A roman blind is a very popular window dressing but do they look better inside or outside the window recess?
The decision whether to fix your roman blind inside or outside the window recess comes down to personal preference and there isn’t a right or wrong answer. Please see below some practical considerations that may help you in your decision making process.
Practical Considerations
Some window recesses have a very small frame to fix a bracket to so for practical reasons fitting outside the recess may be the best option. You may also wish to use your windowsill for decoration and therefore a blind fitted outside the window recess will be a better choice.
Window Considerations
If you have a decorative window, particularly at the top of the window, you may wish to install the blind outside the recess so that the blind doesn’t hide the beautiful detail in your window.
Blackout Requirements
Fitting a blind inside the window recess will reduce any light ingress around the edges of the blind. A blind fitted outside the recess will project away from the wall by approximately 4.5cm once the headrail is installed and light can pass around the edges of the blind. If fitting inside a window recess we recommend deducting 1cm from the wall to wall measurement to ensure the blind fabric sits flat when lowered and doesn’t rub on the side walls. This will however lead to a small amount of light coming in through the small gaps. The 1cm deduction is down to personal preference, but please note if the deduction isn’t made the roman blind fabric may rub on the side walls when the blind is raised or lowered.
Ultimate Blackout
For an ultimate blackout solution we would recommend layering a roman blind with a blackout roller blind or curtains, lined with a blackout lining. The double layer will help to reduce any light ingress. Ceiling fitting a curtain track and ensuring the track is wider than the window will also help to reduce any light coming into the room.
Light
A blind fitted inside the window recess will block more light from entering the room. If you’d prefer more daylight to come into your room you may wish to fit the blind outside the recess so that the blind clears more of the window when fully raised. You can also decide how high above the window to fit the blind to maximise the light entering the room.
The image shows Sanderson’s Stapleton Park fabric from their One Sixty Fabric collection.
Please refer to our made to measure roman blind page for further information on our make-up service. Shop our wide range of fabrics that can be made up into beautiful roman blinds made to your requirements and specification.
For styling ideas and inspiration, please see our trend guides. If you would like help pulling a full room scheme together, we also offer a complementary face to face and virtual Bespoke Design Service from our showroom in Brockenhurst. Please get in touch if we can assist with your project.
Email sales@thehomeofinteriors.co.uk or call us on 01590 615775.
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