Give Your Roman Shades An Easy Upgrade Using Budget-Friendly Materials

A staple window treatment in many households, Roman shades have proven their staying appeal with their elegant lines and versatility. This classic blind pairs well with existing curtains or can be hung as is, making it a reliable option when it comes to styling your windows. If you're looking to give your outdated curtains a modern upgrade or wanting to refresh the look of your Roman shades, this DIY will give you stunning results. You'd be surprised at how budget-friendly materials like ribbons and fabric glue or iron-on adhesives can elevate the look of your Roman shades with minimal effort on your part. Who knows — this bespoke approach may even convince you to swap your existing curtains for Roman shades.

If you want to make a plain Roman shade pop out and emphasize its room presence, trim the edges with fabric or ribbon. To do this, lay the shade on a clean and flat surface, right side up. Measure out enough ribbon to cover the sides and bottom portion of your Roman shade, joining the corners at right angles for a neat presentation. After keeping the ribbon in place with pins, you can adhere the fabric to the curtains with an adhesive like Yeardera fabric glue or Aleene's Fabric Fusion, both under $10. Alternatively, you could use iron-on strips like Klangfeiler hemming tape.

Where you add your trim is completely your choice — line it along the edges or opt to trim just the top or bottom of the shade. As Roman shades are sectioned, your ribbon or fabric trim should be properly adhered to each section's divider. Ensure that your ribbon goes smoothly over each fold by turning and pinching it along the slats or section dividers. It's a meticulous step, but one that will yield a seamless and polished look in both dropped or gathered positions.

When selecting your trim, seek inspiration from colors or curtain patterns that look great in a living room. Monochromes will exude a subdued, elegant look, while colorful prints will add a whimsical character to your window treatment. You can add lace for a vintage vibe, use some tweed trim for a boho-chic look, or put discarded old fabric to good use by recycling it as trim. If you want to further embellish your Roman shades, try adding a fringe to the bottom for added texture. The Yalulu pompom fringe ribbon and this gold PH PandaHall tassel trim are colorful options that will make your Roman shades stand out.