Roman Shades
Custom Roman Shades - Flat Fold, Soft Fold & Hobbled Styles for Maryland, Virginia & DC Homes
Roman shades are undeniably one of the longest-lasting window treatments options on the market, and they’re that way for a reason. They combine the softness and warmth of fabric drapes with the clean and efficient action of a shade. From a well-lit living room in Bethesda to a sun-filled master bedroom in McLean and a sleek kitchen in Alexandria, custom roman shades are the perfect blend of style and utility.
At Buy Home Blinds, we make each roman shade to fit your window perfectly. Fabric, fold style, lining, and control system are all options you select. We do the rest – from our free home consultation, to our expert guidance, to measuring and installing with precision across Maryland, Virginia and DC.
Why Roman Shades Are the Most Versatile Window Treatment
Roman shades have a special niche in the window coverings category. Roman shades are different from roller shades in the sense that they bring up the fabric completely when lowered and thus are as decorative as functional. They are not required to have a rod, to stand on the floor or to block the wall if left open, unlike curtain panels. The fabric folds and folds conveniently and cleanly when raised, providing ample natural light without visual obstructions.
It is this blend of beauty and usefulness that makes roman shades fit in for traditional, transitional and contemporary rooms alike. They can be formal in a silk damask, casual in linen, bold in a graphic pattern of a geometric design, or natural in a woven pattern of an organic design. There is no other window treatment that can provide this many personalities in a single window treatment category.
Additional advantages include:
- Window customization of any size, including wide windows and specialty shapes
- Available in a range of styles for light filtering, privacy, or complete blackout
- Lift systems for children that are cordless and motorized for safety and convenience
- Sustainable floor linings that improve indoor climate all year round
- A clean and well tailored look for re-selling and interior styling
Our Three Roman Shades Styles Explained
When ordering custom roman shades, the most crucial decision is selecting the right style of fold. These each will provide a different look and act differently when raised and lowered.
Flat Fold Roman Shades
The most modern of the three is the flat fold. The shade is fully flat against the window when it’s lowered, and there are no visible seams, horizontal stitching or horizontal breaks in the fabric. It is perfect for larger patterns, graphic designs and textiles with strong print, as the design will be continuous.
Raised, the fabric folds itself clean, horizontally. This creates a minimalistic and architectural style that works particularly well in contemporary and transitional styles. The flat fold roman shade is the easiest to operate, the least expensive and the least complicated to dress once it is put into operation starting at $224.72.
Soft Fold Roman Shades
This soft fold style, also known as a hobbled or waterfall roman shade, produces soft folds at same intervals (usually 6″) on the front of the shade. Although fully lowered, it still leaves a sense of dimension and fullness, lending windows a more dimensional and luxurious look.
Perfect for formal dining rooms, master bedrooms, and traditional living rooms where a more ornate window treatment is preferred. Solid fabrics and simple textures work well in this look and the fold can be a feature. Available from $290.44.
Plain Roman Shades
Our plain roman shades use stay pockets stitched to the back of the shade to create structured pleats that are visible from the front. This is a more personalised, precise line effect as compared to flat fold but without the dramatic plop of the soft fold. The plain style is easily perfect for most fabrics and is suitable for casual and semi-casual use. Available from $259.70.
Soft Fold Roman Shades
The soft flow of this style is created by hobbling the face fabric onto the lining at regular intervals. This creates cascading soft folds at 6″ intervals
$290.44
Plain Roman Shades
A structured contemporary look that requires minimal dressing. Stay pockets on the back of the shade create pleats which look great with most fabrics
$259.70
Flat Fold Roman Shades
A simple, elegant, tailored design with no horizontal seams or stitching. Excellent choice for fabrics with large scale patterns that look best without interruption
$224.72
Choose the Right Fabric for Your Roman Shades
No other decision will make as much of a difference in your shade as the fabric choice. Roman shades are available in a variety of materials and can be used in any room according to the design needs. Roman shades are most often made from linen or blends of linen and other fabrics. They have a natural and relaxed style that will not only work in many interior styles, including coastal, transitional, and minimalist Scandinavian. Linen has a soft and subdued effect and matures with age. Cotton fabrics provide crispness and a clean drape. Ideal for flat fold style, they hold patterns especially well, and are a preferred choice for geometric and graphic prints. For high traffic zones such as kitchens and family rooms, polyester or performance blends are a good option as they are easy to care for and durable. Numerous polyester textiles are now designed to mimic the appearance of linen and cotton without absorbing water, fading or staining. Solids, stripes, florals, geometric, and textured weaves are all available. Request free fabric samples online from us before making your final choice.Light Control and Lining Options
While the type of fabric will dictate the ground level of light filtration, it is the type of lining that will make the difference in true light control.
Unlined roman shades allow the most natural light to pass through. They are ideal for rooms that don’t require privacy and want a softer, more muted light, like a reading nook or a sunroom.
When installed on the back of the shade, privacy lining filters the rest of the light while not completely preventing it from entering. It greatly improves privacy from the street, and is ideal for an outdoor living room or first floor bedroom.
Blackout lining is recommended for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms where complete darkness is desired. When installed, our blackout lined roman shades can block 99% of the light that enters your room, resulting in improved sleep and rest during the day.
Thermal lining provides an insulating layer to minimise heat transfer through the window. This will reduce the amount of solar gain in rooms during the summer. It forms a barrier to cold drafts in winter. If you live in an area with long hot summers and cold winters in Maryland or Virginia, thermal lining is a good investment that will eventually save you energy costs.
Control Options: Cordless, Motorized and Continuous Cord Loop
To open and close the roman shade, it should be done in a manner that reflects your lifestyle.
Most homeowners will prefer cordless lift for its easiest usability. Shade is manually handled by a simple push or pull with no show cord visible on the face of the shade. This is the best choice for households with children and pets because there aren’t any dangling cords to create a tripping hazard. Additionally, it provides the freshest, the most contemporary look.
A motorized lift lets you control your Roman shades remotely with a wall switch, or via your smartphone. Motorized shades can connect to your smart home systems such as Google Home and/or Amazon Alexa, enabling you to program when and how much shade to roll up and down, as well as to control multiple shades from one location, and automate shade function throughout the day.
Continuous cord loop is intended for the larger, heavier roman shades that would not be suitable for a cordless spring mechanism. The cord must be fastened to the wall or window frame to prevent it from being played or dangled, yet it must be able to operate with ease and minimal effort.
Top down / bottom up on selected roman shades lets you shade down the top of the window while leaving the bottom up for privacy or shade up the bottom and leave the top open so you can get window light from above.
Roman Shades by Room
Living Room
Roman shades are an essential design feature in the living room. Opt for a neutral shade or a pattern that ties your furniture and wall color together, or try a daring spot-on design as an accent. A lift, powered by a cordless or motorized system, maintains a neat appearance for any daytime parties.
Bedroom
The bedroom is calling for blackout or privacy lining combined with fabric for calm and comfort. Linen or cotton are good choices for textures when it comes to adult bedrooms, using soft muted colours. A playful texture with a hard-wearing and clean fabric is ideal for kids' spaces. All children's rooms always use cordless.
Dining Room
In the dining room, the use of roman shades creates an intimate feeling with less formal atmosphere than the full drapery. Using a soft-fold in a patterned or textured fabric can liven up the evening and still be easy to use for dining. Top down / bottom up is a good option for dining rooms with access to a street or garden that need daylight through a lower window but not an upper one.
Kitchen
Moisture resistant polyester or treated cotton fabrics are fabulous choices for kitchens. A plain fold in solid or stripe will help to maintain the simplicity and cleanliness of the garment. Untreated shades over time can allow grease and cooking humidity to soak in, so avoid using the unlined shades in a kitchen environment.
Inside Mount vs Outside Mount: Which Is Right for You?
Inside Mount is a mount that holds the shade inside the window frame. This will give a clean recessed effect that highlights window trim and is best for windows that have good depth. Do measure the real inside width at the top, middle and bottom of the frame and use the smallest width.
Outside mount shades are attached above and outside the window frame. This is the preferred option if you’re trying to create a larger window, when the window frame is shallow, if attempting to block as much light as possible, and when you need a window shade to cover a window with an obstructed view. When outside mounts, fabric should be extended 3 inches away from the frame on each side.
Still don’t know which to select? We can assist you through your complimentary in-home consultation.
Why Choose Buy Home Blinds
Custom window treatments Maryland VA DC is a trusted name for window treatments in Maryland, Virginia and DC, USA, provided by Buy Home Blinds. Each of the roman shades that we sell is geared towards your needs, no sizes off the shelf, no cutting corners when it comes to the fabric quality.
We offer complimentary fabric samples to allow you to see and experience the fabric in your own home prior to purchase. We’ll visit your windows at your home, and offer our expertise in choosing the right window, fabric and control for each room without a charge. Since homeowners can’t be expected to perform European installation, we have the professional, skilled crews available to handle this task for you, ensuring a precision fit every time.
Reach us at (301) 847-7000 or schedule your free consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roman Shades
What is the difference between roman shades and roller shades?
Roman shades are a fabric shade that folds horizontally into layers when lifted, providing a soft and layered appearance. Roller shades have a tube at the top of the window which they roll when extended and flatten when extended. Roman shades tend to be more decorative, whereas a minimal and contemporary look is achieved with roller shades.
Are roman shades good for bedrooms?
Yes. With a blackout or privacy lining, roman shades are an excellent bedroom choice. They offer complete control of light, add a touch of elegance and are finished in a variety of fabrics that help create a peaceful and relaxing feel. The cordless lift function is highly recommended for kids’ bedrooms.
How do I measure my windows for roman shades?
If you are mounting inside, then measure the inside width of the window frame at the top, middle and bottom of the window. Be sure to take the smallest measurement. Determine the inside height, from top of the frame to the sill. If mounting outside, allow at least 3 inches of space around each side of the frame and hang the shade 2 to 4 inches from the frame. For full step-by-step info check out our How to Measure page.
Can roman shades be motorized?
Yes. Available in a quiet smooth lift system that supports remote controls, wall switches and smart home systems such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa, we offer motorized roman shades. Motorized shades are perfect for high or hard-to-reach windows, larger shade widths and owners who value convenience of motorized window light control.
What fabrics are available for roman shades?
We supply roman shades in linen, cotton, polyester and blends, in a variety of colors and patterns, solids, stripes, florals, and patterns with a geometric design. Request free samples of fabrics from our website to view and touch fabrics in the home before deciding.
How do I clean roman shades?
Regular dusting is recommended for most fabric roman shades using a soft brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Spot-clean small stains with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Don’t soak the cloth. Certain polyester and performance blend fabrics are able to be stripped off and hand washed. Before cleaning, refer to the care label for the particular fabric you are using.
What is the difference between a flat fold and a soft fold roman shade?
A flat fold roman shade has no horizontal folds or stitching discernible when flat closed. The fabric is smooth and continuous, and it would be great for eye-catching prints. Soft fold roman shades feature loops of fabric hobbled every 6 inches, even when spread out, and make for dimensional, more traditional shades.
Do roman shades provide energy efficiency?
Yes, if an order is placed with a thermal lining. Thermal lined Roman shades form an insulating barrier at the window which will help lower the transfer of heat in warmer or cooler temperatures. This will help stabilize the temperature in the room and also decrease the usage of heating and cooling ventilation systems, which can ultimately save money.
How long does it take to receive custom roman shades?
Order sizes and fabric availability will affect the lead time. Simply ask us, or come in and schedule a free consultation, and we will give you an accurate production and delivery schedule for your specific order.
Do you serve areas outside Maryland, Virginia, and DC?
With our customized Roman shades online store, we deliver our custom shades of Roman blinds across the nation. Currently offering in-home services and consultation services in the Maryland, Virginia and DC metro area for professional installation. Call us on (301) 847-7000 so we can talk about where you’re located and what services you need.