Your Guide to Finding the Ideal Blanket
We’re breaking down everything you should consider when looking to buy a blanket for your home. We have options for different seasons, aesthetics, and warmth requirements, so let us walk you through choosing the right blanket!
THE BEST BLANKET FOR YOUR BED
Blankets are a perfect option for battling cold weather. They’re also versatile layering pieces, as you can easily add or remove them as your style or needs change throughout the year.
Sizes And Types of Blankets
It’s best to start off by considering the size of the blanket you’re after. The Hotel Linen Co. offers a range of blanket sizes for both your bedroom and living room spaces, including:
- Single bed blankets
- King single bed blankets
- Double bed blankets
- Queen bed blankets
- King-size blankets
- Super-king bed blankets
As with most of our bed linen ranges, we recommend selecting one size up from your bed so that you have extra coverage when using the blanket as a layering piece on your bed. If you’re buying a blanket for anything else, like for your couch or taking with you on picnics, an oversize blanket is still a great option as you can share it with others to stay warm.
Colours And Styles of Blankets
Blankets are usually simple in their design, with the texture of the fibre being the main feature of the product. As a result, most blankets are plain-dyed or have patterns printed onto them. Some of our most popular colour options available are:
- Neutral blankets (White, cream and stone)
- Pink blankets
- Blue and navy blankets
- Brown blankets
- Black blankets
How to Pick the Best Blanket for You
Once you know what size blanket you’re after, consider how you want to use the blanket. You might be after something to combat the cold during winter or a breathable blanket as a lightweight substitute for your quilt during the summer. We have summarised options for all seasons and needs so you can decide what will suit you best.
Summer Blankets and Blankets for All-Seasons
Natural fibres like wool and cotton are ideal when it comes to the warmer seasons. Many of us would assume wool would be a cold-weather option, but it’s actually ideal all year round due to its natural temperature-regulating abilities. The breathability of the fibres makes a wool blanket perfect as an all-seasons blanket, especially for the Australian climate.
If you prefer a lightweight option, cotton blankets are a great choice. As another natural fibre, cotton woven blankets offer breathability but with less weight than a wool blanket. It’s a good idea to check the GSM (grams per square metre) measurement of each blanket - the higher the GSM, the heavier the blanket will feel.
Beyond planning for seasonal temperatures, cotton and wool blankets are excellent options if you share your bed with a partner. If you both have different warmth preferences, natural fibres will ensure your body temperatures regulate appropriately to suit each of you.
Winter Blankets
- There’s nothing more comforting than snuggling up in a blanket, whether you’re in bed or on the couch. There are plenty of options to choose from if you want a warm blanket for winter, including:
- Wool blankets – As we mentioned, wool is great at helping you regulate your body temperature. We recommend Bianca Australian wool blankets – they’re even endorsed by Woolmark, which means you’re supporting the Australian wool industry.
- Polar fleece blankets - Polar fleece blankets feel like you’re wearing your favourite hoodie. They are affordable, extremely warm and durable, making them perfect for commercial blankets in Airbnb and Stayz properties. Have a look at our Bambury Commercial Villa or Bambury Commercial Chateau Deluxe blankets.
- Mink blankets and plush blankets – Mink and plush blankets are polyester blankets, which means they’re incredibly soft and great at retaining their warmth. Due to having better dyeability, they often come in a wider variety of colours than natural fibres. The Ardor Boudoir Lucia or Bianca soft velvet blankets are lovely options..
- Faux fur blankets – We list our faux fur blankets as throw rugs, as people often use them as styling pieces. Beyond looking brilliantly chic, they have similar properties to our other blankets made from synthetic fibres.
Electric Blankets
An electric blanket is for those of us that really feel the cold or struggle to warm up. The Hotel Linen Co. stocks a range of reliable and safe electric blankets and throws. If you’re in the market for an electric blanket, these are the features to look out for:
- Multiple heat settings
- Automatic switch-off timer (for comfort and safety)
- Removable controls to allow for machine washing
- Safety features like overheat protection systems (we want to be warm but not that warm!)
- Customisable heat ‘zones’ – This allows you to have different heat settings on each side of the bed or across different areas (warm feet, please!)
- Smart electric blankets or programmable electric blankets – These can be set to preheat your bed at the time of your choosing.
Kids Blankets
Kids often can’t tell when they are overheating, and small children may not be able to kick off their blankets if they start to feel uncomfortable. We recommended choosing natural fibres for kid’s blankets, like cotton and wool. They are breathable and won’t trap heat like a polyester blanket - this will ensure your little ones have a comfortable and safe night’s sleep.
What if I need more from my blanket? Say, for instance, I have severe dust allergies?
Don’t worry – we haven’t forgotten about you. For those with allergies, you’ll want hypoallergenic fibres like wool and cotton (excluding those of you with wool allergies, of course). We recommend going with a polyester blanket if this is you. We recommend regularly washing your blankets so as to avoid any dust and bacteria build-up, letting them dry fully before re-using or risk having mouldy blankets.
As you can see, there is a blanket option for everyone at The Hotel Linen Co. This guide has covered all the important considerations for finding a stylish and practical blanket for your home. Take your time to browse our bedding collections store – we’re confident you’ll find just what you need.