If you thought serapes were reserved for ponchos and picnic blankets then think again. Even though they’ve been popular for centuries in Mexico and Central America, more recently, these vibrant blankets have started popping up in stylish interiors across the the web; used in design-savvy ways we’d never imagined.
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And it’s really no surprise. Not only do they bring instant color and personality to a room, serape blankets are also super durable. Traditionally loom-woven from a strong blend of cotton and acrylic fibers, these striped stunners are definitely built to last—making them awesome alternatives for upholstery, rugs and just about any other textile needs your home may have. Still don’t believe us? Read ahead for seven beautiful ways to style your space with serape blankets.
Above: Serape blankets can turn your humdrum dining chairs into colorful, upholstered works of art, as showcased in Brooklyn Decker’s home on MyDomaine (the actress bought all the blankets on eBay, watching sales diligently for weeks to find the right palettes). Not only are they great for incorporating color into a neutral space, serape throws are made from ultra durable material that can easily withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
Looking for a stylish way to make a statement on your neutral sofa? A well-styled serape can add warmth and personality to a light living room scene — just like it did in Brooke Baker Eide’s Seattle house tour —and comes in super handy when snuggling up to watch TV.
For as tough as they seem, throwing a serape in the washer and dryer—yes, they’re washing machine-friendly—softens it up pretty quickly. That’s why they make awesome bed covers and pillowcases, especially in a monotone space like this bedroom from Gunn & Swain .
Turns out serapes can work wonders on your outdoor furniture, too. Durable enough to survive all kinds of weather conditions, serape seat cushions —including the ones we spotted in Amber Lewis’ home tour on Style Me Pretty —will transform your patio setup into a festive display in no time.
The next time you’re searching for a cool way to update your living and bedroom decor, consider repurposing a serape blanket (or picking up a new one for pretty cheap) into a couple of textural throw pillows (like these from Pear Mama ). Not only are they incredibly easy to make, they’re a fun way to experiment with exotic patterns and textiles in your place.
Who knew a serape could make such a hip table runner? Clearly Kori and Ben, the cute couple behind this lively fiesta-themed wedding featured on 100 Layer Cake . On top of being tough (and washable) enough to endure unexpected stains and spills, serapes also double as bright and interesting table centerpieces.
Why settle for a simple throw when you can have a whole serape-upholstered sofa? To brighten up her client’s dark basement den, designer Jessica Helgerson opted to cover the room’s commanding sectional in bold serape-style fabric. Still, serape-clad seating shouldn’t be limited to only dim rooms; this colorful pattern brings visual interest and practicality to just about any space.
5 Places to Score Your Own Serape Blanket