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A Roman blind is a soft-cloth-based window treatment that operates via a threaded rod. When you open the window treatment with the help of the rod, it forms neat “pleats” or panels. While most people believe that these window treatments became popular in Rome and Italy during the height of the Roman Empire, these blinds exist as popular window treatments. Roman blinds stand as an affordable option compared to the curtains.
People also call Roman blinds by other names like window shades and roman shades, and come in two well-known styles- the less-made ‘Austrian’ and the common ‘classic.’ These blinds are both stylish and insulating and stand as one of the most popular choices among homeowners.
Roman Blinds: Where it all started
Roman blinds are one of the most fashionable and popular styles of blinds available today, and at Discovery curtains, we are proud to offer you a range of Roman blind styles and systems. However, very few know that these blinds have been around us for more than 2000 years.
The Romans invented these blinds for the sake of necessity and function rather than for fashion. Back in those days, the horses and carts moving on the Roman roads kicked dust into the homes and the Colosseum through the uncovered windows. The homeowners started protecting hanged a damp cloth over the windows. The clothes protected their homes from both dust, the heat of the Mediterranean sun and kept their homes cool and clean.
What began as a necessity started getting elaborate over time. The leftover Roman relics stand as proof of time that the Romans loved decorating their homes, and blinds were no exception to the rule. Soon the damp cloth evolved into an imperative furnishing with various colors, patterns and fabrics, standing as stylish homeware. The operation of the drawstring evolved gradually. It allowed the user to lower and raise the permanent blind and offered total control over the amount of light entering the room.
Some documents state that during the turbulent time of the Roman Empire, around 70-0 AD under the Flavian Dynasty, the Romans witnessed a quick expansion and building in their capital area. The display of the power created the “Flavian Amphitheatre”- The Colosseum, which today stands as the world’s seventh wonder.
Although not proved, people theorized that the Roman blinds originated during the rapid building of the area. People started making crude blinds from animal skins and cheap bolts of clothes. It prevented the dust kick-up caused by the masons and builders entering the home. Since then, people have linked Roman blinds to the Roman Empire and popped through history as a popular window dressing.
Roman Blinds as We Know Them Today
Today, you can find Roman blinds made from a variety of fabrics. Cotton, polyester and linen are the most common and favored fabrics for these blinds. With the evolution of the cloth and dye industry and the introduction of digital designs, Roman blinds come in the widest range of colors, patterns and finishes.
The Roman blinds we see today come with insulating cotton-blended or poly-blended lining. Most Roman blinds use rods that pass from behind the blinds and come with a chain, which, when pulled, ensure neat and symmetrical pleats. When used as a layered ‘look, Roman blinds create a softer finish than most modern blinds.