When people think of soft, warm, cozy polar fleece, the first thing that comes to mind is one of those blanket-like robes called Snuggies. While those Snuggie brand blankets have often been parodied, they do sell, and they get hipper every day (take for example their recent dog coats).
People should know this: the soft, nubby, oh-so warm fleece fabric used in those products can do much more for a home than just keep its residents comfortable.
Fleece Throws are Also Ideal for Decor
Fleece throws are an excellent way to update the look of a living room, bedroom, or even office; simply by using them to re-cover sofas and various types of chairs. A fleece throw could also be draped upon an already made bed, or over a dowel to make a lovely wall hanging.
Here are some clever ways to update tired/worn furnishings and enliven decor, just by using a fleece throw.
Modernize That Not-So-Valuable Antique Chair
When Jonathan discovered his mom's 1960's chair wasn't worth much in the antiques market, he gave it away. The recipient loved the shape, and the way the chair cradled her back, but found the fabric didn't meld with her living room. The solution? Covering it with a zebra-print fleece throw that showcases its graceful shape – it matches other black and white furnishing, and looks great against a red wall.
Accent a Solid Chair With a Patterned Roll Pillow
Turning a square of fleece into a pillow is so easy. Simply fold in half to make a rectangle. Roll the rectangle up into a log. Next, tie off the ends with a matching ribbon. Voila, a brand new pillow that plays up a solid background (on a chair, sofa, or bed).
Turn a Folding Chair Into a Stunning Home Office Piece
Any folding chair – whether it is composed of aluminum, wood, or plastic – takes on a new life when covered with a fleece throw. Simply drape the fleece throw over the chair, then secure the fleece in back with a bow, or those special vest clips.
Changed the Look of a Bedroom in Two Minutes
The layered look may be big in clothing, but it does not stop there. It is also a neat trick for bedding. Layering a smaller fleece square over a larger quilt gives a bed – and bedroom – a whole new appeal in mere minutes.
Play up Paint With a Fleece Wall Hanging
Nursery decor is traditionally done in pastel colors, such as pale yellow, mint green, lilac, rose or robin's egg blue. It is easy to play up such colors – use a fleece in a cute, kid-friendly pattern as a piece of wall art. Simply secure a towel bar (or mountable curtain rod) to the wall, then drape the fleece over it. Leave a lip of at least 2 inches and pin in the back, to ensure the fleece will not slip off.
Pick up a fleece throw and see what it can do for home decor! Try using it to recover a worn or dated chair, enliven a wall or bed, or to make a cute new pillow. These fleece pieces are so simple to create, and they can be darling additions to the home.
Obviously, cozy fleece throws can do much more for a homeowner than just keeping him or her warm.
Jeri Dayle-Rabinowitz - Jeri Dayle is a writer mom, or should I say a mom writer? I worked in advertising both full and part-time while raising my family, jobs ...
