BASEMENT WINDOW BLINDS & ROMAN SHADES: IDEAS & TIPS

If you’ve put in the work to create a gorgeous, finished basement, you want to make sure every detail is accounted for. If you happen to be one of the lucky homeowners whose basement has windows, the final touch you may need to pull the room together is a perfect set of window treatments. And sleek roman shades to dress up your basement windows may be just what you need. So go ahead and explore the top roman shade ideas and styling tips from Spiffy Spools’ experts for inspiration!

Order custom roman shades from Spiffy Spools online in any size. Choose from over 3,000 stunning, and match your roman shades perfectly to your basement’s decor.

Roman Shades to Liven Up a Quiet Basement

Basements are cut off from the main spaces of the house and have few openings, if any, to the outside. Due to their very location, they often are dark with little inflow of natural light. Most windows, if any, in basements tend to be short windows placed close to the ceiling. And this is perhaps why so many basements continue to simply serve as storage for all spare things of the main part of the home. 

But, with some clever planning and thoughtfully-chosen furnishings, the hidden potential of basements can be unleashed, calling them to serve as an additional lounge, guest bedroom, gaming area, home office, kids’ play zone, gym, media room, dining room, karaoke room, or bar. Depending on the size of your basement, you can even zone off areas and use them for multiple purposes at the same time.

While you’re planning on such a project or in the middle of it, if you’re wondering whether roman shades are the right choice for the basement windows, let’s assure you that you can’t have been more right. Look no further and liven up your quiet basement with charming roman shades. 

Why Roman Shades for Basement Windows

Basement windows are like the tongue twisters of the design world – if you can’t get them right, they’ll end up being funny. The awkward shape, tiny scale, and inconvenient placement of these windows pose a daunting challenge for designers. 

But let these challenges not stop you from flexing your creative muscles. Small windows are an opportunity to aestheticize but call for nifty solutions. As regards roman shades, here are the top reasons our stylists love them for basement windows:

• Roman shades neither overwhelm small windows like drapes nor look bland like plastic blinds. In fact, they are just the right blend of the softness and chic of drapes and the sleekness and functionality of blinds. 
• Since most basement windows are placed close to the ceiling and tend to be short, curtain lengths often prove awkward. You may be left with the choice of either buying short curtains to match the small windows – hardly an aesthetically pleasing prospect at that height – or buying full-length drapes hanging to the floor – which is not really an economical choice for windows so short.   
• Unlike blinds that disappear into a cassette when rolled up, roman shades make their presence felt even when they are completely folded up. The stacked shade continues to dress the window and add vibrance to the space, almost like a valance. 
• Breaking down the austerity of the quiet basement, fabric roman shades can help immensely to soften the space while inviting color, pattern, and texture into the space. 
• Unlike most blinds, roman shades offer the option to choose a blackout fabric for efficient room darkening in case you’re using the basement as a media room or a spare bedroom.

So congratulations on making the right choice for your basement windows. But after the ‘what’ is answered, the ‘how’ of it remains to be seen. Read on to learn the best ideas and tips for designing your basement window roman shades.

Decide Mounting Style & Position

This is by far the most important decision you’ll have to take regarding your basement window blinds – the mounting position. Since basements have few small windows, it is important to ensure that their capacity to bring in light is used to the maximum. The mounting position has everything to do with achieving it.

You can mount the basement window blinds in either of two positions – Inside mounting or outside mounting. When the blind is mounted within the window’s recess, it is the ‘inside mounting position’. Conversely, in ‘the outside mounting position’, the shade is mounted above the window on the wall or onto the ceiling.

When you mount the blind inside the window recess, a part of the window is blocked permanently for its stacking room. That reduces the window’s capacity to bring light to the space. Since the basement windows are already very compromised in their size, we do not recommend this position.

The outside mounting position, on the other hand, gives a possibility to provide full clearance of the window. The shade will be stacked on the wall space above and the entire window will be cleared when the shade is opened. It will also make the window look larger than it is since the top trim cannot be visually discerned. Here are some stylist’s tips to get this done right:

• Mount the window blinds high enough to ensure that the stack of folds can be fully accommodated on the wall when the shade is rolled up. A slight overlapping over the window trim is good for a neat finish but a considerable drop below the trim may be avoided carefully.
• If the window is placed too close to the ceiling, making it difficult to screw the headrail to the wall, then mount the shade to the ceiling. 
• If the space between the ceiling and the window is not considerable enough to provide any stacking room, you can mount the shade inside the window frame. Only, be aware that it will take some space off the window’s opening. Alternatively, you can order roller shades that have sleek cassettes and take less space when rolled up. 
• Regardless of the position, keep the pull cords long unless you’re going for a cordless or remote-controlled shade. This is done to ensure easy access as the shades may be high up, beyond reach. 

READ MORE: OUTSIDE MOUNT VS. INSIDE MOUNT ROMAN SHADES: WHAT, WHEN & WHY

Consider Palette & Pattern

The next decision to be taken regarding your basement window blinds is regarding their aesthetic appeal. Since roman shades are made of fabric, the options for designing are limitless. Any color or pattern you imagine can be brought into the space through the roman shades. All you need to make sure of is that they add to the overall design of the space and sync with it. So, let’s consider the aspects of palette and pattern.

PALETTE

Most basements have few windows in relation to the footprint they occupy. Therefore, when designing their coverings, it is important to make sure that the little light that comes in is not blocked out. However, if the purpose that the basement serves needs room-darkening, blocking away that meager source of light is a big deal. So, factor in the purpose of the basement when deciding on the palette.

If you need light to filter into the basement even when the shades are closed, consider lighter hues and delicate fabrics. Conversely, if you want to block out light completely when the shades are down, consider darker colors and thicker fabrics for the shades and also order blackout lining.

Within this mandate, use the blinds to relay the palette with which you have designed the basement. Either feature the primary and secondary hues or tie up all the accent hues of the space. Or, if you don’t want to take such a color-driven path, consider hanging solid neutral window blinds. These will act as a wonderful backdrop for some great decor piece that needs to be anchored.

PATTERN

If you’re looking to make the basement room vibrant and fun-packed, consider adding patterned roman shades. The play of colors and shapes is eye-engaging and warms up the space. And given the slight optical real estate they occupy, even the boldest of patterns cannot overpower the space.

Go for intricate patterns with stark contrasts if you want your roman shades to woo attention. Conversely, if you want the pattern to add presence but very delicately, consider simple patterns and subtle contrasts.

If you want to bring some life and nature vibes into the basement consider colorful floral or botanical print roman shades. They can fairly compensate for the live plants which you so wish to keep here but can’t because they might not survive the closed-off ambiance. 

If designed wisely, patterned shades can also make the basement feel more spacious. If your ceilings are low, use vertical striped blinds to accentuate the height of the windows and thus elongate the space optically.

If it’s a traditionally designed formal area, consider time-tested paisleys, toiles, and damasks that are intricate, classic, and meaning-laden. Or, if it’s a modern design, consider abstract or geometric patterned shades for a contemporary feel.

There’s an endless gamut of motifs, each with its own appeal and unique ability to woo visual engagement. Select printed shades on the basis of your overall decor style and personal tastes. 

Do not forget to account for the scale of the motifs, though. Since the windows are small, the patterns need to be small or medium-scaled to ensure a proper presentation. If they are too large, they’ll be cut off abruptly at the edges, making them look awkward.

Decide on Style of Roman Shades

An important decision to make regarding window blinds is the style that you would like to go for. There are three main styles to consider:

• Flat fold roman shades with back slats: With this style, horizontal slats are stitched into the lining at back. This means that no seams or slat silhouettes are visible when closed, making these shades the perfect selection for a sleek, minimalistic look. If you plan to open and close your shades frequently, this option stacks neatly from the bottom in even panels for easy use.
• Flat fold roman shades with front slats: The defining feature of these shades is the visible slat silhouettes on the front that offer an additional element of interest. This is another great selection for frequently used windows since they also stack smoothly from the bottom in crisp folds when open. 
• Relaxed roman shades: Relaxed roman shades are a wonderful decorative option for your basement windows. The design features a smooth front fabric that’s tailored to fall into a gentle curve at the bottom. If you don’t plan to open and close your basement windows often, these shades offer an elegant way to add some style and flair to the space. 

If you want a highly functional window blind, go for one of the flat folds. Preferably, plain shades may be front-slatted to benefit from their structural pattern and patterned shades may be back-slatted to show their motifs in the best light.

If you’re looking for a decorative aspect only, go for relaxed shades that look like a swagging valance when folded up.

READ MORE: ATTIC WINDOW CURTAIN IDEAS

SHOP NOW: CUSTOM ROMAN SHADES FROM SPIFFY SPOOLS

Layer Your Basement Window Roman Shades

While we do not recommend layering for small-sized basement windows, if you happen to be lucky enough to have a semi-basement with glass doors at the stairs heading to the courtyard or garden, layering your roman shades with valances or curtains might become worth your consideration. 

Mixing and matching window treatments is a great way to obtain complete functionality and style! The overtreatment adds a luxe touch and volume to the basement area. 

Mount the shade inside the window/door’s recess and hang the second layer on the wall above the window/door. If the recess is not deep enough, mount the shade outside and account for slight projection when adding the second layer.

Layering Roman Shades with Valances

Valances are decorative pieces that cover the top of the window frame and add a charming visual element. Choose between board mounted valances and pole mounted valances based on the overall appeal you wish to forge.

If you select solid window blinds, a brilliantly patterned valance can offer counterbalance. Besides, the patterns will pull the eye upward, helping to add an illusory height to the space – a handy technique for a basement with a low ceiling.

SHOP NOW: CUSTOM WINDOW VALANCES & SWAGS FROM SPIFFY SPOOLS

Layering Roman Shades with Curtains

Curtains bring softness and sumptuousness to the design and pair beautifully with roman shades. Floor-to-ceiling curtains make the eye grasp the vertical span, thus elongating the basement visually. Choose from one of these two methods of layering curtains over roman shades:

Decorative drapes: Hang narrow stationary drapes to frame the roman shade, just for the aesthetic flair. The shades handle the functional aspect of the window treatment and the drapes seal light leaks, if any, from the sides of the window blinds.

Fully functional drapes: Hang full-width curtains over the blinds, providing two options for light control – one that opens vertically, and the other, horizontally. For room darkening, draw both layers. The double coverage guarantees the perfect ambiance for a great media experience and good sleep. Ensure a blackout lining for maximum effect.

READ MORE: LAYERING ROMAN SHADES WITH CURTAINS

Top Roman Shades & Window Blinds for Basements

Now that you’ve chosen the style of shade that will look and function best in your basement, explore our top roman shade ideas to help you design them flawlessly:

Sheer Shades

In the past, people associated basements with dark, unfinished spaces. Now, it’s much more common to transform basements into gorgeous and practical living areas. Since basement windows can be small and few, it’s important to utilize them to bring as much natural light and brightness to the room as possible. The best way to do this is with the addition of sheer roman shades. This lightweight fabric will beautifully filter incoming sunlight, providing your basement with a relaxed airiness.

Spotlight On: Cloud White

Classic and understated, our Cloud White shades will bring a breezy feel to your basement. The pure white, linen fabric will blend nicely with your current décor, offer a high-end look, and delicately diffuse natural sunlight.

Spotlight On: Bouw

Our Bouw fabric is a lovely semi-sheer option featuring a delicately embroidered vine pattern that contrasts nicely against a warm gray backdrop. The semi-sheer fabric provides you with a translucent, filtered light effect, so you can add a gorgeous glow to your basement.

Blackout Shades

If you use your basement as a media room, office, man cave, or bedroom, blackout roman shades may be a better option. Blackout shades offer a variety of benefits, such as blocking out total sunlight, reducing external sounds, regulating temperature, and assisting with screen glare. Don’t be confused by the name! Blackout shades don’t have to be drab in style. They come in a variety of unique designs to match your décor and enhance your space!

Spotlight On: Irtyu

These blue embossed blackout shades will fill your basement with luxury and class. Our Irtyu fabric is covered in a three-dimensional floral pattern that exudes regality. Both functional and fabulous, you’ll enjoy every aspect of these lovely blackout shades.

Spotlight On: London in Pink

Our London in Pink roman shades offer a modern twist on traditional florals. They feature a stunning, spring-like color palette of vibrant pinks and oranges. Although the hues are bold, the overall look is softened by the delicate, larger-than-life blooms that span across the white backdrop. Simply add blackout lining behind this fabric to make your shades room darkening. 

Order Custom Roman Shades from Spiffy Spools

We hope you’ve found the best roman shades for your basement and also got equipped with the tricks to nail the look! If you’re ready to shop, order your custom roman shades from Spiffy Spools today. We make it easy to create custom window treatments that fit your exact specifications and style, no matter what you’re looking for – narrow basement blinds or large bay window roman shades. Explore our site to find the perfect options for your basement and instructions on how to mount them, and of course – don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

READ MORE: BASEMENT WINDOW CURTAINS: IDEAS & TIPS