What are Roman blinds?

Inspiration

BY Abi Clewley

Published: 29 January 2019 Updated: 25 March 2024

Inspiration
Tags: Blinds, Roman

Roman blinds are growing in popularity, in both modern and traditional houses. Read on to find out just what the attraction is all about.

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Roman blinds are a simple panel of fabric that can be raised, neatly folding into layers at the top of your window to let in the light, or lowered to gently cascade down, allowing you to control the light.
They’re an ideal solution for many spaces, working as effectively as one single blind or as part of a series, such as in this bay window, and that versatility is part of their appeal.

Roman blinds are known for their elegant and refined appearance. Their smooth and uninterrupted fabric panels create a sleek and sophisticated look that adds a touch of class to any room. They offer a perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality, providing privacy, light control, and insulation. In this article, we will explore the benefits of Roman blinds and why they continue to be a preferred window covering for many.

Roman blinds can be made from a wide variety of fabrics from cotton to silk, synthetic to linen and part of their appeal is the wide variety not only of fabric type but also the wide range of textures available. Real and faux velvets sit alongside embroidery and brocade, jostling with modern metallic and classic linens.

One of the reasons Roman blinds are so popular is the wealth of colour options. Whether you prefer a neutral colour scheme or something more vibrant it’s highly likely that you’ll find the ideal colour to match your room. Creams and greys are eternally popular, and never go out of style, but we offer a wide range of everything in between too.

Pattern can bring the smallest of touches or become the focal point, and works surprisingly well on Roman blinds. People often make the mistake of thinking that you lose the impact of a pattern when the blind is raised but that’s not always the case and depends on the pattern. A geometric pattern can be just as effective as the repetition still makes its mark on the folds of the material, as does any pattern that is more vertical. But you can also use it to your advantage – a large pattern that could be overwhelming if used as curtains feels less intrusive as a single panel of fabric.

Roman blinds provide excellent light control and privacy. When fully closed, they effectively block out the sunlight, creating a cosy and dimmed ambiance in your room. However, when partially open, they allow natural light to filter through, creating a soft and warm glow. With Roman blinds, you have the flexibility to adjust the amount of light entering your space, depending on your mood and preference. Moreover, they offer a high level of privacy, ensuring that prying eyes from the outside are kept at bay.

Roman blinds are an excellent choice for rooms with limited space or small windows. Unlike curtains, Roman blinds occupy minimal space when fully raised, as they stack up evenly in neat horizontal folds. This compact design allows for unobstructed views and creates a sense of openness in the room. Roman blinds are an ideal solution for maintaining a clean and streamlined aesthetic, especially in modern and minimalist interiors.

Roman blinds operate by what’s called a sidewinder – a mechanism that’s hidden in the headrail, containing a continuous chain. Fibre rods, concealed by the lining, allow the fabric to fold neatly as it’s raised when the sidewinder is activated. To lower the blind, you simply reverse the procedure.

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Roman blinds have moved with the times, embracing technology and can now be smart electric, meaning they can be controlled by a remote, an app on your smartphone or tablet or even by voice, if you have a compatible home voice command system by Amazon or Google. It's a great option for lots of different reasons and not just making the operation easier, though it certainly does that.

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If you have blinds that are tricky to access, such as those behind a sink or furniture you won't have to stretch to manually raise or lower them anymore. Multiple blinds can be controlled all at one go - ideal for conservatories or rooms with lots of blinds. The app allows you to set timers and schedules so your blinds can be raised in the morning and lowered at night, ideal if you're away as they create the illusion of someone being at home. But it's also really practical too - if you use a room at a certain time of day you know how the blinds need to be positioned and schedules let you set that scene and recreate it at the touch of a button or simple command.

Linings can be a really important consideration and all our Roman blinds feature a lining as standard.
If your blind is in a bedroom, you should consider a blackout lining, to help reduce the light flow through the fabric, but remember you’ll still experience some seepage of light around the edges.
You can also opt for our interlining – a luxury quilted lining that adds visual fullness and helps trap heat. It also adds depth to the stack of the blind when it’s folded, due to the thickness of the lining, so is best suited to smaller windows.

Summary

So there you have it. Roman blinds and smart electric Roman blinds are a versatile and practical choice that offer a classic look at any window large or small. Whether you have a single feature blind or a series of multiple blinds, they can provide colour, pattern and texture, increase the thermal efficiency of a room or bring a degree of blackout too. Manual or powered they're one of the most popular window furnishings you can choose.

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Our new collection sees a host of new fabrics added to our range, from modern boucle to traditional linens, plus sustainable fabrics for a more positive environmental impact. Explore the collection here.