How to Choose Fabrics for Your Roman Shades

Rachel Brosky Interiors • June 27, 2025

For centuries, Roman shades have been a go-to choice for stylish windows. This versatile window covering is available in various materials and folds to suit any interior preference and need.

Up-close product image of blue Roman shade fabrics with a room-darkening liner on a window at Rachel Brosky Interiors near Elizabethtown, Kentucky (KY)

Your chosen fabric can make or break the aesthetic of your Hunter Douglas Roman shades, and the Rachel Brosky Interiors team is here to help you select your ideal fabrics.

Types of Roman Shade Fabrics

Here are some types of Roman shade fabrics to choose from during your window treatment customization process:

Linen: Linen is a strong and luxurious natural fiber. Linen Roman shades are ideal for creating a casually elegant ambiance, and linen blends are also an excellent option.
Cotton: Cotton is another natural fabric that’s breathable, durable, and soft. Choose cotton or a cotton blend for Roman shades with clean lines and quiet sophistication.
Wool: Wool is soft, strong, and naturally fire-resistant, stretching with time, giving it a unique character. Consider wool or wool blends for cozy custom Roman shades.
Silk: Silk provides upscale, natural beauty and is available in various weights and textures. The subtle elegance elevates your window’s aesthetic.

Fabric Liners for Roman Shades

Our window treatment experts can sew fabric liners to the back of your Hunter Douglas Roman shade. You won’t see them, but they work overtime to give your shades a structured, polished appearance. Lining your Roman shades protects the fabric from sun damage and increases its insulation capacity.

Additionally, liners come in several opacities, including privacy and room-darkening, to give you more control over natural light and privacy.

Should You Choose Solid or Patterned Fabric for Roman Shades?

Roman shades’ high-end appearance provides a stunning aesthetic regardless of whether you choose a print or solid material. If you want a bold, oversized print, consider flat Roman shades. This style shows off the pattern without interruption. Small patterns and prints are great for folded Roman shades because they won’t break up when you lift them.

Alternatively, solid fabrics create a subtle sophistication in any room. If you have a focal point in your space, solid fabrics on your window treatments allow the eye to go directly to the art or furniture piece you want to showcase.

Considerations for Custom Roman Shades Fabric

It’s essential to choose the shade style you prefer before committing to a fabric. Flat and cascade Roman shades have a crisp, streamlined look best achieved with heavier fabrics, like wool. Alternatively, relaxed shade styles are ideal for lighter Roman shade fabrics, like linen.

Another crucial factor is the level of privacy and light control you desire. Do you want light diffusion with minimal privacy or elevated light control and privacy? Choose a fabric that meets your maintenance needs. For example, cotton and linen are easier to care for than silk.

Shop Hunter Douglas Roman Shades Near Elizabethtown, KY

Do you have a specific fabric in mind for your custom Roman shades? Rachel Brosky Interiors can offer advice and suggestions to help you design ethereal Hunter Douglas Roman shades. We’re excited to help bring your vision to life!

Visit our showroom at 104 North Mantle Avenue, Suite 100, contact us online, or call (270) 982-0887 to schedule an in-home interior design consultation. Rachel Brosky Interiors is located in Elizabethtown, KY, and we’re happy to serve our surrounding communities, including Brandenburg, Vine Grove, and Bowling Green, KY.