How to choose roman shades

Window decoration is one of the tricky tasks. You can, of course, hang the first curtain you find more or less you like, but ... Windows are an important part of the formation of the interior and the impression of your home largely depends on the choice. And I want it to be beautiful, cozy, comfortable and memorable. One of the possibilities to give your house or apartment your own style is to choose beautiful and comfortable curtains for the windows. And if you want them to be also modern and comfortable, pay attention to Roman blinds. These are the ones that can adhere to the window and gather in beautiful folds. How Roman blinds will look in the interior depends on how exactly you choose the color and fabric. This is what we will talk about.

What are Roman shades and what are they like

Curtains are called Roman curtains, they are a flat canvas, which, when closed, gathers upward, forming folds. This type of window decoration is convenient if you need short curtains to the windowsill. One of the main advantages of Roman blinds is that they take up a minimum of space, since they can be attached to the window frame. With this method of installation, the window sill can be used as a desktop.

The device of Roman blinds is simple. There is an upper bar, to which an adhesive tape is attached, there is a canvas with a weighting agent at the very bottom and a response adhesive tape sewn on top. When installing, a strip with Velcro is attached to the frame or wall above the window opening, and then the curtain itself is "molded" to it. Such a device makes it easy to wash.

This is what Roman shades look like

So that the fabric of Roman blinds rises up and gathers in folds, with a step of 20 to 30 cm, drawstrings are sewn to the canvas, into which the rods are then threaded. When you close the curtains, the rods rise upward, the fabric forming folds. This is an original way invented by the ancient Romans.

Roman shades are of two types: classic (left) and cascading (right). Differ in the presence / absence of folds in the open state

There are two types of Roman blinds: classic (regular) and cascading. Classic in the open state is a flat canvas, cascading always have a certain amount of folds. The second option fits better with art deco, country or traditional decor. But how Roman blinds look in the interior depends not so much on the type as on the chosen fabric. It is they who set the main "sound". So, basically, pay attention to the qualities and type of fabric.

Bay windows are worth mentioning separately. It is not easy to arrange them. One of the options is a Roman blind for each window. Since the installation is very simple, there will be no difficulties. The only difficulty is that you will have to open and close all the curtains, and this takes time, and even over time it starts to annoy.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of Roman blinds is that they look good both when folded and in "working" condition, they allow to close the window opening efficiently, without gaps. Well, many people like them precisely for their laconic form. Moreover, using different fabrics, you can make models for different styles - from strict minimalism to romantic Provence.

Not only do Roman blinds look original in the kitchen interior, they are also more functional than conventional options

The disadvantages of Roman blinds are more related to the features of operation:

• If the curtain does not cover the sashes individually, but the entire window, it is problematic to open it for airing with the curtain down.To get to the handle, you must either raise the curtain just above the handle, or dive under it. Given the weight at the bottom, this is not too easy.
• After washing, you have to disassemble a bunch of strings that stretch to each crossbar.
• When folded, Roman shades take up some space. That is, during the day they cover some of the glass. Which one exactly depends on the model and installation method.

These are the main pros and cons of Roman blinds. There is one more thing, but it is not important for everyone: with the curtains closed, you will not be able to “look out the window for a second”. Such is the disadvantage ...

How to choose the size

The width of a Roman shade depends on whether it will be common for the window, or there will be a separate curtain for each sash. For installation on a sash, measure the width of the glass on each sash taking glazing beads into account. This will be the minimum value, but the glass will definitely be closed and no one will be able to look inside. The maximum width depends on the width of the frame, but keep in mind that there must be at least a small gap between the adjacent curtains, so in this case you need to look for dimensions that are very close to the measurements, otherwise you simply will not be able to fix them.

A tight roman shade should cover the glass and be slightly wider

If the Roman blind is on the whole window, its canvas should be at least 5 cm wider than the window opening. In principle, here you can focus on the width of the window sill - it will visually look better if the curtain and the window sill are the same.

With this installation method, focus on the width of the window opening

The length (height) is somewhat simpler: it should not be less than the window opening or the sash height. If there are only slightly larger models in standard sizes, this is not a big deal. The appearance or function will not be worse from this. There is only one limitation: the maximum height must be less than 3 meters, since the length of the thread in the mechanism of the Roman shade is not more than 3 meters.

Roman blinds in the interior

Roman shades in the interior of kitchens, children's rooms, living rooms and offices can be seen in combination with tulle. With such a combination, they "work" as night curtains, therefore they are sewn from dense fabrics that do not transmit light. Another option is solo, without any additions. So you can use them on glazed balconies or loggias, in any room, if you are not worried that during the day someone can look into your windows. This is how - just "Romanes" without additions - can often be seen in private houses, where the windows overlook the backyard and no one else can be there.

Thick and translucent fabrics can be used in different ways

Sometimes roman blinds are used instead of tulle. In this case, they are sewn from translucent fabrics. In this version, they fit perfectly into minimalism or modern style, where folds are accepted only conditionally. A flat panel is what you need. However, please note thatheating radiators should be covered with decorative screens or furniture under the window. The exception is exclusive models of heating devices, which themselves can serve as interior decoration.

In the kitchen

Roman blinds in the interior of the kitchen are appropriate for almost any design style. Most often they can be seen in those kitchens where the windowsill is used as a work surface. It is difficult to think of a more appropriate alternative. Concretion can be, perhaps, roller blinds, but they are not so spectacular.

Even if the kitchen window sill does not bear any functional load, Roman blinds next to tiles and household appliances look better than the folds and folds of traditional designs.

The choice of colors and colors is a matter of taste for the owners, but the principles of color compatibility must be taken into account. There are several traditional solutions:

• The fabric is to use solid neutral colors (white and its shades, beige, gray). They are combined with any colors and, as a rule, are present in the decoration of the room.
• Solid Roman shades in bright colors. They are matched to existing items or decorative elements. It can be one of the colors on the walls, in the upholstery, on the furniture facade, etc.
• Colored - striped, checked, flowered. These curtains are the highlight of the interior and immediately attract attention. At least one of the colors should be repeated in other interior items. And the principle of selecting a picture depends on the style in which the interior is made.

Only if you choose roman blinds for the kitchen, look for fabrics that are easy to wash. Linen, velvet, tapestry, brocade - all this for other premises. For the kitchen, impregnated cotton or some well-washable and anti-allergenic synthetics are suitable.

In the children's room

Let's start by listing the practical benefits of using Roman blinds in a children's room. First, in pupils' rooms there is often a table by the window. So the curtains to the windowsill are exactly what you need. Second: if the child is still very young, short curtains are also a plus - he cannot reach them, which means he will not pull them over his head. The third plus for allergy sufferers: less fabric will collect less dust.

In addition to these positive aspects, it is necessary to add to the piggy bank the fact that children and adolescents like Roman blinds more. They can be with thematic drawings, depicting the heroes of your favorite cartoon, group, etc., or they can be strict and monochromatic. At this point, whoever likes something, since preferences are different at different ages. But the fact remains: you can find any design. If there is no ready-made one, you can either sew the canvas or order its production.

Living room

Roman blinds in the living room interior can be matched to any style. Here they are often combined with either tulle or traditional curtains. And in combination, and "solo", they can be in the living room of any style and direction. The classic model can be decorated on the bottom with tassels, a border or in some other way decorated. These types are suitable for classic interiors.

Oddly enough, but it is Roman blinds that will perfectly fit into minimalism and art deco and hi-tech. Other fabrics are used. Plain dyed, with a flat surface are suitable for minimalism, for high-tech you can find fabrics with a shine very similar to the shine of metal (something like satin).

Any models and interiors of ethnic type will be good. It's just that you need to select your own fabrics for each style. For Scandinavian interiors, plain Roman shades are more suitable, possibly with a denser or woven pattern.

Bedroom

Roman blinds in the bedroom are no less relevant than in the living room. When used in place of tulle curtains, they will more reliably block the view while maintaining privacy. By choosing the density of the material, you can make daylight more or less dim. If desired, it will be possible to raise the curtain, letting in more light. In general, there are day / night curtains with stripes made of two types of material - light-transmitting and non-transmitting. In this situation, they will be very useful.

Such a combination is also not bad in operation: Roman blinds are used as night blinds, they are attached to the glass, and day blinds are tulle, as usual, on cornices... There are other options - only "rims" or in combination with traditional linear curtains. They are good if you don't care if someone can look through your windows or not.

If we talk about fabrics, then they are selected to match textiles, wall decoration, facades or furniture upholstery. They can be of their own design, but the color and pattern should be in harmony with the environment.