Interior design fashions change and there was a point when roman shades were perhaps considered a bit old-fashioned, but that is certainly not the case right now.

Versatility is probably one of the main reasons for the revival of roman blinds as they can be used to effortlessly blend into your home surroundings by offering you a choice of mood-creating looks such as bright and colorful or provide you with a more ethereal background.

Roman Shades

The beauty of roman shades is in their simplicity. They are made from a flat piece of material of your choice that can be folded up accordion style using a cord which lowers and raises the blind to the desired height.

You can use roman blinds to provide an element of light control in your room by lowering them down over the window and you can even gain a level of control over the temperature in your room if you choose to use an insulating fabric for your blind.

You should not just think of your roman blind as a way of controlling light and temperature because they also have the ability to bring an element of grace and style to your window dressing and the overall look and feel of your room. Simply raise the blind to the desired height and the decorative fabric instantly provides a graceful look that adorns your windows.

There are several distinct types of roman blinds to choose from:

Classic blinds

When you choose classic blinds such as ready made roman blinds, you are getting blinds that will look great over most windows and are made of fabric panels that are horizontally seamed at intervals of about 8-10 inches.

These pleating allows the blind to stack more neatly and gives the blind a more structured and tailored look than if you used one continuous roll of material without the pleats. Classic blinds look great in any environment or style so they will be equally attractive in a rustic farmhouse setting as they will in an urban apartment.

If you want to add an element of style and dimension to your decor then classic roman blinds are good solution to your interior design needs when it comes to dressing your window.

Flat roman blinds

If your room or style is more suited to big and bold patterns and designs then you may well want to consider choosing flat roman blinds for your window.

These blinds are made from one continuous piece of fabric and are hung flat directly in front of your window. Bold patterns and designs work much better without the horizontal seams that you get with classic blinds and flat roman blinds offer you a style that is simple and casual.

Relaxed roman shades

If you are looking for a style and design that encapsulates the look and feel of casual chic then relaxed roman shades would be the perfect choice.

These blinds are often used in less formal areas like a breakfast area or a family room as they have the ability to create a relaxed atmosphere with their soft finish.

The feature of a relaxed roman shade is that when it is raised the center of the shade bows down slightly as the sides are gently lifted up, creating a gentle fold that is pleasing on the eye.

Hobbled roman shade

If you are looking for a design statement from your blinds then a hobbled roman shade will be just perfect in this respect.

The feature of a hobbled shade is you get soft cascading folds of fabric that look stunning in the bedroom or dining room in particular. When you raise the blinds they stack into neat folds which instantly creates a more traditional and tailored style.

Whichever style of blind you choose for your home, you are sure to find the right type to make a design statement and change the look and feel of your room in an instant.

The opinions and views expressed in this story are not our own but that of the guest contributor to this post — William Dawson has decorated several homes in his long lifetime. Now retired, he enjoys writing about home decorating and improvement on the internet.

Photos Sources: 1. Taylor Lombardo Architects, 2. William Quarles Design, 3. MuseInteriors, 4. Sarah Barnard Design, 5. Schwartz and Architecture, 6. Sutro Architects, 7. Tobi Fairley Interior Design, 8. Willey Design LLC, 9. Cynthia Lynn Photography, 10. Elad Gonen Photography, 11. AMI Designs, 12. MLK Studio, 13. Amoroso Design, 14. Patrick Sutton Associates, 15. Munger Interiors, 16. Amoroso Design, 17. Johnson & Associates Interior Design, 18. Holly Durocher Design, 19. Lizette Marie Interior Design, 20. Darci Goodman Design