Taking The Mystery Out Of Roman Shades

Roman shades are available in many styles, fabrics and liner options. We’re breaking down the differences so you know which one is right for you!

We’ve been using Bali Blinds for window coverings almost exclusively for the last 10 years. The high quality and varying styles, fabrics and lift options that Bali offers make them a natural choice for any window style or budget! While we’ve utilized multiple different styles over the years, Roman Shades are by far our personal favorite. There are, however, multiple types of Roman Shades and one of the questions we receive most often is ‘what’s the difference between Classic Roman and Tailored Roman shades?’ Let’s break it down, shall we?

This post is in partnership with Bali Blinds, a brand we’ve used for years and continue to love. Fabric samples are always free, and Bali Blinds can be purchased at any of these retailers or you can call their customer service directly.

The Similarities

Before we dive into the differences between Classic Roman and Tailored Roman shades from Bali, let’s first discuss the similarities. Both styles of Roman shades are available in dozens of fabric types, which makes ordering free fabric swatches arguably the most important step of the process!

• Both Classic Roman and Tailored Roman shades are available in flat or looped styles.
• Both styles are available in four different control styles: Motorized, Cordless, Continuous Loop and Cord Lift.
• Both styles are also available in two shade types: Standard and Bottom Up/Top Down.
• Both Classic Roman and Tailored Roman shades can be ordered as inside mount or outside mount depending on the size, placement and style of window they’ll be covering.

Classic Roman Shade Uniquenesses

There are a handful of features that set Classic Roman shades apart from their Tailored counterparts. We’ve used both styles in our homes to compliment different designs. Our selections also vary depending the light control and privacy needs of each space.

• Classic Roman shades are the more budget-friendly option of the two, although pricing will fluctuate depending on lift styles and options selected.
• Classic Roman shades are unlined, meaning that light control and privacy are determined entirely by which of the three fabric styles is chosen.
• Classic Roman shades are offered with a fabric valence.

All in all, Classic Roman shades are a simple and cost effective custom window covering with smooth operation that won’t break the bank!

Tailored Roman Shades Uniquenesses

Tailored Roman shades offer just about everything that Classic Roman shades do, with a couple of additional options.

• In addition to flat and looped styles, Tailored Roman shades are available in two additional styles: seamless and relaxed.
• Tailored Roman shades offer three different liner types: Standard, dimout and blackout.
• Since Tailored Roman shade fabrics can be paired with different liners, there are hundreds of different possible combinations available.

While there may be a slight cost increase to opt for Tailored Roman shades over Classic Roman shades, the additional features and customization options are often worth the investment! The majority of the Roman shades in our home are Tailored Roman, and we absolutely love the ability to match the right fabrics with the appropriate liners.

We recently swapped out the dark blue Tailored Roman shades in our dining room in favor of a lighter fabric that plays well with the new vintage-look rug. We love how the light denim color brings out the rug’s subtle blue shades!

Which Style is Right for Your Space?

For us, the first considerations are our privacy and/or light control needs. If we find a Classic Roman fabric that we like that meets our light control needs, we keep it simple and go that route! If we find a Tailored Roman fabric that we like, we then move on to our liner decision based on the space. We usually prefer a standard or dimout liner for common areas like living rooms, dining rooms and family spaces. For bedrooms, we’re team blackout all the way!

Regardless of the styles being considered, we encourage you to start your window covering journey with Bali’s Blind + Shade Visualizer tool or by ordering free fabric swatches! These are both easy, no-cost ways to get an idea of how things will look in your space. We hope this breakdown eliminates some of the mystery surrounding Roman shade styles and as always, thank you for supporting the brands that support us!