Top Tips to Get Custom Roman Blinds Right Every Single Time
Custom roman blinds are equal parts practical and pretty. They have the crisp, fitted function of a blind and the soft, tailored look of curtains, so they work as a hard-working window treatment and a design statement at the same time.
Getting the most from them takes a little planning, a few fabric samples and some insider know-how. Whether it’s your first set of made-to-measure roman blinds or your fifth, these five tips from our stylists will help you get them right every time: choosing the fabric, picking the fold style, deciding where to mount the blind, measuring accurately and choosing the lining.
Tune into Textiles: Choose A Fitting Fabric
With a crisp, fitted window treatment like custom roman blinds, the fabric is the first element that makes an impression on the eye. The colour, pattern and texture of the textile stand tall with nothing else to claim attention.
How elaborate or simple, how traditional or modern, how casual or formal - the stylistic language of a room comes through loud and clear with the choice of fabric.
A velvet window blind immediately reads as luxury whereas a linen roman blind gives off a holiday home vibe. Similarly, a damask roman blind gives a traditional taste to the decor while a modern geometric print gives it a contemporary edge.
So, when shopping for your roman blinds online with us, ask three questions in the context of each room - which material, which colour, and which pattern (if at all). Relay your decor style, the mood of the space, and the feeling that you anticipate creating in the room - all with the right fabric for your window blind.
Find Your Fold: Select A Suitable Fold Style
Unlike industrially produced blinds that disappear into a cassette when rolled up - thereby leaving the window looking bare - roman blinds continue to dress the window like an elegant valance when not in use. The blind folding to form a neat stack and unfolding downward in a typical concertina style is its esteemed wow factor.
But while many of our first-time clients come to us assuming all roman blinds look and function the same, they are pleasantly surprised to learn that we offer multiple fold options to meet the mandates of various decor settings.
The White Window offers roman blinds in three fold styles -
The right choice of fold style hinges upon several factors like the decor style, fabric choice, and mood of the room, among other things. Ultimately, the goal is to pick the fold style that is the optimal combination of the aesthetics and functionality you desire. For a detailed exploration of each fold style, please browse our Roman Blinds Style Guide.
Pick Your Placement: Decide the Mounting Position
Roman blinds can be mounted in two positions: snugly inside the window frame or outside the window frame on the wall or ceiling. Both mounting positions come with certain advantages, each being particularly well-suited for certain settings.
The bespoke nature of roman blinds is especially highlighted in the inside-mounted position as inside-mounted blinds have to be stitched to the specific dimensions of the window to be so well-fitted. The proximity to the window pane also enables the blinds to obstruct light and heat at its entry point itself. And if your window has an ornate trim, you can flaunt it with an inside-mount blind.
In the outside-mounting position, the roman blind is affixed to the wall above the window or the ceiling above. The blind is typically extended a few centimetres beyond the window trim to offer more coverage, so light leaks at the edges are minimal in this position. This style is recommended when the window recess is not deep enough to mount the blind inside and when the window is not rigged up with elaborate trim.
It is also the better choice when you want to make the most of a small window as the blind can be mounted high enough so it stacks on the wall above instead of taking any room from the window itself. Besides, when the roman blind is mounted outside extending its dimensions generously on all sides, it will make the window look larger than it is.
The mounting position is an important decision to be made when dressing your windows with roman blinds as it has an impact on their visual appeal as well as functional adeptness. Luckily, you have all the aid you need in our blog on the Inside vs. Outside Mounting Position to help you pick the mounting position that best caters to your requirements and preferences.
Master the Math: Measure Accurately for Your Roman Blinds
A roman blind is nothing but a perfect-fit attire for the window. So, getting the measurements right is of utmost importance. Every millimetre counts - especially if the blind is intended to be mounted inside the window frame.
In the inside mounting position, an oversized blind will not fit into the window at all. But, should it be under the mark, it will look like a shoddy job, and the light leaks will be beyond control too. Similarly, in the outside mounting position, while a slight missing of the mark will make little difference, missing by a meaningful degree will leave the blind less capable of containing light leaks from the edges.
So, depending on the position you choose to mount, adopt the right measurement technique as outlined in our Roman Blinds Measurement Guide. Aim for flawless measurement and precise specification in the order so that you get a well-fitting roman blind.
Line for Longevity: Pick the Right Lining
Lining - or the lack of it - has a visible impact on the way a roman blind looks, functions and lasts. The purpose of the lining is to add volume and wholesomeness, protect the face fabric from sun damage, and minimise wear and tear from usage. A lined roman blind lasts longer and looks better for its age.
To ensure that our clients make the best of their roman blinds from us, we offer two kinds of lining: privacy and blackout. Privacy lining comes in white and its prime purpose is to support and protect the face fabric. The folds get more crisp as the blind gets a sturdier shape when it is lined. This lining is suitable when you’re not looking for a high degree of room darkening or insulation.
The blackout lining offers everything that a privacy lining does with some additional assets. It blocks light substantially, muffles shrill sounds and forms an insulative layer between the internal and external environment of the house. It can also noticeably reduce heat loss through the window, helping the room stay at a comfortable temperature. It comes in white, pale beige or pale grey, and these qualities make it especially ideal for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms.
So, when ordering your made-to-measure roman blinds, pay as much attention to the question of lining as you do to select the face fabric. Your choice may change from room to room based on its aesthetic language, light control requirements and face fabric. In order to make a more informed decision on lining your roman blind appropriately or to leave it unlined for best results, refer to our detailed guide on Lining for Roman Blinds.
Custom Roman Blinds: FAQs
Why choose custom roman blinds over ready-made ones?
A custom roman blind is made to your window’s exact size, in the fabric, lining and fold style you choose, so it fits neatly and suits the room. Ready-made blinds come in set sizes and a narrow range of fabrics.
What sizes do your made-to-measure roman blinds come in?
Any width up to 240 cm and any drop up to 275 cm. Our fabrics are 137 cm wide, so blinds wider than about 125 cm have a neat vertical joining seam.
Why are fabric samples worth ordering first?
Colours and textures look different in your own light and next to your walls and furniture. Our samples are 12 × 12 cm and arrive in 7–10 days.
Which lining should you choose for a custom roman blind?
Privacy lining (white) suits most rooms; blackout lining, in white, pale beige or pale grey, suits bedrooms and nurseries; sheers are usually left unlined. Back-slatted flat fold blinds are always lined, and custom lining colours are available on request.
Can you choose which side the cord goes on?
Yes. Choose the left or right for the pull cord, and a white or silver cord finish. Every blind comes with a cord anchor to keep the cord neatly fixed to the wall.
Do custom roman blinds come ready to put up?
Yes. Ours arrive pre-assembled with all their hardware, ready to mount; our installation guide walks you through fitting them.
What is the most common mistake when measuring for roman blinds?
Not checking whether your supplier will deduct from the recess width you give them, when the blind is inside mounted. Most workrooms, including ours, take 10 mm off the width as standard, so the blind runs freely and the fabric doesn’t fray from rubbing against the frame. If you also take off an allowance of your own, the gap at the sides becomes too large and light leaks in at the edges. Measure the recess width at the top, middle and bottom, give us the narrowest figure, and let us make the deduction. Measure the drop in three places and give us the longest. This doesn’t affect outside-mounted blinds.
To Sew It All Up
After this read, we hope you’re walking into The White Window’s virtual aisle with a sparkle of confidence and a head full of ideas. So go on, explore the fold styles, flirt with the fabrics, and find the style that speaks fluently to your home. Our world of 2,500+ roman blind fabrics is waiting for you — so come on in, spend a while, have the best retail therapy of your life, and leave with showstopper roman blinds for your windows! Each one is handcrafted by artisans in India and delivered with all its hardware, ready to mount. If you need help, email us at info@thewhitewindowblinds.co.uk.
WINDOW WISDOM: HOW TO FIT ROMAN BLINDS: INSTALLATION GUIDE | FABRIC ROMAN BLINDS: HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CLOTH