A Softer Kind of Shade

Q: My home has a traditional feel with some contemporary pieces and I'm torn between shades and drapes. I like the soft fabric look of drapes, but I'd rather have the convenience of cord controls (and the more compact design, too). What can you suggest?

A: Roman shades are perfect for your needs! These shades mix the soft appearance and feel of fabric with the ease of shade controls. These fabric window treatments cover your window with either elegant folds of fabric or more contemporary flat panels, both of which can be raised and lowered with traditional shade cord controls or cord loops.

And, since roman shades come in a variety of styles, colors, and textures, you have a huge range of choices to match your home's unique décor. They're also available in room-darkening or light-filtering fabrics that give you even greater control over the atmosphere in your home. And, in addition to being versatile, roman shades also come in top down/bottom up styles that allow you to raise and lower your shade from either the bottom rail or the top.

With almost unlimited options in styles and function, you can't go wrong with roman shades!

Soft Blind Alternatives

Q: I'm hoping to find something that functions like a blind but isn't rough or rigid like traditional wood or aluminum. Basically, I want the versatility without the slats. Can you help?

A: Of course! There are a few “blind alternatives” available. The most common are sheer horizontal blinds but there are other popular options like cellular and pleated shades. If you really want the slat “look” but with softer tones or light filtering, then you'll want to go with sheer horizontal shades. These shades have strips of opaque fabric suspended between sheer panels so that you have the best possible light control. You can leave the “slats” open to let in soft, diffused light, or you can tilt them shut for better privacy or to darken the room. Of course you can also raise these and let in full sunlight, too.

Cellular and pleated shades look a lot like traditional blinds but are solid pieces of fabric rather than slatted. These are great options for more contemporary looks but are still soft to the touch. In fact, cellular blinds have the added benefit of insulating your window against energy loss and noise.

My personal favorites are the sheer horizontal blinds because you have so many options for light control. But honestly, any way you go, all of these are great, soft alternatives to your traditional slatted blinds!