Afghans, throws

8 years ago

Was looking at pinterest this morning and so many interiors have their afghans, throws over the back of the chair and down into the seat with a pillow tucked on top. Is this a decor trend like the "knife chop" pillow? And is it for chairs that you don't really sit in -- I'm not sure I would want to sit on top of an afghan. Or is it just for magazine photos and "real" people don't do that?

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aprilneverends

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I have a very nice Afghan throw. I watched it and waited about 3 years until it went on sale-that's how hard I wanted it. In our previous place I had it totally covered one of the armchairs because the armchair was floating in the room and as I have a thing against seeing the back of the furniture I felt it helps tremendously to "ground" the armchair. It's a very cheerful Afghan (or croshet?)with flowers and all-and I crazily love flowers in any form. Yes people sit there.

When we moved I switched chairs(for some older ones, smaller footprint since living is much smaller) and decided to use a different throw to cover one of the chairs (this time, mostly to disguise it needs reupholstering..lol). And yes, people sit on top of it too. It's a nice cashmere throw that I love.

I still love my Afghan and it's now neatly folded over the sofa's arm.

I'm very much a lounging person and am often cold. and I love when family/guests have options of using throws/pillows too so I have 3 throws in my living room only. Throws and pillows are my definite weakness. I choose quality ones, because it's about comfort, for me. Or else they wouldn't get used as much. They can be found cheaper or more expensive, but they need to be very comfy. Say I dislike silk and silk like materials-they're pretty but feel too sleek. Not nice for having a nap. I go for cashmere and velvet and linen and cotton and embroidery-embroidery can be surprizingly nice to touch.

So I don't know whether it's trend or not I just do whatever I think suits our home and people in it.

I do have a thing against using too many throw pillows unless it's something like a harder bench where it makes sense to lean on them. I also prefer odd numbers, so I never do pairs. I also dislike things matching, and too much symmetry, so all my throws(and in every room, I'd have throws either out or hidden really close) are different. Same with throw pillows, I don't repeat patterns. Especially as I love so many-that's be very restricting to me.

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Comments (9)

User
8 years ago
I never understood why it would be tucked into the couch seat either. Looks too staged and unnatural in my opinion. I think having one over a chair is just a nice way of having it folded and convenient.
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DLM2000-GW
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

There are times I like the look and see the practicality of it. I saved this one to my pinterest long ago In this case, the throw adds a decorative element but is there for use if needed. If you have neutral furniture it's another way to add some color when you want. Personally I find throws and afghans much more practical than a bunch of pillows on a chair or sofa - they are always in my way but I use the throws.
Sueb20
8 years ago
I had a thin cotton throw smoothed over the back of a chair and tucked into the back of the seat to cover a stain on the chair. It had to be majorly readjusted any time someone sat in the chair. Too annoying! Probably works well only in a “only for show” chair!
lisaw2015 (ME)
8 years ago
I am only adding my 2 cents here...I am not by any means a professional decorator but I have throws, and yes, an afghan, on my rocking chairs & my sectional sofa. DH & I are always wrapped up in one while watching TV or reading. Very comforting. I also love that close friends and family feel comfortable to grab one as they wish when visiting.
functionthenlook
8 years ago
When not in use mine is folded and put on the bottom shelf of the bookcase.
mojomom
8 years ago
I agree with Lisa that afgans and throws are primarily for for function. If DH keeps the temperature at his preferred level, then a wrap of some thing is essential to me. The nice thing is that they have become so attractive, that there is no reason to hide them when not in use. The decorative benefit is that often a throw can add a bit of texture and visual warmth even when not in use.

Another function I tend to use mine for is as a doggie blanket on the couch since even my faux fur ones can be washed and they look better than other tropes of doggie furniture covers.
User
8 years ago
We have throws out for both human and dog use (each species has designated throws), we are in the North Country of NY, on a lake, and we get lots of cold, wind and snow, throws while sitting are a must, especially in the evening. I do tuck the dog throws in, on, ahem, "their" couch, but ours are folded over the arms of the chairs or, more likely, balled up in the seat after being discarded. We are the lived in look types.
Sueb20
8 years ago
Ha ha, ours are usually balled up on the seat, too. There’s only one that stays all nice and pretty on a chair, because it’s wool and no one likes the scratchy texture!