A Guide to Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats

Embodying the ethos of minimalism, flat fold roman shades with back slats are a seamless blend of functionality and understated elegance. With a sleek look that beautifully echoes the clean lines of modern interiors, and a slat-supported construction that enhances their functional efficiency, back-slatted roman shades are a heaven-made match for functionality-oriented contemporary spaces. And if you too have fallen for this crisp performer with its sharp-as-a-diamond looks, this guide is for you. Come along as our experts delve into all the details regarding the back-slatted flat fold roman shades so you can discern their compatibility with your choice of fabric, decor style, and functional requirements. 

What are Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats

Most roman shades are constructed with and supported by horizontal slats at the back to render a neat structure of crisp and even folds. These slats are sewn at equal intervals, thereby ensuring that the resulting accordion-style folds of the shade are also of uniform size. 

But while the classic front-slatted roman shades proudly show the raised silhouettes of the slats on the front, the back-slatted style ‘hides’ these slats for a clean, uninterrupted frontage. This is achieved by sewing the slats into lining ‘pockets’ stitched on the rear side of the roman shades, leaving the front completely free of hems or slat silhouettes. 

The back-slatted construction ensures that when the shade is lowered, the fabric unfolds like a smooth, seamless canvas - minus any visible slats/hems - and when raised, the folds stack evenly and efficiently along the slat lines, thereby delivering both style and functionality.

Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats: Perks to Pick

Flat fold roman shades with back slats are a versatile pick that can serve many mandates. However, they emerge not merely as an option but as the premier choice for certain specific settings and design mandates, such as:

PATTERNED FABRICS: Back-slatted flat fold roman shades, with their clean, uninterrupted frontage, are the perfect stage for patterns of all kinds — be it the intricate damasks or simple stripes. The absence of hemlines, slat silhouettes or any other visual breaks ensures that your patterned fabric becomes the stunning artistic focal point of your windows. We like to think of back-slatted shades as theater sets where panache-packed paisleys deliver their lines with dramatic flair, and dainty floral vines say their parts with quiet confidence.  

HomeSewn Wisdom: Whenever buying multiple roman shades in a patterned fabric, ensure that the pattern flow will be made identical, and that motifs will ‘flow’ symmetrically from one shade to the next. At Sewn, our tailors take extra care to achieve this - so every patterned roman shade of the same size in any given order is kept identical. If the shades are ordered at different lengths (drops), we match the pattern cuts at the top starting points so that the symmetry is still ensured as much as possible. 

STRIPES & CHECKS: Printed fabrics like checks and stripes - that feature straight-lined patterns - may come with subtle imperfections like a minor tilt or wave in stripes. On front-slatted shades, any such imperfection in horizontal stripes can become noticeable as the horizontal lines of the pattern sit against the surgical straight silhouettes of the slats. In the back-slatted style, however, such minor asymmetries will often go unnoticed. Therefore, our stylists recommend the back slatted fold style as the top choice for checkered and horizontal striped roman shades.

MINIMALIST HOMES: With a reputation for being the most minimalistic fold style on offer, back-slatted roman shades on plain, monochromatic fabrics are an unrivaled match for a minimalist home. Furthermore, being fabric window treatments, back-slatted roman shades also lend a touch of warmth that counterbalances the austere ruggedness typical of industrial or minimalist interiors. So, if your goal is to stay true to the philosophy of minimalist decor, back-slatted plain/ textured roman shades would be your perfect partners.

HAUL EM' HOME: Checkered Roman Shades | Striped Roman Shades | Damask & Paisley Roman Shades

Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats: Points to Ponder

While it is a rare occasion for our stylists to advise against this ever-popular style, there are two instances when back-slatted shades may need a deeper consideration:

SHEER/UNLINED SHADES: Since the slats in this style are sewn into lining pockets at the back of the shades, it is not possible to construct this style without lining. Therefore, any unlined roman shades simply cannot join the back-slatted club. Furthermore, since lining a sheer fabric somewhat defeats the purpose and beauty of the fabric’s transparency, most clients prefer to not add lining behind their sheer/semi-sheer shades and instead opt for other fold styles. That said, hardcore fans of back-slatted style may decide to add lining, while sacrificing some of the light filtering and translucent quality of a sheer fabric. 

PLAIN FABRICS: While for a passionately minimalist home, there’s nothing quite as fitting as a back-slatted roman shade on a plain fabric, the same may not hold true for other set-ups where the same shade may come across as a bit too vanilla. So, our stylists recommend either opting for front-slatted or relaxed fold styles when the fabric is plain, or adding trims to your back-slatted shades to bring an element of visual interest. 

How to Measure for Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats

With the goal of specifying roman shades that fit your windows like a glove, first decide on the mounting position of your roman shades. Would you like to mount them outside the window frame, or have them sit primly inside the recess? To find your answer and a detailed discussion on the pros and cons of the two mounting positions, please refer to our blog on Inside Vs Outside Mounted Roman Shades.

Once you’ve decided on the mounting position, browse our Roman Shades Measurement Guide for handy illustrations and simple step-by-step instructions on measuring for your flat fold roman shades with back slats. Then grab that measuring tape and seize the digits. Before you know it, you’ll be all set to place your order!

How to Install  Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats

Once your package of fabulousness has arrived at your doorstep, the final step awaits: mounting those stunning shades! Our roman shades come ready to install right out of the box, complete with all the necessary hardware. With a bit of DIY enthusiasm, it’ll be an exciting Sunday morning project you can tackle on your own or with an extra pair of hands for some shared fun. Of course, if you prefer, you can always hire a professional or enlist a decor-loving DIY pro friend. 

For images of our hardware, and step-by-step instructions to hang your flat fold, back-slatted roman shades like a pro, please refer to our Roman Shades Installation Guide. 

And with that, get comfier on your couch; the shopping spree is about to begin!

Seal the Deal: Shop Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats from Sewn

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you find the answers to all your questions about the flat fold, back-slatted roman shades. And armed with all that knowledge - from where this style makes the best fit to when you need to reconsider your decision - you’re all set to dive into the joy of browsing through Sewn’s 2000+ strong fabric collection. 

Whether you’re seeking a piece of quiet resplendance or an element of unabashed opulence, be assured that our collection of custom roman shades is equipped to cover every whim and window. Just spend a few minutes with us and the ‘one’ for your windows will be at your doorstep in no time. So, enjoy retail therapy at its finest, and well, shop away!