Drapes vs. Roman Shades: Which is Right for Your Home?

By Ralene Simmons

When it comes to window treatments, two of the most elegant options are drapes and Roman shades. As I say all the time, window treatments finish a room, and these options are two of the best. Here are some practical and design-savvy ways to determine whether to use drapes or roman shades in your home.

Drapes and shades function similarly for privacy and light control. But they can shine differently for different situations. Here are examples of both, and the reasons I made these choices in client homes. Hopefully this will help you decide which is right for your home.

The Case for Drapes

When it comes to drapes the choice is about luxury and drama. Full-length drapes elongate windows, soften hard architectural lines, and of course, with almost endless fabric choices, you can tailor your home to any mood or aesthetic.

The white pleated drapes in this home soften all the square shapes in this room.

The soft color of the drapes in this large great room are the perfect choice for delineating the open floor plan into unique spaces. Open floorplans can be difficult to paint in a special color because of so many common walls leading into multiple rooms. Window treatments, art and the furnishings help to create the intimate, more purposeful spaces that we often crave in our homes.

Pro Tip: It’s true! You should hang the curtain rod higher and wider than just a couple of inches outside your window frame. I don’t have a rule for the number of inches because each room is different, and I may want to emphasize the window area differently depending on the rest of the design in the room. This approach also pairs beautifully with custom drapery because you can determine the height and width of your custom curtain rod, and have drapes made exactly to those dimensions.

The Case for Roman Shades

Roman shades are streamlined and practical for covering windows in a subtle, more tailored look while still adding softness. Because they mount either inside or just above the window frame, they’re a smart choice in tighter spaces where drapes may feel too heavy.

I chose an inset Roman shade in this bedroom because of the floor radiator obstructing the space. It turns out these blinds will be closed most of the time for privacy, so subtly blending in with this wall in the room was desirable.

To visually balance the focal point on this wall, I kept the shades mounted on the outside so the tall narrow side lights didn’t feel stark or forgotten with such a dramatic fireplace.

For small windows, Roman shades provide a polished, space-saving solution that doesn’t overwhelm the wall. A Roman shade in a beautiful fabric can make even the tiniest window feel intentional.

Pro Tip: Roman shades can even be layered with drapes, which adds incredible dimension, and versatility in light control and privacy. If you have a really wide window, it may require multiple shades side by side, which can break up the clean look. In this case, pairing Roman shades with drapery panels can offer the best of both worlds: practicality and visual drama.

Final Thoughts

The choice between drapes and Roman shades depends on your room, your needs, and the mood you want to create. Drapes bring elegance and grandeur; Roman shades offer simplicity and polish. And sometimes, the most luxurious solution is combining both for a layered, personalized effect.

*Photos by Emily Keeney Photography

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