Why are Roman Shades so Popular?

Roman shades combine the best of stylish, artistic window coverings with function and practicality, offering some of the highest quality window treatments available. The range of styles and materials and fabrics available have made Roman shades the hottest trend in home décor when it comes to window fashions.

Featuring panels of fabric attached from top of the window frame, Roman shades are controlled by a pulley cord system that allows you to raise and lower them to easily adjust the look and how much natural light enters the room.

When raised, the fabric gathers into a waterfall of soft folds or flat layers depending upon the style of Roman shade you select. And when lowered, your Roman shades lay flat and smooth, adding wonderful colour and pattern to your room décor.

Roman Shade Styles and Features

There are two main types of Roman shades, with many variations of each; a ‘flat’ Roman shade lays smooth when lowered whereas the ‘relaxed’ styles remain lightly gathered when lowered.

Roman shades are made in a wide variety of materials, from bamboo to suede and hundreds of textile materials. This makes them suitable to almost any style of interior design and more practical and easier to operate than many styles of curtain panels or draperies.

Roman shades make a perfect compromise between window blinds or shades, which may not always match a room’s design aesthetics and curtains or draperies, which tend to be less functional and flexible.

Making Your Own Roman Shades

Roman shade pull-cord kits are readily available for those who have sewing skills and wish to make their own window coverings or you can select from a myriad of pre-made Roman shades in any style, colour scheme, pattern and fabric weight desired. Look online or in your local craft or home improvement store for Roman shade patterns and templates if you choose to make your own.

Fabric weight should generally be on the lighter side so that it will gather correctly into soft folds that are so characteristic of a Roman shade. Additional features such as blackout linings or a reverse top down/bottom up pulley system add further flexibility to your Roman shade selection options.

Be sure to read our tutorial on how to make your own Roman Shades for complete how-to instructions!

Roman Shade Styles Galore

With clean, classic lines, Roman shades are made in such an amazing variety of styles that choosing the right ones for your home décor can be challenging and confusing. Here is a break down on what to look for in Roman Shade styles:

Classic Roman Fabric Shades

Classic Roman fabric shades are always popular, with inverted, seamed folds that are well-defined when raised and clean horizontal lines when lowered. Classic fabric Roman shades offer good insulating value and flexible light control.

Soft Roman Fabric Shades

With elegantly draped, overlapping folds that fall at neatly spaced intervals, soft Roman shades can be topped with a fabric valance for a true designer look. The softer look of these Roman shades is accentuated by even folds when raised and a full look when lowered.

Flat Roman Fabric Shades

Flat Roman fabric shades are perfect for the casual, modern décor, offering a clean, uncluttered look. The flat Roman shade will hang flat when lowered and fold up neatly at the top when raised.

Solar Roman Shades

If you want a Roman shade that protects your interior, furnishings and upholstery from the harsh UV rays of direct sun, a Roman shade made with solar material fits the bill. The semi-sheer look of solar material gives your room a soft glow, keeping the room light and airy while still offering solar protection.

Blackout Roman Shades

If you need to darken a room completely, look for Roman style shades with a lining made with special blackout material.

Relaxed Roman Fabric Shades

With a relaxed swag on the bottom hem, a relaxed Roman fabric shade will give your room a comfortable, casual look. When lowered, the fabric falls smoothly and evenly, while the swag at the bottom adds a stylish decorator touch.

Natural Woven Flat Fold Shades

Nothing offers the natural warmth and texture of a woven shade. Choose from bamboo or woven blends to give your window treatment a warm and inviting look. When raised, the woven shade stacks neatly into flat folds and when lowered it lies flat and smooth. Woven flat Roman shades make a great alternative to regular bamboo or woven wood blinds.

Additional Roman Shade Variations

The variation of styles and materials is what makes Roman shades so attractive to homeowners and consumers looking for a unique, affordable window covering alternative. In addition to the styles mentioned above, look for these additional styles and variations:

• The Fresno style Roman shade incorporates a fabric end that is flared and fan-shaped at the bottom.
• The Belaire style Roman shade is finished with a curved arch shape. Typically the Belaire shade features a vertical pleat that runs up the middle of the shade.
• A Roman shade can also be fastened with decorative ribbon or cloth ties when rolled to the top of the window, enhancing its look and making it easy to fasten in place when raised.

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