They can really be used as either. What I would do is buy a solid colored blanket for the whole bed, in a color like pink or something, then buy a blanket for th foot of your bed in a pattern that matches, like a white blanket with pink roses. Get pillows also in that pattern, and possibly sheets too
I want to coordinate some type of blanket/bed runner and shams, but don't know how to go about doing so? Are quilts usually used as the throw blanket, not the main blanket?