Roman blinds are a design classic – often neater than curtains, and simple, clean and effective. Of course, it’s always easy to fall into the trap of assuming they’re dull, but that’s just because you’re not looking in the right places! Roman blinds are incredibly versatile, and there are tons of creative patterns out there that you can use to complement and update your home decor.

Go Bold

Think big, bold and bright. If you’re finding your room a little dull – perhaps it’s cream, beige or a lovely shade of grey – add some wow in by picking some big bold patterned blinds. Think modern art and geometric patterns. Whether it’s vibrant reds, electric blues or hot pinks, adding a splash of color to your blinds is a great way to bring color into a room without having to repaint the walls. Don’t worry about it clashing either – as long as you’re careful, clashing colors can be just as fun as matching ones. Try this color wheel for which colors you can pair together safely as opposites.

Think Floral

If you’re after a cosy, quaint look, go for a classic floral. Whether it’s tiny little flowers dotted across a pastel background, or big, blocky roses, a good floral is great for adding a homey feel to your room. If you’ve got a particularly large window, you could even get one of the on-trend patterns with some birds worked in too – but be careful with smaller spaces, because you don’t want too heavy a pattern.

Travel Time

If you’re the kind of person who loves to travel – or even just loves the idea of it – why not pick something along those lines? Old-world style maps are in fashion at the moment, and instead of trying to find space for a print of one, why not make use of that blind space you’ve got? Or, for the more modern-thinking among you, go for something particular – whether it’s a map of the world, one continent or even one city. If you can’t find blinds with the map you want in style, it’s always worth seeing if you can get the fabric printed – or for the particularly brave, try it yourself!

Cutesy

Cute isn’t just for kids. If you want elephants following each other trunk-to-tail, pink owls sitting in trees or dinosaurs stomping around, then go for it! Adding some whimsy to your room can add a hint of quirky fun. This is especially good for home offices, or other spaces where you’re starting to feel a little bit too grown up. After all, the only difference between the children’s range and the adult’s range of made to measure blinds is the name – so just ignore it!

Stripes

You can’t go wrong with stripes. If you liked the sounds of bold colors, but are a bit nervous about having the whole roman blinds that shade, then why not work it in in stripe form? Whether it’s ombre, a gradient or even just harmonious color, stripes let you play around with bright shades without the risk of it becoming too much for the eye. Vertical or horizontal can both work, though we recommend vertical if you want the window to look taller, and horizontal for wider.

Faux-Wood

If you like the idea of wooden blinds, but prefers the practicality of fabric roman blinds, then why not go for faux-wood style? Enjoy the benefits of blackout fabric and the ease of opening/closing them, with the great aesthetic of wood. From deep mahoganies to fine bamboo, there’s a print out there for everyone.

If none of these appeal to you, you can always DIY things! If you’re especially sure in your sewing skills, take some plain blinds and jazz them up – and if you’re not, you’ll be able to find someone in your area who can. This way you can pick exactly what you want – whether it’s cheeky unicorn print fabrics, classy brocades or even an elegant Japanese silk, you’ll be able to find a fun and creative print to match your decor. You could even get some fabric paint and go to town with a design all of your own invention!