Roman Blinds

A Roman blind is the softest way to dress a window without curtains. Raised, the fabric gathers into neat, layered folds at the top of the window. Lowered, it hangs flat and smooth across the glass, showing off the full width of the fabric. That makes Roman blinds a lovely choice for a bold print or a textured weave you’d hate to hide behind folds of curtain.

Because a Roman blind is sewn rather than simply cut, the making matters. We measure each window ourselves, and every blind is made to those exact sizes. The result is folds that stack level, edges that hang true, and a blind that looks as though it was always part of the room.

Choosing a lining

The lining does as much work as the fabric on the front. It gives the blind weight, helps the folds hold their shape, and decides how much light and warmth gets through. We offer three:

• Standard lining. Adds body and gently softens daylight, while the room still feels bright. A good all-round choice for living and dining rooms.
• Blackout lining. Stops light passing through the fabric, so bedrooms stay darker in the early morning and screens are easier to see on bright afternoons. For a nursery or a shift worker’s bedroom, it’s also worth looking at our blackout blinds.
• Thermal lining. A heavier, insulating layer that can help reduce heat loss through the glass, especially in rooms that feel chilly once the sun goes down.

If you’re not sure which you need, think about when you use the room. A bedroom facing east will want blackout. A sitting room you mostly use on winter evenings may get the most from thermal.

Fabrics and fitting position

Roman blinds are where fabric choice really shows. Linens and textured weaves give a relaxed, natural feel. Velvets are rich and warm. Prints and stripes add personality to a plain room. At your home visit we hold samples up at the window, so you can see how each one looks in your own light and how a pattern falls across the folds.

Where the blind is fixed changes the look too. Inside the recess, a Roman blind gives a crisp, tailored finish and keeps the windowsill clear. Fixed above the frame and a little wider than the window, it makes the window appear taller, lets the raised folds sit clear of the glass and cuts down light at the edges, which is worth considering for a blackout-lined blind.

Pairing with curtains

A Roman blind looks finished on its own, but it also layers beautifully with dress curtains. We make and fit curtains too, so we can plan both at the same visit. If you’re torn between a Roman and something simpler, our honest guide to Roman vs roller blinds sets out the differences.

Where Roman blinds work best

Roman blinds come into their own in living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and studies. They suit period homes particularly well, sitting comfortably alongside picture rails, deep skirting boards and tall sash-style windows. They’re less suited to a steamy bathroom or the window behind the kitchen sink, where fabric can mark and lose its shape. In those rooms we’d steer you towards a waterproof or faux wood blind instead.

How it works

1. Get in touch. Call or WhatsApp 07902 945533, or request a quote online. We offer appointments 7 days a week.
2. Choose at home. We measure your windows, bring fabric and lining samples, and give you a free quote with no obligation.
3. Sewn to size. Each blind is made to the exact measurements we took.
4. Hung and checked. Our fitters put your blinds up and make sure the folds rise evenly. Fitting is included in your quote.

Roman blinds reward a little care in the choosing, and after 20 years of fitting them across Birmingham and the West Midlands, we’re happy to help you get it right. Tell us about the room and how you use it, and we’ll suggest the fabric and lining to match, whether that’s a light, airy blind for a sitting room or a dark, cosy one for the bedroom.