Linen glossary

Bed throw (bedspread)

A bed throw is a decorative piece of fabric laid over the made bed — across the whole surface or as a band at the foot of the bed (then called a bed runner). Unquilted and lighter than a boutis, it structures the room visually, protects the white linen during the day and comes off at bedtime.

It is the favourite styling tool of hotels and riads: on an all-white bed, one band of colour or texture at the foot is enough to compose the photo. Service rule: the throw never touches the sleeper's skin — so it is washed less often than body linen, but it does get washed (dust, luggage). Choose it machine-washable, not "dry clean only".