 8-12″ on the front of the seat back cushion with the rest draping down the back.

10. Laying Near the Feet

Does your sofa have a chaise lounge or built-in ottoman? Try draping your throw blanket across the foot section of your couch!

White chaise sofa with bright colored pillows and a grey and white gingham throw blanket draped from the side down to the floor.

How to Style:

Lay the blanket across the ottoman or foot-section of your chaise with the ends just barely touching the floor.

11. Tucked in a Basket

While this draping method isn’t technically ON the couch, it’s a great option for storing extra throw blankets!

I always have 4-5 throws in baskets in my living room (I know, it’s a bit of an obsession) and love that they’re easy to grab and hand out of someone is cold.

Close up of a large hyacinth basket filled with and overflowing with throw blankets.

How to Style:

Grab a large basket (I love natural fiber baskets, but you could also use a wire or fabric basket) and tuck your throws into them one at a time.

Pull parts of the top blanket so they drape over the edge and if desired, pull parts of the blankets below up so they’re visible as well.

SHOP BLANKET BASKETS:

12. Hung on a Ladder

Again, while this method is next to the couch rather than actually on it, hanging blankets on a blanket ladder is such a wonderful way to store them with style!

Place your blanket ladder next to your sofa for easy access and hang neutral blankets so they can be there year-round.

Corner of a sofa with a black blanket ladder standing close by on which hangs three neutral throw blankets.

How to Style:

Fold your throws in fourths (see above folding method) and then drape them over the ladder rungs with the blankets above tucked behind the blankets below them.

Check out more blanket storage ideas from Karo over at Crafty Hacks!

SHOP BLANKET LADDERS:

So what do you think? Did you find a way to drape a throw on your couch that you’re going to try?

I hope so! These draping ideas are honestly so easy and add a ton of style to your living room.

As promised, here is the printable list: