Decorating with Quilts

Do you remember sleeping under fluffy handmade quilts at your grandmother’s house?  The thought of her hands sewing each stitch with needle and thread made you feel like she was holding you while you fell asleep. The tender care of crafting quilts make them such a treasured icon in the home. My personal belief is that every home should have at least one quilt. Whether you place it on a bed or hang it on a wall is entirely up to you. Decorating with quilts is an easy way to add color, pattern, and even a bit of nostalgia to your home.

Shabby-chic Style Bedroom by Santa Monica Interior Designers & Decorators Alison Kandler Interior Design

The most obvious way of decorating with quilts is to tuck a colorful one on a pretty bed. White walls and flooring really make this patterned quilt grab center stage in the room.

Beach Style Bedroom by La Jolla Interior Designers & Decorators Ross Thiele & Son

Quilts are available in a wide array of patterns, and colors can be bright or subdued. Styles range from cottage cute to hip and modern. There’s just something about a quilt that says “home.”

Traditional Family Room by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

Who says quilts have to stay on the bed?  Hanging them on walls is a clever way of decorating with quilts. A patriotic star quilt pairs with a classic leather couch and southwestern textiles.

Traditional Family Room by New York Interior Designers & Decorators James McAdam Design

If you love your quilts as much as I do, you’ve probably had a few get worn out and look a little ragged. Use the remaining good portions of the quilt to create pillows. If you don’t have a lot of fabric to use, simply apply a matching fabric to the back of the pillow.

Rustic Bedroom by Seattle Architects & Building Designers Bosworth Hoedemaker

A country style bedroom wears soft colors and mixes patterns with a hanging quilt, floral pillow shams, and geometric coverlet at the foot of the bed. The look is pleasing because the patterned textiles have the same level of color saturation.

Traditional Dining Room by Miami Interior Designers & Decorators GIL WALSH INTERIORS

When decorating with quilts, think outside the box and use them in unconventional ways … like this quilt-turned-tablecloth.

Rustic Bedroom by Bozeman Architects & Building Designers Miller Architects LTD

I’m a huge fan of layering your bedding, and quilts are a fun way to mix and match patterns and colors on the bed. Plus I love the feel of being buried under layers of quilts on cooler nights. Right now I have 3 layers of quilts on my own bed.

Traditional Deck by Winnetka Interior Designers & Decorators Bardes Interiors

This summer, why not take your quilts outdoors and dress up your patio furniture with their color and softness? When entertaining in the evenings, your guests can use the quilts to warm their legs on cool nights.

Bedroom by Brooklyn Photographers Corynne Pless

If you’re not a fan of Grandma’s cottage style quilts, you can find colorful modern quilts instead. I love the graphic statement this beauty makes in a farmhouse style bedroom.

Rustic Bedroom by Norwich Architects & Building Designers Smith & Vansant Architects PC

If you prefer neutrals in the bedroom, consider adding a little spice by draping a colorful quilt across the foot of the bed.

Rustic Staircase by Baxter Design-Build Firms Nor-Son, Inc.

Have you ever fallen in love with a quilt at a flea market, only to find a sorry stain on it once you take a good look at it?  You can still enjoy it if you fold it to hide the stain, and hang it over a stair railing.

Eclectic Dining Room

An elegant neutral dining room comes alive with a colorful quilt as a tablecloth. What a great way to infuse color at the table without having to buy new dishes.

Farmhouse Bedroom by Salem Photographers Tess Fine

When you’re not using your quilts, store them in a cupboard with glass doors so you can still enjoy them.

One of my favorite quilts is this faded wedding ring quilt I’ve had for years.

What other ideas have you envisioned for decorating with quilts in your own home?

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