Whether you’re considering replacing your old window coverings or just want to replace your blinds, there are several factors to consider when deciding on which blinds are best for your home. Fabrics, colours, patterns, and sizes all need to be considered. Fortunately, the process is simple – follow the guidelines below to make the right choice. Read on to discover how to select the best roman blinds for your home!
Fabrics
There are several types of fabrics suitable for Roman Blinds. Fabrics used for roman blinds can be woven or thermal coated. Coated linings give added stability to the blinds. Woven linings are usually dim out and rarely block out, but they are soft and fall with the fabric. Interlining can be bumph (baby weight) or interline (mid-weight). The latter is thicker and requires a deeper stack of folds to achieve the same effect.
While you are choosing the fabric for your blinds, you should avoid using upholstery fabrics. These fabrics are thick and are treated with chemicals to be fire-retardant, so they won’t fold. However, velvet and chenille are excellent choices for roman blinds. The heavyweight fabric will give the blinds more volume when folded. Moreover, most upholstery fabrics are not suitable for roman blinds. They contain thick layers and are treated with fire retardant synthetics to make them more sturdy.
Size
There are several things to keep in mind when choosing the size of your Roman blinds. First, you need to determine how many panels will fit in your window recess. To do this, take three measurements across the inside of the window, then measure down from this point. Write down the measurements, leaving space for any omissions. Once you have the measurements, you can choose the ‘Recess Size’ option, which is the narrowest measurement across the window recess, and the shortest measurement down. You can also add 5mm to the top and bottom measurements to make the correct number. This will determine the overall length and width of your blinds.
Another thing to keep in mind is the length of the Roman blinds. For example, a long window will need a longer blind than a short one. A good rule of thumb is to measure the inside and outside window depths. Then, take those measurements into account when choosing a length. If you’re using Roman blinds in a smaller window, keep in mind that they may overlap and move objects close to the window.
Patterns
For a kitchen, a set of Roman blinds should be about 10 cm wider than the window, or more if the space is smaller. The wider web will conceal pipes and other fixtures in the room, but it will also cover up the window sill by 10 cm. Kitchen Roman curtains may be made of any fabric, though synthetic materials are more practical. Natural materials can be difficult to wash and iron. If you want a curtain to last for years, you can choose one with a higher density.
For a more sophisticated look, try roman blinds with a relaxed style. Relaxed roman blinds are made of one continuous fabric, while classic and hobbled roman blinds are separated with wooden dowels. These styles tend to have a neat, folded, or pleated appearance. Relaxed roman shades, which are also called European blinds, let the fabric flow naturally, adding a touch of softness to a stiff style. For a more traditional style, you can choose light-weight fabrics in a neutral or earth tone, and use contrasting ribbons to make the panels look more elegant.
Colours
Depending on the style of your home, there are many different colour schemes for your Roman blinds. Neutral shades enhance natural light and brighten any room, while patterned fabrics add visual interest. Brighter colours are a good choice for living rooms, but be aware that spillages will show up on these shades, and you will have to remove them to clean them. However, if you are not sure what colour scheme you want, you can always try mixing and matching fabrics.
There are two basic types of Roman shades: inside and outside mount. Inside mounts are the most common. In order to select the correct size for your window coverings, you should take measurements of the width, height, and depth of your window. When measuring the length, make sure to round the measurements to the nearest 1/8 inch. If your window is narrower than a standard blind, a flat fold shade is ideal for your home.
Fitting
If you’re planning to install roman blinds in your home, you’ll need to know a few tips for fitting them correctly. Generally speaking, the blinds should be cut 10 millimetres smaller than the window recess, but you should take additional allowances for wall-mounted brackets and lintels. Also, be sure that they fit properly on the windowsills. Using a carpenter’s pencil, mark the brackets at the correct distance from each side of the shade.
To fit your roman blinds, make sure to mark the wall with a pencil so you can drill holes. Then, push the headrail into the brackets and secure it to the wall. This process shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. You may want to consider using a spirit level to check that everything is level. Once you’ve secured the blinds, you can move on to mounting them. Remember that fitting them is a lot easier than you might think!
Fabrics to avoid
When choosing a fabric for roman blinds, think of the look you want to achieve. Ideally, the fabrics you choose should have a muted colour palette, avoiding bright and striking hues. On the other hand, a calm and soothing color palette is ideal for the bedroom. Similarly, fabrics with vertical stripes are good because they visually elongate the window. Avoid patterns with horizontal striations and skewiffs.
You can also select different lengths for the roman shades. Choosing the right lengths for your window can be crucial, especially if the window is not standard. There are also several fabrics to avoid, which might be unsuitable for some rooms. Listed below are some fabrics to avoid: