How Do You Put a Throw on a Bed? Placement, Size and Colour
Short answer. To put a throw on a bed, fold it lengthways into a band 40–60 cm deep and lay it across the bottom third of the made bed, with an equal overhang on each side. Choose a throw whose long side is 50–90 cm longer than the mattress is wide.
By Snoozyn · Updated October 2026
A throw at the foot of the bed does two jobs. It adds a layer you can pull up on a cold night without changing the duvet, and it breaks up a large expanse of plain bedding so the bed looks finished.
Getting it right comes down to three things: where it sits, how big it is, and what colour it is against your bedding.
Key takeaways
- A throw usually sits across the bottom third of the bed, folded into a band 40–60 cm deep.
- For a double bed of 135×190 cm, a throw with a 200 cm long side gives about 30 cm of overhang each side.
- King and super king beds need a throw at least 220 cm long, such as a 145×230 or 200×230 cm throw.
- A throw one or two shades darker than the duvet cover gives the clearest contrast.
Where should a throw go on a bed?
A throw goes across the foot of the bed, covering roughly the bottom third of the duvet, laid widthways so its ends hang evenly over both sides.
This is where it gets used: you can pull it over your feet and legs, and it protects the end of the duvet cover from shoes, bags and pets. A throw laid diagonally over one corner is a looser alternative for guest rooms and children’s beds. Spreading a throw over the whole bed only makes sense with a throw large enough to act as a bedspread, such as a 200×230 cm muslin.
How do you put a throw on a bed step by step?
Make the bed, fold the throw lengthways into a band, lay it across the lower third and even out the overhang.
- Make the bed first: duvet straight, pillows in place, and the duvet cover smoothed at the foot.
- Fold the throw in half lengthways (or into thirds for wider throws) so you have a band 40–60 cm deep.
- Lay the band widthways across the bottom third of the bed, with the folded edge facing the pillows.
- Check the overhang is equal on both sides; aim for 25–45 cm each side.
- Let a fringe or tassels hang over the sides rather than folding them in.
- Repeat the throw colour once near the pillows, on a cushion or pillowcase, to tie the bed together.
What size throw do you need for each bed size?
Measure the mattress width and add 50–90 cm: that is the length the throw needs along its long side to hang 25–45 cm over each edge.
UK mattress sizes are in our guide to UK bed sizes. The table below uses typical overhangs; a deep mattress or a thick duvet needs the upper end.
| Bed (UK) | Mattress (cm) | Throw long side | Example size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 90×190 | 150–180 cm | 130×170 |
| Double | 135×190 | 190–220 cm | 150×200 |
| King | 150×200 | 210–240 cm | 150×220 or 145×230 |
| Super king | 180×200 | 230 cm or more | 200×230 |
A lap-size throw of around 120×150 cm is too short for any bed apart from a single, but it looks fine folded into a square and laid on one corner. For a broader size chart that covers sofas too, see what size throw you need for sofas and beds.
What colour throw should you put on a bed?
Choose a throw one or two shades darker than your duvet cover, or pick a colour that already appears in your pillowcases or headboard.
On white or ivory bedding, almost anything works; oat, moss green, charcoal and brown stripes all read clearly. On grey bedding, warm colours such as camel, rust and ochre stop the bed looking cold. On patterned bedding, keep the throw plain and pick its colour from the pattern. Texture helps as much as colour: a waffle, quilted or knitted throw stands out against smooth percale or sateen even in a similar shade. There is more on pairings in our guide to mixing bedding colours.
Which of our throws are big enough for a bed?
Our bed-sized throws are the ones with a long side of 200 cm or more, in pure wool, cotton muslin, linen cotton and quilted cotton.
The oat pure wool throw in the 150×220 cm bed size suits a king, from £94.90 for the smallest size. Our four-layer cotton muslin throw in 200×230 cm covers a super king, from £51.90 for the sofa size. The slubby ivory linen cotton throw (70% cotton, 30% linen) comes in 145×240 cm, from £61.90. The quilted cotton throw is 153×204 cm at £69.90, and the vine jacquard throw goes up to 145×230 cm, from £35.90.
Once the bed is done, the same rules carry through the room; see what size rug goes under a bed and styling a throw on the sofa.
Frequently asked questions
Do you sleep with the throw on the bed?
You can. Many people fold the throw back to the foot at night and pull it up over the duvet only on cold nights. If it slides off, lay it flat across the foot rather than folded, so more of its weight sits on the bed.
Can you use a sofa throw on a bed?
Yes, if it is long enough. A 150×200 cm sofa throw works across a double bed. Smaller sofa throws around 130×170 cm suit a single bed, or can be folded into a square and placed on one corner of a larger bed.
Should the throw go over or under the pillows?
Neither. A throw belongs at the foot of the bed, well away from the pillows. If you want the full-cover look, lay a large throw over the duvet and fold its top edge back just below the pillows.
How do you stop a throw sliding off the bed?
Choose a heavier or more textured throw, such as wool, quilted cotton or a knit, and lay it flatter with more width on the bed. Tucking the overhang slightly under the mattress edge on each side also holds it in place.
Do you need a throw if you already have a bedspread?
Not usually. A bedspread already covers the duvet. A narrow folded throw on top can add a contrasting colour or texture, but on a small bed in a small room it can look crowded, so one layer is often enough.
How often should you wash a throw used on a bed?
Wash cotton and linen throws every few weeks of regular use, at 30°C on a gentle cycle. Air wool throws often and spot clean them, washing only when needed, because wool needs less washing than cotton.
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