Choosing what kind of window coverings to use in your home is hard enough, but once you’ve settled on Roman shades, you’re still not finished. From there, you need to figure out what type of folds you want. There are lots of different types, and the one that’s best for you will depend not only on the look you want to create, but which room they’ll be in, and your choices of fabrics and patterns. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll explain how each one works along with their pros and cons, so you can choose the type of fold that’s best for you.
Types of Folds for Roman Shades
There are several different types of fold you can use, each with their own aesthetic and function. Before you can know which one you should use, you need to have an idea of the depth of your windows, how you want light coming through them to be filtered. All of that is explained below read on for a run down of the varieties of fold you can use for shades for your home in Toronto.
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Flat Fold Roman Shades
Flat fold Roman shades are seamless and consist of just one piece of fabric, giving a tidy, minimalistic look. When they’re lowered, they lay completely flat. When they’re raised, they form neatly-stacked folds. When they’re fully extended, the seams or pleats will still be visible. With this type of fold, the fabric lays flat in one piece. This style works great with patterned fabrics, which would otherwise look messy with multiple folds. With this style, they’re not interrupted at all. If you have shallow windows which don’t have much room, flat fold shades are ideal. If you do choose this type, it’s important to note that they may require adjustments in order to get the folds to raise straight and evenly. Because of this, it’s better for shades that won’t be opened and closed constantly throughout the day. If you want your shades to take up as little space as possible, this is a good choice for you.
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Plain Fold Roman Shades
This is a flat-style fold, but has seams every few inches of the length of the fabric, which add depth when there’s no pattern. These seams make it easy for the shades to fold up and down, so this style is good for shades that will be used regularly. They’re quite durable and aren’t likely to break or get tangled. When they’re lowered, they’ll look tidy and sleek, with only seams showing. This style is ideal for plain fabrics, as the seams may obscure some patterned ones. Shades with plain folds have a very slim profile, so are great for shallow windows and French doors. They create a clean, classic look that is very popular.
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Hobbled Roman Shades
Hobbled Roman shades are sometimes also referred to as ‘tear drop’ or ‘soft fold’ shades. When they’re raised, they look no different to flat shades. However, they have evenly-spaced horizontal pleats, which create loops of fabric that fall in cascading folds when the shades are lowered. These create a more interesting look than flat shades, and the extra fabric blocks out a little more light. If you want something that has a look similar to that of custom drapery, but prefer the functional quality of blinds, this is the right style for you. Just bear in mind that it’s not really suitable for shallow windows due to the volume of fabric used.
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European Fold Roman Shades
When European fold Roman shades are raised, the outer edges go up first, creating a curved shape at the bottom of the fabric. This style is less symmetrical than others, but very elegant-looking. For this reason, they’re best chosen for form over function. It works well with luxurious fabrics and looks at home in dining rooms and living rooms. While the bottom of the shade is folded, the fabric hanging down from the top is laying flat. This means that if you use a light or sheer fabric, you can still let a good amount of light into the room.
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As well as deciding which style of fold you want to use for your Roman shades, you also need to choose the fabric, colour, pattern (or lack thereof) and accessories to create the entire look. Sarit Arnesty can guide you through those choices, presenting you with all the options available, explaining them and making recommendations specific to your needs. If this is what you’re looking for, call 647-898-4073 or email info@saritarnesty.com to arrange for a consultation.