Roman blinds are a fabric that covers a window opening, when raised, horizontal folds up to 30 cm wide are formed. This method of decoration is used when decorating offices, restaurants, cafes, apartments, and private houses. Depending on the purpose of the room and the characteristics of its operation, Roman blinds with or without tulle are used.
Roman blinds and their features
Structurally, such curtains are a rectangular canvas. Rods are inserted into it, forming folds at equal distances relative to each other. To make the structure heavier, a metal strip is inserted into the pocket at the bottom. When raised, it looks like a lambrequin: the fabric is gathered into folds, but remains lowered from the eaves by 25-40 cm.
Similar to roller blinds, the lifting mechanism can be controlled manually or remotely. In the second case, a remote control, portable gadgets with specialized software, or a stationary button are used to adjust the position of the canvas. This control option is the best solution when access to window openings is limited. Automation will make it easier for children and elderly people to raise or lower curtains.
Rules for combining curtains and blinds
- The following combinations are suitable for the bedroom: horizontal wooden blinds and multi-layer curtains, roller blinds and light airy curtains;
- Wooden, roller and multi-textured blinds are best combined with fabric curtains;
- Aluminum and plastic blinds do not combine so well with curtains, but if you wish and have a little imagination, you can always choose good combinations for the kitchen, bathroom, corridor and other small rooms;
- If the windows face south and there is always enough light in the room, choose blinds and curtains that, individually or together, provide maximum darkness;
- If it is expected that curtains will dominate the importance of blinds for the interior, choose blinds in calm, restrained shades;
- Cover large window openings with vertical and roller blinds, and for small windows choose mini roller blinds, as well as horizontal cassette UNI, inter-frame blinds - they will look good with short or arched curtains;
Advantages and disadvantages
For designers, the arguments in favor of using Roman blinds when decorating rooms are the wide range of choice available. You can purchase a plain or colored version, decorated with embroidery, and combine it with finishing materials in the room and details from other textiles. Additional reasons for choosing this solution are the following facts:
- Versatility. It is possible to use canvas of any size and decorate non-standard window openings.
- Easy to control the position of the canvas. Adjusting the light level requires minimal effort.
- Space saving. This is how these curtains differ from classic curtains.
- Easy to care for. The fabric can be washed in an automatic machine or by hand. To do this, just remove it from the slats.
- Practicality. Curtains have a long service life and are resistant to fading, so most often the reason for replacement is the desire to update the interior design.
Among the shortcomings, users note the inability to quickly open an overview from the window. Especially if the curtains consist of several parts. The same thing happens when you need to open the sash for ventilation.
Modern methods of window decoration
Designers have created and implemented a large number of solutions for the design of window openings. In each of them, the curtain is the main element that gives the window a pleasant appearance, which hides inconvenient details from prying eyes and complements the interior composition of the room.
Let's not forget about the usefulness of curtains as reflective surfaces. Residents of the first floors cannot do without them at all - everyone needs a share of privacy.
The main option for window design is traditionally a combination of curtains and tulle. This decision is justified, since in rare cases a curtain alone can make a composition complete.
In order to create an unusual design, you need a trained eye and imagination - often inept use of curtains does not bring the desired results. That is why tulle is used as an additional frame for the window, making it possible to smooth out design flaws.
Tulle is made from a light, transparent material - organza is most often used. This type of fabric weakly protects windows from light and performs only decorative functions. However, more is not required of her.
Classic curtains with tulle included are a basic design option, it is used everywhere and you won’t surprise anyone with this solution. But the combination of curtains and tulle of a non-standard type will certainly attract the attention of your guests. We are talking about curtains that differ in their configuration and shape from standard fabric solutions.
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We mean models:
- Roman;
- Rolled.
The above two options are extremely common, but they are not the only alternatives to classic curtains on the market. There are also blinds made of unusual materials, thread curtains, Japanese panel curtains (they are made in the form of peculiar partitions that move in the horizontal plane), etc.
Almost all types of curtains can be successfully combined with transparent organza textiles. You will be surprised to learn that not only Roman blinds with tulle, but even blinds with tulle can be combined tastefully, giving the room a complete, elegant look.
Varieties of Roman blinds
In the traditional design, curtains have a rigid plastic or wooden frame, which helps form clear, even folds when lifted. Products are produced without transverse rods, which results in the formation of waves that sag in the center of the canvas.
Options with an overlap differ from analogues in that in the open position the canvas consists of voluminous folds, fixed with thick tape on the back side. Depending on the design of the bottom of the product, manufacturers offer models with piping, lace trim, tassels, bugle bead decor, and braid. This design solution makes the appearance more impressive.
Types by light transmittance
The main purpose of curtains is to protect the room from intense sunlight. The ability to block ultraviolet radiation depends on the characteristics of the fabric. Taking into account the purpose of the room, canvases with different levels of light transmission are chosen. The correct choice of fabric density makes it possible to avoid problems with backlighting on the TV screen and sunlight penetrating the house in the morning.
The bedroom periodically needs complete darkness, so black-out fabrics, jacquard, vinyl, and satin will be a good solution. Their added benefit is their ability to reflect heat, keeping you cool on summer days. Thick curtains block up to 60% of ultraviolet radiation. They provide excellent protection at night from bright street illumination. If you combine the main fabric with tulle, the light transmission of the entire structure will decrease by an additional 5-10%.
Types of curtains: which ones to choose?
How to choose the best curtains for your room, and even taking into account the fact that in the future they will be combined with tulle? Often a rash choice has a dramatic and, let’s be honest, not the most successful effect on the final window design.
If you are planning to buy classic products, then there should be no problems. Ordinary fabric curtains fit well into any interior; the main thing is to maintain the harmony of the primary and secondary colors in the room, and not to overdo it with overly saturated patterns.
Of course, the best design options for curtains are characterized by the widespread use of decorative elements - lambrequins, grips, drapery. But if you have taste and imagination, decorating a curtain is quite simple.
But where you should seriously think about it is when using Roman or roll models. Roman blinds are often called curtains of the new generation. They are combined with modernist interiors. The more modern the design of your room, the more beautiful they look.
Roman curtains are very different from ordinary ones - they have an expressively outlined fabric, the corners and edges are trimmed, the curtain covers only the window and frame, and in rare cases is limited only to the glass space. The fabric folding mechanism works on the principle of lifting the fabric in several stages, as a result the curtain folds upward, forming beautiful horizontal folds
Hanging a Roman blind alone is a good choice, but a properly selected combination of curtains and tulle will definitely be a better solution. Thanks to the transverse folds on the canvas, the Roman blind and tulle together look extremely organic and complement each other. Famous designers regularly turn to similar design options. It is worth choosing Roman models if you are creating an interesting combination of modernism and classics.
Important: Take a look at the fabric the curtain is made from. It is desirable that these are natural textile materials. No polyester, paper, bamboo or anything like that. These options are chosen only if curtains are used separately from tulles.
With roll samples the situation is repeated. They are in many ways reminiscent of their Roman counterparts, in the sense that they also take up minimal space and volume and are folded very compactly. The differences between them lie in the lifting mechanism. If Roman samples are folded in stages, then roller curtains are rolled up on a shaft fixed at the top of the window frame.
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Roller blinds are more practical and easier to clean. The lifting mechanism uses the simplest technology and almost never breaks (troubles sometimes happen with Roman ones). This design looks extremely utilitarian, which is why you need to be extremely careful when combining roller blinds and tulle - with the right approach, you can revive the curtain, give it sophistication and elegance.
Beautiful roller blinds
Roller blinds can be successfully combined with tulle only if they are made from medium-density natural fabrics. With synthetic textiles of the dim-out and black-out type, which have a corrugated structure, it is more difficult; it only gets along well with matte tulle in pastel shades. The exception is the kitchen, where free combinations of styles are often used.
If we talk about the combination that involves tulle and blinds, then it also has the right to life. Blinds are practical, they are cheaper than standard curtains. The problem is that this style is narrowly focused, it is suitable for office spaces, cubicles and other work spaces.
We recommend that you resort to such a combination only when decorating the above rooms, since it does not look entirely appropriate in a bedroom, living room or nursery. As for tulle, there are several options. The simplest is to use matte organza models that will frame the edges of the blinds, smoothing out the overall impression of its angularity.
Material for production
To choose a fabric, you need to focus on the features of the style in which the room is decorated. The material must be practical, resistant to wear and fading. Compliance with these requirements is of particular importance if the curtain is located in places with a high probability of contamination (on a loggia, terrace, kitchen).
In production, fabric of different densities is used. For bedrooms it should be the largest. Jacquard, flock, silk, velvet, linen, and cotton are used to make fabric. Products made from woven fabric are increasingly being chosen. In living rooms and bedrooms, double curtains with a tulle layer are most often used, which has the main decorative function.
In this case, choose a plain material in neutral or contrasting colors. Tulle is also in demand in the kitchen, but in most cases its length only reaches the level of the window sill. This is due to safety requirements due to the proximity of the stove, sink, and work surface.
Combination in different rooms
You can use this solution for window decoration in the kitchen, in the living room, in the bedroom, in the nursery, as well as on the loggia.
For the bedroom, Roman curtains are indispensable, as with their help you can completely close the window, darkening the room. In addition, they create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort, creating twilight even in daylight. When choosing colors, you can combine them with bed linen or bedspread.
A combination of Roman blinds and tulle with a curtain can emphasize the style of the living room. Particular attention should be paid not only to the structure of the fabric, but also to the color scheme, so that together they form a single ensemble. You can choose a Roman curtain not only to match the main curtains, but also to match the walls. A tapestry can be used here.
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In the kitchen, you can complement a tulle curtain set with a Roman curtain to match the furniture, walls or tablecloth, as well as other kitchen accessories. It is better to use natural or light synthetic material, as heavy fabric will visually reduce the kitchen space.
The advantages of Roman blinds are obvious: simplicity of form, ergonomics, the ability to be raised or lowered, and the ability to integrate into any interior. In addition, they do not require complex maintenance and can be easily removed and hung back.
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Drawings and colors
Depending on the interior design, Roman blinds can become a bright accent or a neutral element that performs a purely practical function. The first option is more often used when decorating rooms in a minimalist manner, choosing canvases with contrasting patterns, abstract patterns, and complementing the canvas with bright trim on the sides.
If tulle performs the main decorative function, and dense fabric serves to protect the room from sunlight, choose fabrics in beige, sand, and gray colors. You can choose plain materials that will serve as a background and support the overall concept of decorating the room.
Material
Some fabrics look great in interior photos. However, not every fabric is suitable for sewing Roman blinds in the kitchen. Due to increased shrinkage, fading, rapid loss of color, difficult maintenance, and flammability, the following should be avoided:
- flax;
- silks;
- velvet and pan-velvet;
- jacquard;
- atlas;
- calico.
Table 1. Materials for rising curtains in the kitchen
| Name | Characteristics |
| Tulle | Transparent material for a kitchen located on the north side. Guarantees good lighting and air access. Thick tulle holds its shape |
| Blackout | Multi-layer fabric that prevents the penetration of ultraviolet rays and wallpaper fading. Fire resistant, does not conduct heat |
| Organza | Rigid fabric made of silk and synthetic threads. Available in matte and transparent |
| Artificial linen | Fits into eco-style or loft design. Unlike natural linen, it does not wrinkle, stretch or shrink |
| Thick cotton | Eco-friendly fabric that requires basic care. It is easy to wash, which is important when decorating a kitchen. |
Length and dimensions
Depending on the dimensions of the window structure, the width of the Roman blind is 30-300 cm. When installing the cornice on the profile, the size of the fabric must exactly match the opening to prevent the formation of gaps. If the structure is mounted on a wall, the canvas is chosen 5-7 cm wider. The length is most often determined by the height of the window sill, but an individual order of the product up to the floor level is possible.
How to install Roman blinds in the kitchen
Before purchasing Roman blinds, it is important to measure them correctly, and to do this you need to decide on the option for attaching them. This is possible in two ways: using a mini cornice and a standard cornice.
When using a mini-curtain rod, the canvas is located close to the window. In this case, space is saved, and the window sill can be used as a work surface. This option is also suitable if you plan to use other curtains in the interior.
The standard size of the cornice is installed at the wall level, due to which the space looks holistic. This fastening is convenient when it is often torn off for ventilation.
Advice! The cornice may not be used at all. To save money, use double-sided adhesive tape. One part of it is molded above the window, and the second on the curtain itself. However, it is not very convenient to use.
Curtains in the interior of rooms
Designers have created models from safe, practical materials. They are often combined with tulle; the color and texture should be combined with the details used in the interior. In the kitchen, mini-structures made of stain-resistant, safe material are installed for each of the window sashes.
They will be the best option when there is a storage system under the window, low furniture (floor-length curtains will get in the way), a workshop desk or a sink. They are installed on glass doors with a large glazing area. This allows you to avoid overloading the interior with textiles.
Roman blinds in different styles
Whatever style you decorate the interior of the room in, you can safely choose Roman blinds, as they will harmoniously fit into any design if you choose the right color and texture of the material.
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Provence style for a kitchen or country house involves curtains made of natural fabrics with embroidery or printed patterns. When adding a Roman curtain here, you need to choose for it a fabric of the same density as for a set of curtains, and a color like tulle.
High-tech requires us to adhere to minimalism and strictly comply with the color scheme, so in this case, a Roman curtain will look good made from the same fabric as the main curtains.
A classic curtain, at first glance, so familiar and understandable, to combine it with a Roman blind will require more imagination and knowledge from you, since just hanging a strip of the same fabric will ruin the interior. Here it is better to use a lighter material or tulle color with embroidery to match the main curtains.
The English style makes it easy to play up the color scheme with stripes. For example, alternate tulle-colored stripes with curtain-colored stripes.
For each style, you can choose the right combination of Roman blinds with a set of curtains. It is not for nothing that, considered the most ancient, this curtain is still used by designers to this day. Although a fashionable finishing element, it is still practical and functional in a modern home.
Criterias of choice
When determining the design option, take into account the size of the window openings and installation method. The design may consist of one or several layers with different levels of light transmission. For fastening, a profile made of wood, plastic or aluminum alloy is used. The choice depends on the weight of the canvas. The practicality of the selected fabrics is important: resistance to fading (especially if they are planned to be placed on a window on the sunny side), the ability to retain their shape after washing.
It is advisable to use a wrinkle-resistant material with high wear resistance. One of the most easy-to-care solutions will be fabrics made from a mixture of synthetics and natural ingredients. Manufacturers offer models with different characteristics. Among them, all that remains is to choose the decorative design of the curtains.
We recommend looking at the article about how to curtain windows with tulle
Selection rules
It is necessary to choose the right decoration for the window. This applies not only to color, material, design, but also to other issues. To make the room visually wide and spacious, it is advisable to choose products in light colors. Such a room will look elegant. To add variety to the design, you can add contrast. In this case, a combination of black and white can be used.
Often curtains and tulle are matched to the color of the wallpaper. Moreover, it is better to choose a product that is a brighter tone. Curtains and tulle can be more striking if the interior has such tones. These can be blankets, pillows, rugs. Curtains that are selected according to pattern or texture look stylish.
Combination with tulle and curtains
Roman blinds can be hung independently, but if you want to add softness to the interior, it is better to combine them with other types of curtains.
Roman blinds will have a functional meaning, protect from the sun and the views of neighbors. A huge plus and difference between Roman blinds and roller blinds is that they can be sewn from companion fabrics along with curtains and tulles . For example, for a Roman blind you can choose a bright print, and for curtains, plain fabrics, fabrics with small or geometric patterns. Roman blinds can also be combined with light curtains or tulle. If you cannot place other curtains or tulle next to Roman blinds due to lack of space, but you want to decorate the window, you can make a decorative lambrequin . The lambrequin can be soft, hard on a bandeau, or figured.
When we develop a curtain design , we take into account all the points: convenience and functionality, the style of the room, the color schemes of the room, how the curtains will work, what their main purpose is. The designer selects fabrics taking into account the color of the walls, furniture, and patterns. We develop sketches to scale so that you can immediately see what future curtains will look like. Our salon has a huge selection of fabrics from a wide variety of collections, so we can always select companion fabrics that match the design to create a complete composition.
Before ordering curtains, invite the designer to take measurements. The designer will take the correct measurements, taking into account all the wishes and features of the window. We will select the appropriate type of fastening and the correct size of the product.
You can read about choosing fabric for Roman blinds here - “Choosing fabric for Roman blinds.” You can view Roman blinds for different types of rooms (living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, children’s...) here “Roman blinds by type of room.”
The sizes of Roman blinds can be found here - “Roman blind sizes” . You can find out about prices for Roman blinds here - “Prices for Roman blinds” . But it’s always better to call a designer for free measurements, then we can accurately select the fabric for you and calculate the cost of the order for you.
Our salon employs textile designers and interior designers . We don’t just install curtains on windows, we decorate windows and make them a very important element of the interior. Here you can see about Roman blinds with drawings and photo printing (we can make Roman blinds with any images) - “Roman blinds with drawings and photo printing.”
You may also be interested in roller blinds, since their functionality is very close to Roman ones. You can read more about roller blinds here - “Roller blinds” . Other types of curtains, including other lifting types similar to Roman ones (Austrian, London, Vietnamese...) - here “Types of curtains” .
We have been making Roman blinds for many years. Our designers will create a model, select fabrics and accessories. We guarantee high-quality tailoring and installation of all products. Travel for measurements in the Decorator salon within Ufa is free. We will come with fabric samples and choose the best solution for you!
