Basement Roman Shades & Window Blinds: Tips & Ideas to Brighten & Beautify

When it comes to natural lighting and picturesque window views, basements are not winning any awards. Nothing is flattering about those small windows, uncomfortably close to the ceiling, but what is even worse is the generic plastic blinds that often come with them! If anything, these windows need a touch of flair that adds life to this space and softens its light-deprived, austere corners—and that’s exactly what basement roman shades are here for. They’re the perfect in-between for those who want something more graceful than utilitarian blinds and less bulky than full-length drapes.

Whether your basement is serving as a home office, media den, or guest bedroom, custom roman shades can dial up the charm while fulfilling their functional roles. And more so, at Sewn, where your fabric choices run over 2,000, making it easy to express your aesthetic, so your basement can ‘rise above’ its ‘underground’ status and truly be a part of your home. But before you go digging into this treasure trove, here’s what to keep in mind when picking roman shades for your basement windows:

Tailor the Light: Pick a Fabric of the Right Opacity

Small basement windows call for well-considered window dressings that maximize natural light. And this is exactly where taking the custom-made route comes in to be of the greatest help in tuning the shade’s opacity to your light control requirements.

For a basement that has been transformed into a rumpus room, crafting corner, or a stylish home gym, daylight and ventilation are not just assets, but indispensable necessities. Here, sheer roman shades crack the deal by diffusing the light and ensuring privacy—all while adding personality and keeping it airy.

Sleepy corners and movie marathons call for a cozier script, and this is where the basement’s natural moodiness turns from flaw to feature. Just add non-sheer or blackout roman shades, or blackout lining behind your shades to the equation, and you’ll nail the brief.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Sheer Roman Shades | Blackout Roman Shades | Velvet Roman Shades

Think Out of the Box, Literally! Consider Outside Mounting

Roman shades can either be fixed snug within the window frame or fitted outside the window. A comparison of both mounting positions, detailed beautifully in our blog on Inside Mount Vs Outside Mount Roman Shades, shows that both positions have their perks. But, as far as basement windows are concerned—they often shine brighter, both figuratively and literally, when you choose outside mounting. And here’s why:

Inside-mounted shades compromise the window’s capacity to bring in light as they stack within the frame. Outside mounting, in contrast, opens possibilities that downplay the basement window’s stingy size and limited access to light. Just mount the shade a few inches higher than the window frame on the wall above, and let it rest above the window when folded up, rather than blocking the window’s upper portion and hampering light inflow. And if you have blackout goals, you can also extend the roman shades a few inches on all sides to cut down the light leaks on the edges. That this extended coverage creates the optical illusion of a larger window is the bonus point that a teeny basement window should ideally not miss.

TIP IN A PIC!

Be Mindful of the Recess Space Available

Hardware for Sewn’s roman shades needs a minimum of two inches of flat, drillable surface to be mounted securely. If your window frame/recess is too shallow and does not offer this, inside-mounting a shade will not be viable. In these settings, outside-mounted shades become your default saviors.

Maximize the Light: Opt for Light and Bright Hues

Even the most expansive basements tend to look gloomy because of low ceilings, petite windows, and the sheer scarcity of natural light. If you’re aiming for a moody vibe, the groundwork is already done, and dark-hued roman shades can be the finishing touch. 

But, if you want to lighten and brighten your basement, the palette has to go beyond being a mere expression of taste; it has to don the hat of a visual trickster to conjure space and light. So, use your roman shades’ palette as a tool to make your basement feel brighter and roomier. Stick to unsaturated, light tones that not only filter in light more generously but also bounce it around, making the room ‘feel’ brighter. 

In basement bedrooms where you might want to keep the space visually light but still be able to conjure darkness when needed, count on the power of our blackout lining. Let it block light from behind the scenes while the colors of your shades keep the room looking fresh, bright, and spacious.

TIP IN A PIC!

Make Magic with Matching Shades

For a small basement, we’d suggest notching up this illusory game even further: match your shades to the wall colors as closely as possible. This will blend your roman shades into the space by blurring their silhouettes and creating a sense of visual continuity that expands the space optically. Great for a tiny space, even better for oddly positioned windows!

Score High with Pattern Play: Style In, Drama Out

Patterns are sometimes blamed for visually shrinking spaces—but if you love patterns, absolutely go for a patterned roman shade. Because a pattern can do the opposite if you just know how to make the selection. The right pattern elongates the basement and breathes life into this tucked-away corner of the home. The trick is simple: choose a pattern that works for your basement, not against it. And, here are some cues to discern:

• Orientation: Patterns draw attention, and those with a directional orientation guide your eye in a direction. Like stripes, climbing vines, herringbone, and chevrons, to name a few. These patterns subliminally guide your eye vertically or horizontally, making your mind gauge the height/breadth of the room. That, in turn, makes the window appear longer and your room seem bigger.

• Scale: The pattern must speak to the scale of the window and the room. If you pick an oversized motif, it will get cut abruptly at the edges of the shades, emphasizing the smallness of the window. Rather, go for small and medium-sized prints that don’t overwhelm the basement window or the space.

• Contrast: The basement is one of those spaces of the home where subtlety works harder than bold statements. This is not the space where a high-contrast, bold statement blind will prove beneficial. Harsh tonal contrasts tend to draw attention to the smallness and awkward placement of the window, besides making this tight space feel more busy. Instead, look for low-contrast patterns that add a touch of charm without overwhelming the eye or making the space visually heavy.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Striped Roman Shades | Floral Roman Shades | Geometric Print Roman Shades

Sculpt the Profile: Fold with Flair, Unfold with Ease

Accordion-style folds are the highlight feature of roman shades. And, tied into this detail, are two key aspects: their aesthetic and ease of operation. So, if you’re keen on using your basement roman shades to stitch its theme together and enhance the functionality of the space, the fold style needs to be chosen with care.

Sewn offers three versatile fold styles, elaborately described in our Roman Shades Fold Style Guide. They each offer a unique combination of visual appeal and operation. And although all three styles work well for basements, the way each complements the overall scheme is different.

Both the flat fold back-slatted roman shades and plain fold front-slatted roman shades have straight hemmed bottoms and even folds. These have a modern edge, but can complement almost any decor style. Fuss-free operation is their plus point, so if you expect to adjust the shades often, pick one of the flat fold styles.

The European relaxed roman shades, on the other hand, have a swag-like bottom that softens the space and adds a sense of relaxation. If you’re aiming for a slightly undone coastal aesthetic, Victorian-style scalloped detailing, or a cheerful touch to go with a play area’s mood, there’s no better candidate. However, keep in mind that this style requires a helping hand at setting the folds right, so it suits best for shades left halfway open, minimizing the need for operation.

Shop Basement Roman Shades from Sewn

Basements are starved for natural light, but what they crave even more is some pizzazz. That’s where carefully designed basement roman shades that maximize light and style prove their worth—elevating the space while making the most of every sunbeam. Whether you’re looking for light-filtering sheers to help keep your crafting table bright, printed roman shades for a spark of joy, or blackout shades for a mood-lit movie night, Sewn's collection is up to the task. So go on, explore our virtual aisles, and pick the roman shades that will give your basement the glow-up it truly deserves.