A Guide to Plain Fold Roman Shades with Front Slats
Turning structure into a statement, plain fold roman shades with front slats strike the perfect balance between visual oomph and practical efficiency. Whether you’re curating the sleek interiors of a penthouse suite or accentuating the mullion windows of a suburban bungalow, front-slatted plain fold roman shades elevate any space with effortless sophistication.
An understated architectural statement, front-slatted roman shades cater to those who know that true elegance lies in the details and that simplicity, when done right, can steal the show. If this vision resonates with your design ethos, you’re at the right place. Let this guide - full of insights and tips from our stylists - inspire your next window makeover with one of our plain fold roman shades with front slats.
What are Plain Fold Roman Shades with Front Slats
Flat fold roman shades are supported by an intelligently engineered system of interconnected slats on their rear side that help them function smoothly. Plain fold, front-slatted roman shades turn this structural feature into a decor element by featuring a ribbed frontage, revealing the contours of its slats on their fronts.
The signature element of the style — these slat silhouettes on the frontage — create raised, sculptural lines, adding visual depth to a shade. Mimicking embossed stripes, the horizontal slats lines are often just the garnish to spruce up a plain fabric and save it from looking too unadorned or ‘plain’. When operated, these roman shades cascade into neat, crisp accordion-like folds, thanks to the structure provided by the slats.
So, unlike back-slatted roman shades that conceal their slats, the front-slatted roman shades use their slats for visual allure as much as for their functional role. They offer raised contours that enrich the shades with visual texture and an architectural appeal. Also, their well-tacked frontage offers the tidiest clean-lined folds, perfect for a home that adores tailored beauty and flush finishes.
Front-Slatted Plain Fold Roman Shades: Perks to Pick
Front-slatted plain fold roman shades have well-earned their status as a client favorite, blending a sleek silhouette with unmatched functionality — it’s the kind of deal that’s hard to pass!
With the raised slat lines creating a striped pattern on the frontage, roman shades with front slats make the perfect match for plain, monochromatic fabrics. A plain fabric, free of any embellishment or pattern, may sometimes feel underwhelming. The sculptural contours of the slats create a self-patterned effect reminiscent of tonal stripes, lending depth and character to the otherwise plain fabric. Ultimately, this tactile detail offers just the right amount of charisma that draws the eye without feeling overpowering.
Beyond aesthetics, the slat lines are also an indispensable structural element. They ensure the shades maintain their shape and form, irrespective of the fabric composition. So, whether the fabric you chose is a delicate sheer or a dense velvet, you can rest assured that the shades will assume and preserve a crisp finish years later as much as they do on day one.
Besides, unlike shades without slats - such as the European relaxed shades - plain fold shades fall into neat, even folds with effortless ease every single time, needing no manual assistance to set into shape. And, those even folds result in a neat pile on the top when the shade is folded up, the perfect way to complement a spick and span uncluttered home.
Lastly, the raised contours of the slats proffer a more refined and well-defined structure to the front-slatted shades that, when layered with the flowy character of curtains, arouse visual interest by the sheer contrast of their forms. So, when layering roman blinds with custom curtains, plain fold shades with front slats are highly recommended for a striking contrast.
Plain fold roman shades with front slats offer both style and durability, making them a long-lasting investment for your home that ups your decor game in one smooth stroke. So, if you’re looking for a solution that combines stunning looks with effortless functionality, front-slatted shades are the perfect fit.
Front-Slatted Plain Fold Roman Shades: Points to Ponder
Front-slatted roman shades are undeniably a chic choice but like all design decisions, there are some nuances to ponder before you commit. So, do consider the following insights and tips from our stylists before finalizing your choice:
LARGE SCALE / ISLAND-STYLE PATTERNS: The raised slats of this style can become a source of interruption in patterns, especially in fabrics with large-scale patterns or island-style floating motifs. The slat lines may visibly pass through some motifs, creating a visual ‘break’ or interruption, while the other motifs may remain uninterrupted and slat-free. Or a slat line may pass through the middle of the motif in one row, but at a different position in the next row since the spacing between the motifs may not align with the distance between the slat lines - thereby creating a visual asymmetry. Fabrics with small-scale, densely packed patterns are an exception as their visual bustle camouflages the interruption of the slats, making these ‘visual breaks’ go largely unnoticed.
STRAIGHT-LINED HORIZONTAL PATTERNS: Printed fabrics like checks and stripes - that feature straight-lined patterns - may come with subtle imperfections like a minor tilt or wave in stripes. While such inconsistencies are barely noticeable on an uninterrupted surface, any imperfection in horizontal stripes can become noticeable on a front-slatted shade as the horizontal lines of the pattern sit against the surgical straight silhouettes of the slats. Therefore, the plain surfaces of our European roman shades or black-slatted roman shades are often the better partners for such fabrics.
How to Measure For Front-Slatted Roman Shades
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 Plain Fold Roman Shades with Front 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 Plain Fold Roman Shades with Front 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 front-slatted plain-fold, 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 Plain Fold Roman Shades with Front Slats from Sewn
At the end of this comprehensive guide, we hope you’re feeling fairly familiar with all the secrets that lie within the crisp folds of front-slatted, plain fold 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 some well-earned retail therapy.
Whether you’re seeking a piece of quiet resplendence or an element of unabashed opulence, be assured that our collection of custom roman shades is equipped to cover every whim and window. And on that rather thrilling note, go ahead, fellow shopper, give your shopaholic heart a free rein!
