Like many other blinds and shades, roman shades are often made of cloth or wood and are drawn up by pulling on a string. However, roman shades differ from other shades and blinds in their construction. They are designed to rise in loose but pronounced folds. These inexpensive shades come in a variety of styles.
Standard Cloth Shades
Roman shades made of cloth are among the most versatile shades you can find on the market. They come in a variety of colors and can be made from different materials, such as cotton, canvas, muslin and linen. This type of shade is not often room darkening, so your dining room will retain its natural quality of light, especially if the shades you choose are a light color. If your curtains are patterned, this type of shade will coordinate best with your curtains. The shades will work well in a dining room because they will work anywhere, being basic and versatile.
Relaxed
Relaxed roman shades are similar to standard cloth shades. They come in a variety of materials and may be solid or print. What distinguishes the relaxed shades from the standard shades is the way relaxed shades drape across the window. Standard roman shades fit straight across the window because of a lightweight wooden bar sewn into the bottom of the shade. Relaxed shades have no such bar. This means the relaxed shades are gathered at the sides and form a graceful dip across the pane of the window. Because of this dip, relaxed shades have an elegant but casual quality well suited to a dining room.
Matchstick
Matchstick shades are made from straight, slender pieces of wood, such as bamboo, strung together with shade strings. These shades will look best in a dining room that has been decorated in an earthy color scheme, including browns, creams and greens. Matchstick shades are visually a little busy, so use these shades only behind curtain panels that are a solid color and avoid using them in a room with a lot of clutter. Matchstick shades often look best in a room that has been decorated with a peaceful zen theme. Accessorize room with a rock garden centerpiece or a candle on a stone holder.
Double Shades
Double shades are practical in a room sucbh as a dining room. They have two layers -- a solid, light-blocking cloth on top and a sheer underneath. This allows you to let in as much or as little light as you wish, a useful feature when entertaining. Because of their layering and because the shade will be behind a curtain, double shades create a complex image, so it is better not to pick a print -- solid colors will work best in your dining room.
Matching Colors
It is important to match the top panel curtains with the cloth roman shades. Try to keep the value contrast between the shades and the curtains high. For example, if your curtains are red, your shades should be white, yellow or maybe light beige. Try to choose colors found elsewhere in your . If you're having a hard time matching the colors of the curtain and shades, look at a color wheel for ideas or pick color combinations found together in nature.
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