Roman shades are manufactured from fabric panels and are pulled into nice, clean, horizontal pleats when they are raised. Some choices to consider include the more informal looking classic or flat fold styles or you may even consider an elegant tear-drop or European style window shade. When you are looking to style a room with a beautiful soft texture but you’re not really into the look and feel of weighty or elaborate drapery or blinds, roman shades are a fantastic substitute.
Roman shades add a traditional, timeless accent to your windows and give the interior of your home an unmatched elegant look that no other type of blind or window treatment can compete with. They make a wonderful addition to any room and can instantly transform a boring room into a breath-taking room when you choose to install them in your home. It is no wonder why roman shades are one of the most popular options of window coverings for smart homeowners all around the world.
When choosing the right window treatments for your home that will perfectly match your personal style there are many factors to consider before making a buying decision. Some factors include materials and fabric type used, fold style, color, what they will be used for, and much more. On this website you will find helpful information that will assist you in making the best decision in purchasing the right window treatments for your home.
Roman Shades Buyer’s Guide
Use this buyer’s guide to help you make an informed purchasing decision; below are listed the most important factors to consider before purchasing and installing roman shades in your home:
Fabric/Materials: One of the most important factors before buying your roman fabric shades is to consider what material they will be made from. Common fabrics and materials used in creating them include polyester, linen, cotton, silk, patterned fabrics, textured linen shades, and many more. Each has its own unique benefits and when deciding on which to choose, you must consider things like wash-ability, durability, opacity, and stain resistance and decide on which factors are most important to you.
Colors Available/Patterns: In order to give your room that breath-taking look that you’re after, the color and/or pattern you choose for your roman shades and valance can make all the difference in the world. Roman shades come in a massive variety of colors and patterns, there is sure to be something that fits your style and decor perfectly. Your personal style will play a large role here in what you choose; when choosing color, some people will use their window treatments as an accent color for the room, others may try to match trim or wall colors and others may even try to match furniture or artwork. It’s always a wise idea to test multiple colors in your room before deciding to permanently install your new shades to ensure that you’ll be happy with what you are getting.
Light Filtering Roman Shades: The opacity of your window shades directly translates to how much light is allowed to enter your room. If you want to let a lot of light in, the best option is a sheer opacity. If you’re looking to keep light out, you’ll want something more opaque, and if you’re looking for complete darkness, you may even consider blackout roman shades. Keep in mind, sheer opacities do allow in more light and really brighten a room during the day, but they also offer the least amount of privacy at night. Choose something you’ll be able to live with during the daylight hours as well as after the sun has set.
Fold Style: A big decision to make is the type of fold style you want, that just means how the shade will fold together when it is raised. There are four primary fold styles including: The classic style fold, the European style fold, the flat style fold, and the hobbled fold shades style. The classic style fold is the most common type of fold style; you’ve probably seen this style the most. The classic fold gives you the absolute cleanest and neatest look when raised. With the flat style fold, the fabric panels fold over each other as you raise the shade up. The European style fold is very similar to the flat fold style. The major difference is the bottom curves around in a circular or u shape which adds a European style look. The fourth style of shade is the hobbled style fold, which appears most like a drapery. With the hobbled style, there are liberal amounts of fabric lightly hanging over as you raise the shade. Each style looks can look great in your home; if you want more of a basic look go with a classic or flat style fold, if you are looking for more of an elegant look go with a European or hobbled style fold.
Usability: A big factor in buying your shades is to get ones that are easy to use. It’s always worth it to spend a little more money on window treatments that work easily versus spending less and being frustrated every time you try to raise them up or lower them down. Shades that cost more, generally have better quality hardware and build quality which directly results in less effort on your part to operate (and less frustration). Roman shades come in both corded and cordless styles, generally, cordless roman shades are easier to use and are safer.
Fit: Proper fit is very important when you install roman shades in your home. You do not want shades that are too big or too small covering your windows; they will look bad and can really take away a lot from the overall beauty of your room. Before purchasing your window treatments online, you’ll definitely want to take measurements at least twice before ordering, that way you’ll be sure to get the best fit possible for your new shades.
Price: Price is another big factor to consider, although it should never be the most important factor. What you pay for your roman shades obviously depends on your budget, but you never want to be the person who spends too little and regrets it later on. Spend what you can afford, but never go for the absolute lowest priced shades because you will never be happy with them. It’s always better to spend a little more and get something you like that will work well for you for years to come.
Types Of Roman Shades
There is an almost endless variety of roman shades to choose from, the most common types and styles include: fabric roman shades, bamboo roman shades, sheer roman shades, cordless roman shades, blackout, insulated, relaxed, room darkening, double, sheer, woven, linen, balloon, top down bottom up, canvas, custom roman shades, and roman shades for french doors.
Again, these all come in an enormous amount of colors, pattern choices and fold styles. The shades you choose will directly reflect your personal style taste and what you believe will work best in the room you are decorating.
Where To Buy Roman Shades
Roman shades are very widely available both online and offline from merchants at varying prices and some offer discount roman shades and cheap roman shades. If you are more of a do-it-yourselfer, there are many merchants online who will cater to your needs. You can simply take your window measurements yourself and then order the correct size from the merchant’s website. When you receive them you can easily install them yourself with the included hardware. An important consideration is that typically online sellers’ prices are lower than offline sellers and you may often receive free shipping when ordering online.
If you prefer the “hands off” approach, more than likely there is a local business that can help you purchase your shades and can install them for you for a reasonable price. They may even be able to make custom roman shades for you that fit your windows perfectly.
How To Install Roman Shades
Roman shades are typically very easy to install all by yourself. The following video, provided by blinds.com, shows just how easy installing your own blinds can be:
Roman Shades Frequently Asked Questions
When hanging double fabric roman shades should the black fabric be laying on the window sill?
When installed correctly the sheers should stay down until the front panel is raised. So if the sheer stays down while the front panel is raised or they both can be raised, they are installed the right way.
Can roman shades be installed on the outside of a window frame?
Yes, you will just want to make sure the mounting hardware is as close to the window as possible. The only down side is they wont have the same look as roman shades that are mounted into the inside of the frame and may allow more light in on the sides.
Are roman shades installed the same way was typical blinds and shades?
The installation is about the same as regular blinds and shades. When you purchase roman shades, the package will include mounting hardware. The amount of brackets in the package will vary depending on the size of the roman shade, usually two to six brackets. You can use hand tools or a cordless drill to complete the installation.
What is more popular faux wood blinds, roman shades or curtains?
It really depends on your personal style, the area you live in, or the features that each type of window treatment has. However, roman shades are very popular because of their functionality matched with color, style and softness without having a lot of fabric.
I have semi-sheer roman shades that I love during the day but at night the neighbors can see right in, how can I keep the roman shades but add some privacy?
You could hang a curtain over the roman shades, if you install a decorative curtain rod then add a curtain that is made with a heavier fabric. The curtain could be pulled back during the day so you can keep the roman shade and then close the curtain at night for privacy.
I have a stain on one of my roman shades, how do I clean it?
It really depends on they type of fabric. Check the tag, which should be on the blind, to see what material the shade is made from and cleaning instructions. If you cant find the cleaning instructions, its best to have it dry cleaned. This will make sure the fabric isn’t ruined during regular washing. If the stain is fresh you can try putting club soda on it to remove the stain, just make sure if you send it to the dry cleaner you let them know.
Are there any tips when I measure my window for roman shades?
One tip is to use a steel tape measure, this will give a more accurate measurement. I usually measure two or three times, just to be sure and if you need to you can round down to the nearest 1/8″. When writing the measurement down, write width then height so when you go to order you are giving the correct dimensions.
We hope you find this site useful and we hope it helps you make the best purchasing decision. Please let us know if we can help you in any way with your purchase of roman shades.