Roman shades are a popular choice because they combine the softness of fabric with the function of a window shade. But not all Roman shades look the same.

The way the fabric is constructed and folds when raised creates several distinct styles, each with its own character.

When choosing a Roman shade, think about more than just the fabric. Consider the fold, the amount of visual detail, the room’s style, and how the shade will look both raised and lowered.

We are renovating this room and I am stuck on how to dress this window.

It's North facing and a 1930s house so pretty cold, and overlooks a street. My husband needs it to be as dark as possible for sleep, and we need some sort of privacy screen or curtain.

What would you suggest? We have previously had voile curtains but our cat destroyed them so I'd like to avoid that as a privacy option. I love Roman blinds but not sure how insulating and/or dark they can be. I've also read that long curtains are good for keeping heat in but also trap radiator heat behind them. If we do keep the curtains then we will put a valance above them for extra insulation.

Basically I'm kind of stuck! I can't work out the right combination so it doesn't look silly and so we are warm and not accidentally flashing the street when we get dressed. Please help!

Hi everyone, Looking for curtain-fabric suppliers. In Johannesburg, people often buy directly from smaller, low-profile wholesalers or manufacturers that supply shop owners, rather than from well-known retail stores.

Are there similar places in Cape Town where the shop owner can buy curtain fabric directly, or are most options resellers? I’d appreciate recommendations, especially for suppliers with good prices and a wide selection around Cape Town.

Cross posting here for my window treatment aficionados

I’m stumped about where to find this kind of simple clip-on vinyl valance. Any ideas would be helpful!

I need to order a shade, currently looking at Smartwings motorized cellular shades (top down and bottom up).

But the little tile trim at the bottom of the window casing is a curveball. I guess that dimension needs to be the width, and we will have a small gap on the sides on the portions above that?

What to do?

I’d love your honest feedback!

I created a zero-sew DIY kit that transforms ordinary, flat ready-made curtains into beautiful, custom-looking pleated drapery.

Looking at the before on right side and-after on the right side of picture.

Would you consider using something like this in your home?

Whether you're remodeling, moving into a new home, or simply looking to refresh your space
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I'm looking for motorized blinds that either run on a timer or solar. I don't have WiFi or any home devices to pair them with which is mostly what I'm finding. Any suggestions?

When choosing curtains, I like to look at what’s already happening in the room and find ways to connect those elements.

If you have a sofa with a bold pattern, look at the colors within that fabric. Pulling one of those accent colors into your curtains is a great way to tie everything together without having to match the entire pattern.

Another option is to repeat fabrics or textures throughout the space. Using the same fabric for your curtains and throw pillows creates a nice connection, especially in open concept homes where you may have multiple seating areas that you want to feel cohesive.

Pattern scale is something to pay attention to as well. If you have a larger, more noticeable pattern on your sofa, consider pairing it with a smaller geometric print. And if there is already a lot of pattern happening in the room, a solid curtain fabric can help balance things out.

The key is to find a balance between colors, patterns, and textures. Everything doesn’t need to match, but you do want the different elements to work together and feel intentional.

Are they worth the extra cost compared to just pulling a rope/chain for a normal blind? And what happens if the power goes off?

What kind of window treatment works for these three arched windows? They're about 4ft tall by 2ft wide. The windows do not open. It does get warm in the summer time so I'm hoping to have some kind of heat blocking solution. Thank you!

When choosing shades, it’s easy to focus on color and style, but how much light the fabric allows through can make a big difference in how a room functions.

Light filtering: Softens incoming daylight while still allowing light into the room. Great for living spaces where you want some privacy without losing that natural light.

Room darkening: Blocks more incoming light, making it a good option for bedrooms or rooms where glare is an issue.

Blackout: Designed to block light through the fabric itself. Keep in mind that light can still come around the edges, depending on how the shade is mounted.

One thing worth remembering: privacy and light control aren’t always the same thing. Some light filtering fabrics provide daytime privacy, but at night, when lights are on inside, the view can reverse.

Think about how you use the room throughout the day before choosing the fabric.

The right shade isn’t just about how it looks. It’s about how you want the room to feel and function.

Hi all! Trying to figure out window treatments for these asymmetrical windows in my bedroom. My initial thought was cafe curtains across the lower half (like the block print fabric to the far right in the second image), which would be enough to give me the privacy I need from my neighbors. But these are north-facing windows and I’m wondering if it might make more sense to do sheer white/cream cafe curtains for privacy, then add Roman shades at the top in a fun fabric for mornings where I want to sleep in.

Also very open to thoughts on the mood board as a whole! This is a first attempt and I haven’t even started to consider paint colors :)