Hiding the Roller Shade Roll

Q: Is there a way to hide the roll on roller shades? I like the look of roller shades but am not too crazy about the exposed rolling system. Any ideas?

A: Yes! There are roller cassettes designed just for this purpose. Most people looking to install roller shades like the low-profile design and want to maintain that look throughout their window decorations. Roller shade cassettes are simple and give a sleek contemporary way to hide the roll at the top of your window. They also come in all kinds of colors that allows you to match either your trim or the roller shade itself. Both Hunter Douglas and YourBlinds carry low-profile roller shade cassettes.

If you want something less modern, you might also want to consider a conventional valence. Roller shades work great with existing drapes just by hiding the roll under a matching valence. You won't even know it's there!

Valences for Roller Shades

Q: I've decided to purchase roller shades for my windows (they're shallow) but I really want a more traditional look so I'm wondering if there are valence options for these kinds of shades.

A: Actually, Hunter Douglas has cassette roll covers that give roller shades a much more finished look. These cassette covers are designed to hide the hardware (the roll) at the top of the window and come in the same colors as their roller shades. They're curved and low-profile, meaning you can use them as valences if you're looking for a sleek design. To be perfectly honest, they're actually really attractive and perfect to give your shades a seamless look.

Of course, you can always combine the cassette roll cover with a traditional valence like the one in the photo. The cassette cover gives you a little more flexibility in choosing what kind of valence you want to install. By covering the roll with a low-profile cassette cover, you hide the hardware with something that blends with the shade. That way you can put up a short, translucent, or decorative valence without worrying about hiding the roll!