A good throw is as comforting as it is beautiful, providing a little extra warmth whenever you need it and making a room feel more welcoming and relaxed.

“It’s a homey thing,” said Ameé Allsop, a designer in East Hampton, N.Y., who often creates minimalist spaces warmed up by textured linen and other textiles.

And throws aren’t just for winter, said Ms. Allsop, who recommended having one slung over the sofa all year long, but changing the materials with the seasons. “In winter, I look for textured wool, mohair or cashmere,” she said. “But in summer, having a linen or cotton throw is nice.”

Whenever possible, you should see a throw in person — and touch it — before buying it, to make sure it feels as good as it looks. A wool throw that appears thick online could turn out to be disappointingly thin, and one that looks soft could be scratchy.