10 ways to use a block print quilt beyond your bedroom
Your quilt deserves more than a bed
Most of us buy a quilt, put it on the bed, and that's where it stays. Which is a shame, honestly. A well-made block print quilt — printed by hand, block by block, on soft cotton — has too much going for it to be tucked away under a pillow most of the day.
Whether you have a bold elephant print or a delicate floral, these quilts hold their own in almost any corner of your home. Here are 10 ways to style one that go well beyond the bedroom.
In the living room
The living room is probably the easiest place to start, and it gives your quilt the most visibility.
1. The sofa throw
Fold a quilt into thirds lengthwise and drape it over one arm of your sofa. It adds colour without overwhelming the space, and on cooler evenings it's actually useful. A cotton quilt is lighter than a wool throw, so it doesn't look heavy sitting there all day.
2. A layered floor seating setup
If you do floor seating for guests or movie nights, spread a quilt out flat as the base. Stack a couple of cushion covers on top, and you have a cozy corner that looks completely intentional.
3. A textile wall panel
This one surprises people. A block print quilt hung on the wall — using a simple wooden dowel and some twine — works exactly like a tapestry (without costing what a tapestry costs). It's especially good in rooms that feel bare or echo-y. The cotton softens both the look and the acoustics.
For the little ones' spaces
If you have kids, or if you're styling a nursery, quilts with playful block prints really come into their own here.
4. A play mat alternative
Spread a quilt on a clean floor and you have an instant play area. Cotton is soft enough for babies to lie on, and the bold prints give them something to look at. Much nicer than a foam mat, and easier to wash.
5. A reading nook liner
Got a window seat, a small tent, or even just a big armchair in a corner? Line it with a quilt. Kids tend to claim these spots as their own, and the quilt makes the whole thing feel more like a den. The Gajah elephant print or the Old MacDonald farm print both work well here because kids actually respond to the imagery.
6. Hung as a nursery accent
Instead of a framed print on the nursery wall, try hanging a small quilt. It's softer to look at, and you can take it down and actually use it when needed. The lion prints in blue or pink-yellow work especially well for this since the single repeated motif reads clearly from a distance.
Outdoors and on the go
7. The picnic quilt
Cotton quilts are genuinely good for picnics. They're light enough to carry, large enough to seat a few people, and hand-block prints look great in natural light. Just make sure you're on dry grass, and give it a good shake before folding it back up.
8. Balcony or terrace sitting
On a cool winter morning in Delhi or Pune, dragging a quilt out to the balcony with your chai is one of life's small pleasures. A cotton quilt in a warm print makes the whole thing feel properly considered.
As a décor accent around the home
9. A table runner or runner for a low console
A baby quilt folded lengthwise makes a surprisingly good table runner on a long dining table or a console in the entryway. You get the pattern and the texture, without the quilt overwhelming the space. Try this with a bold geometric block print against a plain wooden table — the contrast is really satisfying.
10. A gift that's already beautiful
This is less about decorating and more about gifting well. A block print quilt folded neatly and tied with a cotton ribbon needs no gift wrap. It's the kind of thing people keep and actually use, which is what makes it a good gift. New baby, housewarming, even a wedding — a handmade quilt fits all of these.
A few styling tips before you start
Before you start rearranging your whole house, a couple of things worth knowing:
- Block print quilts look best when they're slightly relaxed, not pulled tight. Let them drape naturally.
- They pair well with plain, undyed cotton cushions or linen. Busy-on-busy can get overwhelming fast.
- If you're hanging one on a wall, use a rod or dowel that's slightly narrower than the quilt width so the fabric has a little give and doesn't look pinned up.
- Cotton quilts wash well. Don't be precious about using them in high-traffic spots — that's what they're made for.
The whole point of buying something handmade is that it gets used. A block print quilt sitting folded in a cupboard isn't doing anyone any good. Bring it out, find a new spot for it, and see what it does to the room.
Browse the quilts collection at Kari by Kriti to find one that fits your space and your story.
