Armchair Throws: How to Style, Protect & Refresh Your Favourite Chair
There's usually one chair in every home that does the real work. It's where you have your morning tea, finish the crossword, read "just one more chapter" and where the dog sneaks up the minute you leave the room. It's also the chair that tends to look tired first.
A good armchair throw costs a fraction of reupholstering and protects the fabric underneath. It can also make an old chair look like a deliberate part of the room again. This guide covers which size to choose, six easy ways to drape it, and the throws our customers pick for their own chairs.
In a hurry? The short version
- For a neat drape over the back: 120 × 130cm-wide throws, like Joanna 120 × 180cm or Richmond 130 × 180cm.
- To fully cover a tired, worn or pet-loved chair: go bigger with 150 × 200cm or Merlin 170 × 200cm.
- For easy care: cotton throws are breathable all year round and go straight in the washing machine.
- Every order comes with free UK delivery and 30-day returns, and you get 10% off your second item.
What's in this guide
Why Your Armchair Deserves Its Own Throw
Most of us buy a throw for the sofa and forget the armchair entirely. The armchair, though, often gets more concentrated wear than any single seat on the sofa. The same spot is sat in every day, the arms get rubbed and gripped, and it's usually the first seat a cat or dog claims. A dedicated throw deals with all of that.
- It protects the upholstery. Spills, pet hair, claws, and the daily rub of sleeves on the arms land on the throw instead of the chair.
- It hides what you'd rather not see. Faded fabric, a stubborn mark or a dated pattern can disappear under a well-chosen throw in about thirty seconds.
- It updates the room without redecorating. A new colour on one chair can pull a whole living room together, especially when it matches your cushions or curtains.
- It adds warmth where you actually sit. As the evenings draw in, a throw on your favourite chair is right there when you want to wrap up with a book.
The Richmond Armchair Throw: 100% cotton in five colours that match the full Richmond sofa range.
What Size Throw Do You Need for an Armchair?
This is the question we're asked most often, and the answer depends on what you want the throw to do. Do you want it to decorate the chair or to cover it?
| Throw size | Best for | Try |
|---|---|---|
| 120 × 180cm | Tub chairs, accent chairs, draping over the back or arm | Joanna Cotton Throw |
| 130 × 180cm | Standard armchairs and single sofas, covering the seat and back | Richmond Armchair Throw |
| 150 × 200cm | Wingback chairs and wider armchairs, with room to tuck | Tumbling Cotton Blanket |
| 170 × 200cm | Full cover for large armchairs and recliners, also fits a single bed | Merlin Single Throw |
| 170 × 230cm | Oversized chairs, or a chair plus footstool | Herringbone Cotton Throw |
Quick way to measure: run a tape measure from the floor at the front of the seat, up over the seat, and up and over the back to the floor behind. That's the length you need to fully cover the chair. Then measure from the outside of one arm to the outside of the other for the width. If you're between sizes, go up. A little extra fabric tucks in neatly, while a throw that's too small will slip every time you sit down.
6 Ways to Drape a Throw on a Chair
These are the looks we see saved again and again on Pinterest, and every one of them takes less than a minute.
1. The Relaxed Back Drape
Fold your throw lengthways into thirds, then hang it over one top corner of the chair so it falls loosely down the back and onto the seat. Give it a gentle scrunch with your hands so it looks lived-in rather than placed. This is the easiest look of all and works beautifully with a textured throw like the honeycomb-weave Joanna.
2. The Folded Arm
Fold the throw into a neat rectangle and lay it over one arm, letting it hang evenly on both sides. It looks tidy and is always within reach, and it protects the part of the chair that wears fastest. Handy if you tend to rest a mug or your elbow in the same spot every day.
3. The Full Cover (Hide a Tired Chair)
This is the one to try if your chair has seen better days. Lay the throw lengthways from the floor at the front, over the seat and up and over the back. Push the fabric firmly into the gap where the seat meets the back and arms using a flat hand or a wooden spoon handle. The tucks are what keep it in place. A 170 × 200cm Merlin gives you plenty of fabric to work with, and its fringed edges finish the look nicely at the floor.
4. The Pet-Proof Seat Cover
If your dog or cat has claimed the chair, it's the seat cushion and front edge that take the most punishment. Fold the throw in half and lay it over the seat so it hangs down the front of the chair, tucking the back edge into the gap. When it's covered in hair, just lift it off, shake it outside and pop it in the wash. Tightly woven cotton is far less likely to snag on claws than a loose knit or fluffy fleece.
5. The Autumn Reading Nook
Wingback chairs and chairs by a window were made for this. Drape the throw loosely over the back and let one corner spill onto the seat, then add a cushion in a toning colour and a small side table for your cup of tea. Warm, earthy shades such as terracotta, mustard and olive really come into their own from September onwards. See the Joanna in Mustard or Terracotta or the Merlin in Olive Green.
6. The Diagonal Corner Drape
Ideal for small tub chairs and accent chairs where a full cover would look too heavy. Take one corner of the throw and hook it over the top corner of the chair back, letting the rest fall diagonally across the seat. It's relaxed and a little bit "styled," and it shows off a pattern well. Try the Circle Pattern blanket in Blue or the Native Pattern in Beige.
Matching your armchair to your sofa?
Buy an armchair throw alongside a sofa throw from the same collection and get 10% off the second item, applied automatically at checkout.
Choosing a Colour That Works With Your Room
- Want it to blend in? Pick a shade a little lighter or darker than the chair itself: beige or cream on an oatmeal chair, silver grey on a charcoal one. The throw protects the chair without drawing attention.
- Want a focal point? Choose a colour that already appears somewhere else in the room, such as a cushion, rug, print or curtain. Repeating a colour is what makes a room look "put together."
- Warm and cosy: terracotta, mustard, orange and old rose suit traditional rooms, wood furniture and autumn evenings.
- Calm and fresh: sage green, emerald, olive and blue work well in Scandinavian-style, cottage and modern rooms.
- Hiding pet hair? Choose a throw close to your pet's coat colour. Mid-tones and patterns hide far more than bright white or very dark solids.
Why Cotton Works Best on a Chair
Fleece and faux fur look cosy in photos, but on a chair you sit in every day they can feel hot, slide around and collect pet hair. Cotton is a far easier fabric to live with.
- Breathable all year: warm enough for winter evenings without leaving you sticky in summer.
- Grips better: a woven cotton throw stays put far better than a slippery synthetic.
- Easy to wash: our Joanna and Richmond throws can go in at 40°C, and Merlin at 30°C, all on a gentle cycle.
- Gentle on skin: a good choice if anyone in the house has sensitive skin.
Care tips: wash on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, tumble dry on low or line dry in the shade to protect the colour, iron on low if needed, and never dry clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size throw do I need for an armchair?
For draping over the back or arm, 120 × 180cm or 130 × 180cm is ideal. To fully cover an armchair from the front floor over the seat and back, choose 150 × 200cm or 170 × 200cm. Larger or wingback chairs suit 170 × 230cm.
How do I stop a throw sliding off my chair?
Tuck the fabric firmly into the gaps between the seat, back and arms. That's what holds it in place. Choosing a slightly larger size gives you more fabric to tuck, and woven cotton grips far better than slippery fleece.
Are your armchair throws pet-friendly?
Yes. Our throws are tightly woven, so they're less likely to snag on claws, and they're machine washable, which makes pet hair easy to deal with.
Can I use an armchair throw on a bed too?
Absolutely. Our 120 × 180cm to 170 × 200cm throws work equally well as a single bed throw or as a layer at the foot of a double bed. Browse our single bed throws.
Can I match my armchair throw to my sofa throw?
Yes. The Richmond, Joanna and Merlin collections each come in sofa sizes in the same colours, so your armchair and sofa can match exactly. You'll also get 10% off your second item.
How long does delivery take?
UK delivery is free on every order and is dispatched within 2–3 working days. If you're not happy, you can return it within 30 days of delivery.
Shop Every Throw in This Guide
See the full armchair throw collection →
