Roman shades smack of chic minimalism while offering any homeowner countless options of fabrics, colors, and patterns to suit any style and decor. It is, however, important to give due attention to details when shopping for window treatments – regardless of whether these are new custom curtains or bespoke roman shades – as it’s easy to make mistakes in a rush to shop.
In this article, we focus specifically on some of the top mistakes that you need to avoid while you are shopping for roman shades for your home.
Top mistakes to avoid when choosing roman shades
- Not selecting the right position for mounting
You can mount the roman shades in two different ways – the shade that remains inside the window recess and gets attached to the ‘ceiling’ of the window frame, or the shade that is attached to the wall on top of the window and covers the whole window frame.
There are different benefits to both inside mount and outside mount roman shades. For example, you can mount roman blinds inside if the depth of the window frame is around 2 to 4 inches. So, check the window size and the item’s specifics before you go on to buy it.
Inside mount roman shades are perfect for the windows where you need to show the ornate trims of the windows or for layering the window treatments. They also look highly bespoke as they get crafted to fit into the window recess.
Outside mounts offer greater flexibility in sizing and placement. You can extend the roman shades by a few inches to block out more light. Moreover, you will not have to limit yourself as far as the depth is concerned. But, the roman shades will not appear to be minimalistic. It is because the shades remain outside of the frame. They are further not suitable if you need to layer with the curtains at the front.
- Not maintaining an accurate size
If you want roman shades, you need to be precise when it comes to the measurements. Inside mount shades will not fit within the window recess in case you mistakenly record a higher width than your window recess. On the contrary, if the measurement is short, the gaps on the side will widen, which will allow too much light to leak through the side gaps.
The outside mount shades are more accommodating towards measurements. The shade can be extended around 6 inches beyond your window frame to control the leakage of light from the gaps. You can mount the shades a bit higher than the window trim if you like your shades to clear your whole window when it is opened for maximum inflow of light.
- Not syncing with the decor
There are several choices that buyers can select from between the style of roman shade, color, and patterns of the fabrics. For this reason, it is significant that the fabric and style you select fits the stylistic layout and the look of the room. For instance, you can choose a silk roman shade for your living room, while linens – featuring a more casual vibe – may be better suited for an informal lounge or kitchen. Similarly, roman shades with back slats are considered more modern and minimalist than relaxed roman shades that may be more suited for a traditional, formal room. So let your existing decor style guide your search for the right roman shades that perfectly sync into the current scheme.
- Not lining the shades
The lining is important for shades as well as for curtains. The lining helps to guard the shades against harsh sunlight. Also, it protects them from the worn-out, old look that no homeowner would want. The lining’s weight also allows the shade to preserve the structure. Blackout liners also come with a lot of benefits and there are plenty of reasons to buy blackout roman shades, including, they reduce noises while darkening the room & provide privacy. Additionally, they offer insulation against intense cold and heat. So, if you are not going for sheers, do not forget the lining.
- Overlooking child safety
One of the reasons many homeowners choose roman shades over curtains is because they have a toddler, and the shades are unreachable for them. But it is important to go a step further and make sure that the shades themselves are safe and child-proof. If the shade is not properly fixed to the wall, a little tugging can pull down your shades and cause a safety hazard for your child.
Also, you have to ensure that the pull cord does not dangle to prevent your child from becoming prone to any strangling risk. You have to secure the pulling cord so that it is not within reach of your child.
Conclusion
If you avoid the above mistakes, you will be able to choose the perfect roman shades for your house. Moreover, you will ensure that it goes well with your decor.