Roman Shades Offer Versatility and Style

Roman shades can add a whole new dimension to your living space as they are simply styled and beautifully functional. They offer you unlimited design opportunities. Draperies and other window treatments can be used to dress up a shade but they are also very stylish on their own which makes them very versatile. There are many different types of roman shades available to suit your needs and décor.

Room darkening roman shades usually come with a opaque liner adhered to the back of the shade or a white backing to block light. This assures a uniform appearance from the street. These shades do a great job at blocking light and are useful in bedrooms, nurseries or media rooms.

In the average home at least 10 percent of the exterior walls are windows. The winter heat loss through a window can account for 10 to 30 percent of your total heating bill. Insulated roman shades can further reduce window heat loss and dramatically increase the comfort of your home year round. The insulating ability of these shades also reduces noise pollution from outside sources. Insulated roman shades merge fashion and function while considering your needs for comfort, style and energy savings.

Fabric roman shades offer the calming softness of fabric and the tailored look of a shade. They offer you the beauty of naturally filtered light while still being easy to operate and maintain. Roman shades are available in a wide range of colors and textures. They can be ordered with top down, bottom up operation and can be custom made to fit arch windows

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Varieties of Roman Shades

There are a plethora of types of and materials that make up roman shades. These window treatments are best known for their opulent feel and touch of elegance and class they bring to a home. They make any room look good and don't make it feel dated. They help reduce energy bills with their energy efficient qualities. They also block out almost all UV rays. Take a look at some of the most enjoyed varieties of these blinds.

1. Light Filtering Roman Shades. These shades are designed to offer privacy while letting light in. Polyester is the primary material used. There are varieties available that are both soil and dust resistant. It's a great way to bring a classic look to a child's bedroom or play area without having to worry about them getting ruined. There are cordless versions available and a variety of colors to choose from.

2. Blackout Roman Shades. Best suited for home theater rooms, these blinds look good while providing a dark, secluded atmosphere. They are great if you have problems sleeping because of the sun coming in through the windows or if you want to watch a movie without glare, or work from home and need a dark space to be creative.

3. Woven Wood Roman Shades. These blinds are pretty cool. They have the feel of the ocean, the beach and palm trees swaying. Synthetic brands avoid warping and maintain their color longer than real woven wood blinds or shades. They look as if branches were woven together and bring a delicate look to a room. These also come in cordless versions.

4. Textured Linen Roman Shades. Linen is a fabric associated with summer. It's breezy and soft. These help open up French doors or large windows. They also work to bring a design element to smaller windows.

5. Satin Roman Shades. Satin just looks good. It works in bedrooms, living rooms and studies. It can help enhance the colors in the furniture or bed linens. It can compliment mahogany and marble. These window treatments come in a variety of colors as rich as their material.

Roman shades are generally manufactured with cords. Therefore, if you have small children or pets you may want to request a cordless version. Most manufacturers offer a cordless variety now and if not, retrofit kits are available to make blinds safe. Discounts can be had on brands when you order from a major on-line retailer. Because they don't pay for rental space and they generally buy in bulk, they get savings they can pass on to you.

As new materials are developed, you can be sure the best of them will be incorporated into Roman Shades. These blinds never go out of style. They look great and increase the resale values of a home. They insulate and block UV rays. There's no reason not to buy some Roman Shades today.

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Decorating with Roman Shades

Roman shades are a popular addition to the window blind stable. They're a great way to make a home decorating statement. Their graceful gathers really add visual interest to any room. When they're raised, the fabric drapes into soft, tight folds. When they're lowered, the gentle folds relax into looser folds.

These shades can be lined to offer more insulation, and also more privacy and deflection of light. They can be used in any room in your home, from nearly any fabric. They look great as a foundation for a full window covering, as a backdrop curtains and valances. You might see them in cotton, suede and linen, among many other materials. They can be the focal point of the window covering, or they can be the background and supporting role for a bold curtain or valance. A cord that runs down the side of the shade controls the lifting and lowering. They can be raised completely to let light in and expose the entire window, or lowered to any level. The higher they're raised, the tighter the loops of fabric get. It almost appears to be a balloon valance, when all the loops are gathered at the top of the window. It doesn't matter how high the shade is raised, it always looks great. It never looks unfinished, or unkempt, or as if you should raise or lower it completely.

It doesn't take much talent to make Roman shades. Magazines, books and websites can walk you through the necessary steps. A visit to a craft store couldn't hurt, either, since they're full of ideas. Someone at the craft store can direct you toward the best resources. Once you make one set, you'll be unstoppable!

Once Roman shades are hung, the room takes on a completely different feel. The three dimensional curtain really draws your attention to the window. Which makes it even wiser to have a full display of window treatments. They can go with modern furnishings, or they can fit right in with a contemporary theme. They can have a casual look, or a more formal look. The material chosen makes all the difference. An ornately printed brocade would look much more formal than a light cotton. And the treatments around it can affect how it looks. A formal valance with a heavy drapery is much more formal than a light balloon valance paired with a sheer cotton panel.

Whether you choose a formal look or a casual look for your shades, windows never looked so good!

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