Bedroom Window Roman Shades & Blinds: Tips & Ideas to Balance Style, Privacy & Light

Whether it’s the master suite that deserves a little indulgence or the guest bedroom that must impress at first glance, window treatments have a lot to live up to in a bedroom. They need to block out light, muffle outside sound and set the mood, and bedroom roman shades (or roman blinds, as they’re often called) do all three beautifully. Add blackout lining and they darken the room for a better night’s sleep; pick the right fold style and mount, and they’re easy to raise every morning; and with more than 2,500 fabrics at Sewn, from soft neutrals and moody hues to fashion-forward patterns, they can set exactly the mood you’re after. Read on for our stylists’ best tricks in the book for choosing and styling roman shades in the bedroom, whether you’re dressing a master bedroom or a guest room.

Beyond the Chic Folds: Why Bedrooms Love a Roman Touch 

Roman shades have carved out a well-deserved spot in the wide world of window treatments with their unique way of making a space feel stylish without cluttering the scene. In recent times, they have emerged as the go-to choice in bedrooms, and their staying power is rooted in three hidden strengths:

• SLEEK SPACE-SAVING PROFILE: Roman shades ring in style without claiming any additional space than the window itself. Their neat silhouette appeals to those who favor simplicity, and saves space in small bedrooms where every inch counts.

• SIMPLE, BUT NOT PLAIN: Off-the-shelf blinds, typically made from metal, plastic, or vinyl, feature neutral tones and leave the window bare when raised. Roman shades, in contrast, are brimming with the design potential of drapery fabrics. Their elegant concertina folds transform the plainest fabric into a work of textured artistry and gather the shade into a neat stack that doubles up as a sculptural valance, leaving your bedroom window always dressed up. 

• CUSTOMIZATION TO THE LAST DETAIL: Roman shades can be personalized at all levels - from the size, colors, and patterns to the fold style and add-ons - which opens up possibilities for every bedroom window and decor style.

A brilliant middle ground between elaborate drapery and plain off-the-shelf blinds, roman shades draw decor enthusiasts who value craftsmanship and creative expression. And in the master bedroom, where every element should feel personal, and the guest bedroom, which is dressed to impress, roman shades feel right at home, offering a thoughtful mix of structure, softness, and curated beauty.

Style Meets Function: Styling Tips for Bedroom Roman Shades 

Bedroom roman shades have to meet the twin goals of creating a sleep-friendly environment and putting together a deeply personalized bedscape. But, this might need a little more than mere design instinct, so our designers have these fantastic tips for you to make every design decision with intention:

Meet the Blackout Agenda with the Right Fabric & Lining

Light control and insulation have to be of the highest quality in sleeping spaces. And more so, if you’re a night hustler keeping odd sleep hours or a light sleeper disturbed by the faintest glow. This is where blackout roman shades slay the game. They are gifted with the special skills that matter most in these rest zones - substantially block light, muffle sharp sounds, and maintain the room’s temperature. 

So, no matter which fabric strikes a chord with you - a ritzy silk or a summery cotton - make it bedroom-ready by adding blackout lining to your roman shade. Creating a moody, dark, and quiet ambiance, and cutting down energy consumption for heating/cooling are a few of several benefits of blackout lining, as detailed in our blog about Sewn’s Lining Options. But remember, blackout lining can cast its magic spell only when the face fabric takes the lead. So, opt for thick materials like heavy cotton, tight-knit linen, velvet, or blackout fabrics, not loosely woven linens or see-through sheers. And if you want to skip lining, consider a blackout face fabric to start.

When the fabric and lining are both focused on insulation and light-blocking, nothing can stop your bedroom from being the cozy cocoon you envision it to be. And yet, there’s more to perfecting this blackout craft, which we will share ahead.

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

Add Character with Color, Pattern & Decorative Trims

The prime advantage of taking the custom route is that you can pick a fabric that works with your style. So, take advantage of Sewn’s curated collection to showcase your personal style in your master bedroom. And when unsure about committing to a bold color or vibrant motif in the master, consider introducing it through your guest bedroom’s roman shades instead.

For a classical touch, consider one of our rich-toned Shantung silk roman shades embellished with gilded tassel trims. Let an eclectic boudoir come into its own with a fringe-trimmed paisley shade, and a pared-back, casual setting with a ribbon-border pinstriped cotton roman shade. And for the stark minimalist suite, think neutral-toned linen roman shades left trim-free for the clean silhouette to shine.

There is a fabric and finish for every vision to be brought to life. So, browse the virtual aisle and find the bedroom roman shade that will bring your design style together with its palette, pattern, and flourish. But, fabric is not all; there is one more marker of your aesthetic, and that takes us to the next styling tip.

Choose the Fold Style that Balances Function and Elegance

The fold style of roman shades refers to their method of construction and has a direct impact on their ease of operation and visual appeal. Sewn offers three fold styles, each offering a different combination of aesthetic and functionality.

The flat fold shades feature straight bottoms and crisp, even folds that complement most interiors, especially modern streamlined homes. They function smoothly, making them the top choice for those who will likely operate their bedroom shades every day. 

The flat fold shades come in two variations: the plain fold shades with front slats and the flat fold shades with back slats. Front-slatted shades feature raised silhouettes of their slats on the frontage, making for a structural pattern of horizontal lines that saves a plain roman shade from looking too flat. The back-slatted style, in contrast, features a clean frontage uninterrupted by slat silhouettes. This clean canvas - free of any visual breaks - is the perfect stage for a pattern to be exhibited beautifully, almost likening the roman shade to wall art.

If your bedroom decor leans more towards traditional, feminine, or all-out casual, shades stitched in the European relaxed fold style can be better design mouthpieces with their slightly undone appeal and signature scalloped bottoms. 

In a master bedroom where you will likely draw the shades every morning, opt for one of the flat folds for fuss-free operation. And, we recommend reserving European shades for guest bedrooms where operation will be minimal, or where their role is primarily aesthetic, as shades of this style need a bit of manual assistance to set their pleats. Over and above these bedroom-specific insights, if you wish to learn more about each fold style, take a peek at our  Roman Shades Fold Style Guide.

Choose the Mounting Position Thoughtfully

Roman shades can be installed in two positions: the inside mounting position, in which they are tucked into the window frame/recess, or the outside mounting position, in which they are affixed above the window onto the wall or ceiling. Both positions have attractive offerings and related downsides, well-explained in our guide on Inside Mount Vs Outside Mount Roman Shades, but depending on the specifics of your bedroom, one position might prove better than the other.

If your bedroom windows have ornate moldings and trims, inside mounting your roman shades will help you flaunt them. And, if you’re planning for overtreatments like drapes, the inset position facilitates layering without looking too bulky. However, when the shade is folded up, it will stack within the window’s frame, thereby blocking a part of your window permanently, potentially congesting smaller bedroom windows. 

The outside-mounting position, by contrast, is ideal for small windows and for bedrooms where roman shades are standalone window treatments. For this, the shades should ideally be mounted high enough to accommodate their stack on the wall, preventing them from blocking the window when folded up. Further, we recommend extending the shades by 6-12 inches on all sides of the window trim. This will not only minimize light leaks on the edges, but also make a small window look a lot bigger. 

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.

So, factor in your bedroom’s architectural features, window size, and blackout goals when you decide between the inside and outside mounting position. And after you finalize the position, measure appropriately to avoid light bleeding at the edges.

HOMESEWN HANDBOOK: Roman Shades Measurement Guide

Layer to Amp Up the Insulation

When it comes to master bedrooms, where insulation and room-darkening have to be top-notch, doubling up your gear only makes things better. Layering your bedroom roman shades with custom drapes enables you to have more versatile control over light and privacy. Pairing sheer and blackout treatments is ideal in bedrooms to ensure round-the-clock privacy and keep your bedroom warm in winter.

There are also aesthetic benefits to this approach. Whether it be contrasting the delicacy of sheers with the visual weight of blackouts, or the mixing and matching of patterns, layered window treatments are an opportunity to add depth and detail to your bedroom decor. So, if your design language favors layering, overtreating your bedroom roman shades with drapes is not just functionally ideal, but also aesthetically befitting for these style-forward hideaways.

HOMESEWN WISDOM: Layering Roman Shades with Curtains | How to Layer Sheer and Blackout Curtains

Bedroom Roman Shades: FAQs

Are roman shades a good choice for a bedroom?

Yes. They take up no more room than the window itself, keep the window dressed even when raised, and with blackout lining they darken the room and dampen outside sound. They work on their own or layered under curtains.

What fabric works best for bedroom roman shades?

For a dark, quiet room, choose a substantial fabric such as heavy cotton, tight-knit linen or velvet and add blackout lining, which works best behind denser fabrics. Loosely woven linens and sheers suit a guest room, or any bedroom where soft, filtered light is the goal.

Can bedroom roman shades be blackout?

Yes. Any of our roman shades can be made blackout by choosing our blackout lining, which is sewn in and comes in white, pale gray or pale beige. It darkens the room, dampens sound and helps insulate the window.

Which roman shade fold style is best for a bedroom?

If you’ll raise and lower the shade every day, choose a flat fold: back slats for a clean, uninterrupted front, or front slats for a crisp, structured look. The European relaxed fold suits guest rooms and mostly decorative shades, as its folds need a little help to settle.

Should bedroom roman shades be mounted inside or outside the window?

An inside mount shows off pretty window trim and sits neatly under curtains, but it needs at least 2 inches of flat recess, and the raised shade covers part of the glass. An outside mount, set high and wider than the trim, blocks more light at the edges and can make a small window look bigger.

How do you stop light leaking around a bedroom roman shade?

Mount the shade outside the frame and extend it past the trim on every side, pair blackout lining with a dense face fabric, and measure carefully. For the darkest room, layer full-length, blackout-lined curtains over the shade.

Do roman shades work in a small bedroom?

They’re one of the best choices. They stop at the sill, so they don’t take up floor space the way long curtains do, and an outside mount set above the frame lets the shade stack on the wall, keeping the whole window clear when it’s raised.

Shop Bedroom Window Roman Shades at Sewn

Bedrooms put window treatments to the ultimate test - demanding excellence in insulation, room-darkening, privacy, and aesthetic. And custom roman shades pass with flying colors, appeasing both function and aesthetic equally, merging the design potential of drapes with the structural beauty of modern-day blinds. All the while, letting your master bedroom feel unmistakably yours with personalized touches, and making the guest bedroom ready to impress. Practical, beautiful, and endlessly adaptable, they bring both purpose and personality to your sleeping area. So, wait no more, explore our catalog of more than 2,500 fabrics and begin transforming your sleep sanctuary with Sewn! And if you’d like a hand choosing, just drop us a line at hi@sewndrapesandshades.com.