Sunroom Roman Shades: Top Tips to Balance Light, Mood & Style

Whether used round the year or only when the season favors, sunrooms are our escapes where we linger just as long and free as the golden light that streams in there. But no matter how much we appreciate lounging in a sun-drenched glass room, peak summer makes us want a break. This is where sunroom roman shades come to play - embracing the light, but dimming its glare, smartly tailoring it to the need while maintaining an airy, streamlined appeal overall. And while doing so, they offer a sky-high aesthetic potential so that they can become mouthpieces of any decor style. 

Unlike industrially fabricated blinds that can only ever offer a couple of tones and patterns to choose from, custom roman shades come with a vast spectrum of choice where the most adventurous taste will find its perfect match. Their soft folds and fabric texture add a touch of cosiness to the sunroom, something that’s far too difficult to achieve with flat poly rollers and vinyl blinds. But that’s not all, well-considered roman shades don’t just soften the light or air your style; they also say it loud that your decor is bespoke, personalized with care and intention. If that’s the agenda that brought you to Sewn today, stay right here, as we take you through the styling tips for the best sunroom roman shades.

Pick a Light-Filtering Fabric

Window treatments should ideally never shortchange the sunroom’s inherent quality of welcoming light. Ensuring that starts at the stage that matters most - the selection of the fabric. Neither cutting off light too rigidly, nor letting it have its sway, the right fabric is one that strikes the balance and complements the way the space is used.

For a sunroom that is used for relaxing, opt for light-diffusing sheer or semi-sheer fabrics. They soften the light and maintain adequate privacy during the day. However, if you’re using the space for work or study, go for a better defence with lightweight non-sheer fabrics that can cut the sharp glare when the sun is high.

The role of lining also has to be weighed against the priorities of a sunroom. Besides providing more volume and structure to the shades, the lining also improves their insulating capacity. Hence, sunroom shades are better left unlined, especially if the face fabric is transparent, to make the most of their ability to diffuse light.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Linen Roman Shades | Sheer Roman Shades

Let the Palette & Pattern Nod to Nature’s Elegance

Sunrooms are architectural bridges between the comfort of indoor living and the magnificence of outdoor spaces. This idea of being wrapped by the warm embrace of nature should reflect in the colors and prints of the roman shades.

Think of serene white and azure evoking summer’s clear skies, pastel yellows and tangy bisque tones that echo dawn’s honeyed glow, soft sage and olive shades that reminisce of sun-kissed meadows, or a winsome melange that nods to spring’s colorburst in blooming gardens. 

If you wish to introduce patterned roman shades to add more depth to the design and counterbalance the blurring effect of the light, turn to floral, botanical, toile, and chinoiserie prints. These patterns nod to the picturesque scenes framed by the windows and strengthen the outdoorsy theme of the sunroom further. 

HAUL 'EM HOME: Floral Roman Shades | Toile Roman Shades | Yellow Roman Shades

Choose a Fold Style that Blends Style & Function

At Sewn, customizability goes beyond choosing the fabric that piques your heart. You can also style your roman shades in your favorite fold style - an aspect that affects both their visual appeal and operability. We provide roman shades in these three popular fold styles, each offering a unique combination of style and function:

• Plain Folds with Front Slats: A boxy profile and ribbed frontage are the highlight features of this fold style. It is ideal for plain fabrics where the slat lines double up as a subtle pattern or touch of texture - a little detail that can make all the difference sometimes.

• Flat Folds with Back Slats: This style has squarish contours and offers a clean frontage with no slat lines, making it ideal for bold prints to be presented without visual interruption. Here, the slats are stitched to the lining, so this style can only be opted for lined roman shades.

• European Relaxed Folds: Featuring softly scalloped folds with a slightly undone appeal, the European relaxed fold style accentuates the laidback flair of the sunroom. Lacking the support of slats, these shades need a little help in settling into neat folds, making them ideal for sunrooms where the shades will be left semi-open permanently or operated rarely.

Choose the fold style that endorses your sunroom’s decor style and anchors it in the mood you’re envisioning to create. Also, make sure it delivers to the anticipated level of operation so that functional needs are not sidelined in the quest for aesthetic impact.

HOMESEWN GUIDEBOOK: Roman Shades Fold Style Guide

Keep it Streamlined with Faux Shades & Valances

If you’re one who loves to bask in the light even when it’s shining with all its might, your sunroom might not need window treatments after all. And yet, you may not want to miss out on what a roman shade can contribute to the room’s aesthetics. This is where faux roman shades shine.

They are pole-mounted valances that look like shades folded up to clear the window. Occupying very little optical real estate, but providing the same look of a roman shade, faux shades are clever accessories that offer pizzazz but with meaningful restraint. 

You can also consider opting for one of our valances that come in various designs. Pleated for a traditional touch, scalloped for a luxurious feel, or streamlined with modern flair, our valances cater to various aesthetic sensibilities, so you’re not short of means to air your decor style.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Custom Valances | Faux Roman Shades

Shop Sunroom Roman Shades at Sewn

Wise design not only makes the space more functional and visually pleasing, but does so while catering to your tastes and preferences. This is where Sewn’s sunroom roman shades win your heart. No matter what your decor style - Scandinavian quiet, country-style homey, farmhouse-ish cozy, or minimalist chic, we’ve got something for you. From airy linens and floral sheers to breezy cottons and faux-linens - every fancy, every style, every mood, finds its space in our collection. So, get to our virtual aisle, and start exploring for that perfect sunroom roman shade that both shapes the light and sets the mood. Happy shopping with Sewn!