Roman blinds are a simple, elegant, and very contemporary method of dressing a window.

Consisting of a simple square of fabric, the blind is pulled up into an attractive waterfall of folds by a series of cords at the back.

Roman blinds use very little fabric and as such offer an affordable way to dress your windows.

This image demonstrates the simple waterfall pleats formed once the blind has been pulled up into its open position.

As in the first picture, the blind has been set inside the recess of the window. While this arrangement usually looks the best, roman’s may also be fitted outside the window so that they overlap the opening.

Roman blinds form a simple, flat window feature. As you can see in this image, the blind may be used in conjunction with other window treatments if desired, to further enhance and dress the window.

This example shows a heavily patterned roman blind set inside the window reveal. A decorative curtain pole has then been fixed above the window and a simple pencil pleat curtain hung and draped to one side. This forms a natural ‘framing’ of the window and has the effect of creating drama and impact without costing the earth!

These roman blinds have been used in conjunction with smart pelmets set above the window on pelmet boards ( see stiff pelmets). This really makes something of a window and allows for different shapes and styles to be used to suit you.

The first picture uses the same fabric on both the pelmet and the blind. A simple blue border has been applied to the smart pelmet and then this theme has been continued down onto the roman blind by applying two small blue borders inset from the edge. The second picture shows the effect of using different, co-ordinating fabrics. The pelmet has been made using a smart check while the blind itself has been made in a yellow fabric that matches the check.

As in the picture, try using a part of the design from the pelmet fabric, such as part of a strip or border pattern, to apply to the plain fabric of the blind. This ties the two together and allows for more expensive fabrics to be used on the pelmet and less expensive, plain fabrics to be used on the blind.

These two pictures show how various trims and finishing touches can be used to make the blind more individual.

The first picture shows a bobble fringe added to the bottom edge of the blind while the second picture shows a co-ordinating cord and tassel detail. Sumptuous fabrics have been used for both blinds and the trimming detail adds to the richness.

Inexpensive fabrics can be used for the blinds, but the application of beaded trims, tassels, ribbon, bullion fringe can make a blind look more expensive without breaking the bank!

Roman blinds are suitable for virtually any type of window. Versatile, economical and smart, roman’s really are one of the most universal forms of window treatments.

As in the picture, they can even go around bay windows! So be adventurous, combine different fabrics, trims, borders and colours to really make your window an individual feature. Roman blinds do not have to be plain or boring!

The only fabric needed is a panel the size of your window, approx 16’’ for the bottom fold, and the lining. It must be noted that if the window is wider than the fabric width, then it is standard practice to add a fabric panel either side so that the joins are even and the blind is balanced.

home zone uses the latest technology to make their roman blinds. Gone are the days of endless strings and cleat hooks to get tangled in. Illustrated here is the side winder mechanism that we use on our romans. This acts very much like a roller blind mechanism and ensures perfect, smooth operation of the blind every time. It also means that the blind will open and close into perfect pleats every time, no need for all that fiddly adjusting to make the folds sit square!