How to Pick Roman Shades for a Living Room

Roman shades come in an array of styles, colors and fabrics, and they can be fitted to many kinds of windows, even patio doors and bay windows. Rich, luxurious fabrics such as silk and linen provide a tailored, elegant look in a formal living room, while cotton, polyester and canvas are well suited to crisp, casual decor. You can mount a Roman shade either inside or outside a window's frame.

Taking Measurements for Roman Shades

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  Accurate measurements are crucial in fitting a Roman shade to a window. measuring ruler image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com

  For an inside-mount Roman shade, measure the width and length of the window inside its frame since the shade will be hanging close to the glass from inside the top of the frame. For an outside-mount shade, measure the width of the window including the left and right sides of the frame. Then measure the window's length from the top of the frame to the sill and add two inches. If there is no sill, add one inch to the length to ensure the window will be covered when the shade is lowered.

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  Roman shades work with all kinds of windows and even patio doors. patio doors image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com

  Choose shades with liners, if privacy is a concern. Opt for blackout liners if you require maximum privacy or would like to block out light completely when the shade is lowered.

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  Decorative beads and pulls can add a touch of glamour to roman shades. pull cord bead image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com

  Choose a cord or beaded-chain system if you want to raise or lower the Roman shade manually. Motorized closing systems are also available for Roman shades.

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  Add a bit of pizzaz with decorative hems. decorative bands image by Dzhamilia Ermakova from Fotolia.com

  Purchase shades with decorative hems for a charming country look. Choose a shade with a valance for a more formal living room.

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  Patterned Roman shades can liven up a living room with solid-colored furniture. fabrics with print image by GeoM from Fotolia.com

  Pick fabric that is best suited to your lifestyle and fits the décor in your living room and the rest of the house.