Warm up chilly nights with a cozy throw blanket

The calendar seems to lie this time of year. It truly does seem like just yesterday that we were complaining of the heat, and here we are, looking at the holidays. Yup—those leaves are falling off our trees, and that chill in the air is sneaking into our homes.

The best way to cope—without cranking up the heat, of course—is to throw on a sweater, pull out the slippers and grab a throw blanket.

You have many to choose from, pros say.

Afghans, wraps and down throws warm the home when the sun starts setting early, says Susan Prestia, owner of Kansas City-based Interior Directions.

“Warm hues of gold, reds, burgundy, orange and combinations of them are my go-to accents this time of year,” she says. “Cool color lovers should use combinations like green, blue and black and plaids.”

It’s not a bad idea to drape that throw over your shoulders to save money on energy costs, but they’re also handy for adding a warm touch to a room, she says.

“Cable knit designs, cashmere, angora, wool and plaids are exciting textures to add to any décor for visual allure,” Prestia adds.

And if you’re one of those early bird shoppers already stockpiling holiday presents? There’s nothing better than the gift of warmth.

“Give the gift early and it can be enjoyed the whole season,” she says. “It’s a wrap.”

Here are a few throws we can’t wait to curl up in:

Big ol’ softie

What could be warmer than this? Settle down by the fireplace and nap with this softie, which is machine washable—always a plus. Eddie Bauer Edgewood plaid flannel and Sherpa reversible throw, $39.99, kohls.com. 

Fringe benefits

Ruffles and fringe are perfect for a more feminine room. Toss this acrylic throw on a bed for a bit of extra warmth. LC Lauren Conrad ruffle knit throw, $49.99, kohls.com

Orange therapy

We fell in love with this classic fall color, which we think tilts toward rust. It’s textured, contemporary and, above all, soft. Marley orange throw, $29.95, crateandbarrel.com

Sweet as honey

This chunky, cotton weave is weighty and warm. Coyuchi Honeycomb cotton throw, $122 and up, allmodern.com

Bring on the bamboo

Believe it or not, you’d find a hard time finding a fabric as soft as this, made of bamboo. Pure fiber brushed bamboo viscose bi-color throw, $77.69, allmodern.com