Roman Blinds Guide: Types, Blackout Options and Where to Buy in the UK
What Are Roman Blinds?
Roman blinds are a soft window covering made from a single piece of fabric that folds into neat horizontal pleats when raised and hangs flat when lowered. They combine the tailored look of blinds with the soft texture of curtains, making them a popular choice for windows across the UK.
Types of Roman Blinds
Blackout Roman Blinds
Blackout roman blinds use a thick lining behind the main fabric to block out sunlight almost completely, making them a favourite for bedrooms and anywhere a fully dark room is needed.
Linen Roman Blinds
Linen roman blinds offer a relaxed, textured look and breathe well, suiting living rooms and other spaces where soft, filtered light is preferred over full blackout.
Roman Bamboo Blinds
Made from woven bamboo or grass fibres, roman bamboo blinds bring a natural, textured warmth to a room and suit relaxed or coastal-style interiors.
Sheer and Voile Roman Blinds
Lighter, semi-transparent options that filter sunlight while maintaining daytime privacy, often chosen for kitchens and home offices.
Ready Made vs Made to Measure Roman Blinds
Ready made roman blinds come in fixed standard sizes and are generally cheaper and quicker to buy, while made to measure roman blinds are cut precisely to a window’s dimensions for a more tailored, snug fit.
Roman Blinds for Different Rooms
Roman Blinds for the Kitchen
The Roman blinds in the kitchen work best in easy-clean, moisture-resistant fabrics or with a wipeable coating, since kitchens are prone to steam and splashes.
Roman Blinds for Bedrooms
Blackout roman blinds are the standard choice here, often paired with curtains for extra insulation and a fuller, layered look.
Roman Blinds and Curtains Together
Many UK homes now pair roman blinds with curtains, using the blind for daily light control and the curtains for added texture, warmth and drama at the window.
Where to Buy Roman Blinds in the UK
Roman blinds are widely available from both high street retailers and specialist made to measure services. IKEA roman blinds tend to suit simple, ready made needs on a budget, while Dunelm roman blinds and John Lewis roman blinds offer a wider range of patterns and made to measure options. Argos roman blinds and Next roman blinds are convenient for standard sizes at accessible prices, and dedicated blind specialists typically offer the broadest fabric choice for a fully made to measure fit. Shoppers outside the UK searching for roman blinds NZ or roman blinds through retailers like Bunnings will find similar core styles, blackout, linen and bamboo, available locally.
Cheap Roman Blinds: What to Expect
Cheap roman blinds are usually ready made in standard sizes with simpler fabric choices. They suit rental properties or budget-conscious buyers well, though made to measure options generally offer a better fit, more fabric choice and longer-lasting mechanisms for a modest extra cost.
How to Make Roman Blinds at Home
- Measure the window recess or outer frame precisely, allowing extra fabric for hems
- Choose a fabric weight suited to the room, lightweight linen for living areas or a blackout lining for bedrooms
- Sew horizontal pocket seams to hold the support rods that create the folding pleats
- Attach a lifting cord system through screw eyes along the top of the blind
- Fit a headrail or batten at the top of the window and hang the finished blind
Sewing your own roman blind allows full control over fabric choice, an option not always available with ready made or big-box retailer designs.
Roman Blinds vs Other Window Coverings
| Style | Look | Light Control | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman blinds | Soft, tailored folds | Good to excellent (with blackout lining) | Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens |
| Roller blinds | Flat, minimal | Good | Modern, minimalist spaces |
| Curtains | Flowing, layered | Variable | Living rooms, added insulation |
| Venetian blinds | Adjustable slats | Excellent, adjustable | Offices, kitchens |
Caring for Roman Blind Fabric
Most roman blinds should be dusted regularly with a soft brush attachment and spot cleaned rather than fully washed, since removing and reattaching the support rods can disturb the fold structure. Linen and bamboo roman blinds benefit from occasional airing to prevent musty smells in humid rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens. For fabric-specific care advice, see our Textile Care & Conservation guide.
Sustainable Roman Blind Fabric Choices
Organic cotton, linen and bamboo are widely regarded as lower-impact fabric choices for roman blinds compared with synthetic alternatives. Read more in our Sustainable & Eco Textiles guide.
Common Roman Blind Myths
Roman blinds cannot fully block out light. A properly fitted blackout roman blind, extending slightly beyond the window frame, blocks light almost as effectively as blackout curtains.
Made to measure always costs far more than ready made. Prices vary widely, and many made to measure services now sit closer to ready made pricing, especially for standard window sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between roman blinds and roman shades?
The terms are largely interchangeable, with “roman shades” more commonly used in the US and “roman blinds” the standard UK term for the same folding fabric design.
Are blackout roman blinds good for bedrooms?
Yes, blackout roman blinds are one of the most effective window coverings for blocking light in bedrooms, particularly when fitted to extend beyond the window frame.
Can I fit roman blinds in a kitchen?
Yes, though an easy-clean or wipeable fabric is recommended given the steam and splashes common in kitchens.
Are IKEA or Dunelm roman blinds good quality?
Both offer solid ready made options at accessible prices, though a dedicated made to measure service will usually provide a more precise fit and wider fabric range.
How do I clean a roman blind?
Dust regularly with a soft brush attachment and spot clean stains, since fully washing can disturb the internal rods that hold the fold shape.
Related Reading
Written by the Textile Conservancy editorial team, dedicated to helping readers understand fabric, care for it properly, and make more sustainable material choices.
