Roman Shades - where to mount

15 years ago

I want to add Roman Shades behind my drapery panels . The Drapery panels are mounted close to the ceiling, which is about a foot above the top of the window.

I would like to cover as little of the window as possible so that maximum light comes in. I will only lower the shades at night.

Should I mount the Roman shades on the window frame at the top of the window or in line with the curtain rod that holds the side panels?

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Comments (10)

mom3suns
15 years ago
Mount the shades on the window frame.
sallymo2015
15 years ago
artlover,
Do you need to add height to the room? The romans mounted even with the rod will help accent the height of the window. However, I have seen many with the romans mounted inside the window frame and it looks fine, too. I do think it is a cleaner, neater look to mount even with the rods, but you will have to order extra length to do that. I'm attaching a link from my blog that has a good before and after picture. The romans in this house were lined woven woods. I've shown this picture before, but you may have missed it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Even with the rod
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Thanks for your response. jejvtr, basically the actual window is set back in the wall so there is about 8 inches of space between the window and where the shade would be with an outside mount as it skims the wall. This space is just boxed out with dry wall and there is no trim at all. I'm sure I don't have all of the right terms for it and I don't have pics just yet. Seems like most people agree with an outside mount though. And, I just saw on another post (Contrasting Trim vs Same Color Trim as Wall post) where a roman was placed with an outside mount and then behind it they used a fiber roller shade. It looked pretty good. Maybe I'll consider that.
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brutuses
15 years ago
I don't like to see curtains mounted all the way to the ceiling when there is a foot of wall showing and I think it would make that look even more pronounced if you mount the shades on the window frame. I would mount them a bit higher only to take up the blank wall space. Or else lower the curtains to half way between the top of the window and the ceiling, then install the blinds on the inside of the window.
oceanna
15 years ago
Do you seriously need to block light there? If yes, I'd just do a tied-up faux Roman Blind that is super easy to make, and put a roller blind that hides behind it. It will probably look better if you mount the Roman up by your curtains.
artlover13060
Original Author
15 years ago
Sallymo, thanks for the link to the pictures. That helps me decide. I am trying to add height to the room and not cover much of the window. I don't think I mentioned that this is in my dining room. There are two 2.5 X 7' windows that are about 3' apart. I like my drapery panels and like the bare window look. I mounted the panels so that they only cover the window frame on the side but none of the glass. If we are dining at night I feel the need for a little more privacy. I plan to make the shades so length won't be a problem. I would include a picture but I'm painting that room and the drapes are not up.
sallymo2015
15 years ago
Can't wait to see your finished pictures.
saltnpeppa
15 years ago
Yes, I like the look that Sallymo posted.
I have enjoyed looking at your blog Sallymo....you do beautiful work & your shop looks very nice!

Smiles:)
bronwynsmom
15 years ago
Yes, put the Roman shades just under the curtain rod, and make them wide enough so that their side edges are covered by the curtain panels. That way, when they are up, they cover only the top frame, as your curtains cover the sides. Makes the windows look all of a piece, higher, and wider.
One good rule of thumb to remember is that 80% of the light in the room comes from the to 20% of the window.
sallymo2015
15 years ago
Thanks scoobyruby, that is nice of you to say that. Wish you could stop in but I know you're not in the neighborhood!!

artlover, I forgot to mention that by mounting the romans higher you are also able to get the full amount of light because they will pull all the way up to the edge of the trim. Inside mounts can only go up so far.
bronwynsmom
15 years ago
One good rule of thumb to remember is that 80% of the light in the room comes from the to 20% of the window.
Make that the TOP 20%... sorry!