Though Roman shades have changed a lot over the years, their popularity here in the South has not! It’s no surprise—depending on the fabric and style you choose, they can add a touch of timeless elegance,  classic Southern comfort, or even a splash of colorful fun.

Today I’m sharing a few things you should know about picking the best Roman shades for your home.

Traditional Roman Shades

Traditional Roman shades are especially common here in the Birmingham area. (We make a TON of them in our workroom.)

They have the traditional, neatly stacked folds at the bottom of the shade, and they add a sense of timeless class to a room. If you ask me, they look like a million bucks!

Pro Tips:

• for safety, Roman shades should not have any strings on the side with cord locks
• rings should not be more than 6-8″ apart and should include ladder tape or ring locks (we help you with this part!)

Relaxed Roman Shades

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Relaxed Roman shades are like the pretty little sister of traditional Roman shades. With folds that drape beautifully in the middle, they still feel timeless, but they add a softer, more elegant look to a room.

Pro Tip:

• relaxed shades are best for areas where you won’t be moving them up and down a lot (because you have to tidy them each time you pull them up)

Austrian Shades

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Have you heard of Austrian shades? Instead of one set of folds like Roman shades, they have several side-by-side. Instead of opaque fabric, they’re sheer! My favorite part is how the sheer fabric creates an almost heavenly glow throughout a room. Bliss…

Pro Tips:

• rumor has it that this luxurious style is making a comeback in today’s homes
• Austrian shades are perfect for a dining room, living room, or other formal space! 

Blackout Fabric Options

Most Roman shades (not Austrian) are lined with additional fabric. In bedrooms especially, this lining is often made with blackout fabric.

Although blackout material works great on shades, it is still difficult to keep the light from peeking around the edges. For some, this is no big deal. For others, it might mean you need a different type of window treatment in your bedroom.

Pro Tip:

Give us a call to discuss which options are best for your space and desired lifestyle. We’re a wealth of knowledge for you and are happy to help you create your family’s special retreat.

Are Roman Shades Safe for Children’s Bedrooms?

This is an important topic! These days, there are so many standards with window treatments being compliant with child safety regulations.

For Roman shades, we’re able to make them in a way that the strings are inaccessible. They meet the compliance standards and the strings are unable to be pulled by wandering hands.

However, as a mother myself who believes in 110% safety, I still recommend that parents opt for a different window treatment solution in their children’s rooms.

Pro Tip:

• our best suggestion for kids’ rooms is to pair a faux shade (no strings at all) with a blackout roller shade for privacy
• get more tips for designing children’s spaces here

Which style do you like best? Which could you see bringing elegance to your living room? Relaxation to your bedroom? Joy to your laundry room?

However you want to feel in your home, you can bring it to life with the right surroundings! Give us a call and we’d love to help you get there…

Til next time,

Sheri