Some people are confused about what Roman shades are, because they do come in several styles. Basically, Roman shades draw up when they open into accordion pleats that are attractive enough that they often do not need to be hidden by a valance. Because they are not gathered or pleated from side to side, they present a clean, unfussy look softened by the materials used and the soft horizontal folds.

They can be made of almost any type of fabric, giving you the elegance, color, and limitless selection that only fabric provides. They can be made of woven woods, adding the distinctiveness and texture of natural materials. They can also be made of manufactured materials such as solar control shading materials.

There is variation in styles as well. The classic "hobbled" style is made with softly cascading folds from the top to the bottom of the window, even when the shade is lowered. The "flat panel" style creates a smooth appearance when the shade is closed. Some materials allow for a top-down/ bottom-up operation, allowing you privacy on the bottom half of the window when desired, while permitting you to see out of the top.

Because Roman shades do not have a lot of bulk, they lend themselves perfectly to the combining of a decorative fabric with a specialized insulating lining to create a very effective insulating Roman shade.