Options beside outside mount blinds

4 years ago

We really like the clean, streamlined look of inside mount roman shades. Unfortunately, our windows will are not deep enough to accommodate inside mount shades, so we would need to go with outside mount blinds. They just seem so clunky and cumbersome on the outside of the window. Do I have any other options?

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kaokeefe75
Original Author

4 years ago

Shadylady2U - We are trying to avoid curtains in the living room because it's really small and it seems like curtains might crowd the room. And we are reluctant to put curtains in the kitchen with kids in the house. Window coverings would be for decorative purposes only since we are in the woods and privacy is not that much of a concern. A friend suggested "cornices" or hard valances, but I am not sure if that would look too dated?

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Comments (15)

shadylady2u
4 years ago
How much depth do you have? There are slim headrails available.
kaokeefe75
Original Author
4 years ago
It's just less than an inch. We have had two designers take a look and both say an inside mount cannot be done. I will ask about the slim headrails, thanks!
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kaokeefe75
Original Author
4 years ago
For reference: I guess just shy on an inch
shadylady2u
4 years ago
Ugg, I don't think the headrails are quite that slim. The only option I can think of, is to find a small workroom that can mount a Roman to a 1x1. They would be made (or should be) to follow child safety laws and can be made with cord locks.

If you don't like outside mounted shades, I guess curtains are not an option?
kaokeefe75 thanked shadylady2u
PRO
Flo Mangan
4 years ago
Can we see picture from further back.
kaokeefe75
Original Author
4 years ago
Attaching photos of kitchen and living room. Any suggestions appreciated!
shadylady2u
4 years ago
While valances aren't very popular right now, using an updated, modern fabric would keep it from looking dated. However, I'm not sure I'd like them with all the windows you have. May be a bit much. If you don't need to open and close them, you could go with faux Romans inside mount. I'm still sticking to my suggestion of mounting them to 1x1's. Would be no problem, especially if they're faux.
ratherbesewing
4 years ago
I am facing a similiar challenge in my own house although my window depth is a little larger than yours. Have you looked at fabric roller shades? All the web blind stores offer them. They appear like a faux grasscloth to me. You will have to measure the mounting hardware.

To shady lady: I was shopping today for a 1 X 1 board at the big box stores as we'll as a specialty lumber store without any luck. I guess I will have to have a bigger board cut down because I don't own a table saw :) Also, can you take a look at the sewing board? I posted a Roman blind constuction question and no one has responded.

Sorry to hijack kaokeefe75.
kaokeefe75
Original Author
4 years ago
I am intrigued by the idea of the 1 x 1 with a faux roman shade. Any idea who I might ask to do this? The 1 window covering designers I had out to the house don't offer this. Or is this a DYI thing?

I know roller shades are becoming more popular, but I am a bit hesitant to use those - memories of the old vinyl pull down shades, I guess. I will have to take another look at them.
shadylady2u
4 years ago
It's not a DIY thing. Just have to find a small, probably one person,
workroom. Some designers deal with small workrooms and some with
commercial type workrooms. Maybe this designer only deals with the
companies you find online.

Fabric stores will often have names or go here and pick "Find a Pro". Not all workrooms will be listed there, but you may find someone.
shadylady2u
4 years ago
Ratherbesewing, they probably don't have a lot of call for 1x1's, so don't keep them in stock, but they should be able to cut a 1x2 down for you.

I'll reply to your sewing question a little bit later : ) Have a good book to recommend if you're interested.
Sammy
4 years ago
Actually, unless you have some extraordinary trim that‘s worthy of being left uncovered (which most of us do not), outside mount is the preferred installation method because it gives a much cleaner look.
wdccruise
4 years ago
If that were my house I wouldn't see a reason to cover the windows and obscure the views. For bedrooms that required nighttime (e.g., blackout) covering, I'd want to use the least-visible product available: perhaps a cellular shade the same color as and attached to the upper molding that could pulled completely up and out of the way, and "hidden" in front of the molding.

-- amateur
PRO
Kimber Feece, A Smith & Noble In-Home Designer
4 years ago
You can get a roman in there with a slim headrail. The slim headrail I’m thinking of in an 1 1/4” and with your mounding you wouldn’t notice the 1/4”. That being mounting above your molding would actually probably look better and make the window appear taller and when the shades are open you have more window view because they would stack up higher and it looks like you have a nice view.