Furnishing fabrics, patterns, a linen look and banding are among the trends adding increasing interest to the roman blind category. While most roman blinds continue to be made in 'safe' fabrics in neutral shades, manufacturers and consumers are warming to the endless possibilities presented by introducing colour or pattern. With the colour palette moving from browns to charcoal grey, this category is enjoying a resurgence.

Bolder use of colour

Furnishings fabrics are increasingly being selected to create the potential for huge variations in roman blinds, according to The Roman Empire managing director Don Hailes. He describes the options as 'limitless' and credits them with building greater interest in the category.

"The trend this year is, without doubt, custom romans," Haile says. "People are using furnishings options, like drapery fabrics, with a lining behind. And the trend is moving a bit from minimalism. We still have a minimalist feel but it is more vibrant and colourful with textures."

Hailes tells how the newer more adventurous options add greater interest. "The new fabrics look great," he says. "We've even done bold reds. At we're currently making a small blind with a wide pink and a wide green horizontal band with contrast butterflies on the stripes. It's fantastic. There are limitless possibilities."

Hailes sees roman blinds as a definite growth segment and is pleased he decided to start making them again after quitting the segment 10 years ago. "At that time, they had gone out of fashion and hard blinds had taken over," he says. "Now, they're flying back. It's been five years since we re-introduced the product and our sales are back to where they were, if not better."

A return to pattern

Fabrics with a linen look, a pattern or banding are among the latest trends for roman blinds, according to BQ Design sales consultant Danielle Tregenza. "We're seeing lots of linen coming through as well as linen look fabrics," she says. "The benefit of a linen look is that they are made from man-made fibres that give the fabric more stability."

While patterns are returning to favour, banding is another way to introduce a second colour. "A band can be used on the base or on three sides of the roman," she says. "If they're not daring with pattern, they can add it as a border in a smaller amount. It is a way to introduce a little bit of pattern."

Tregenza confirms a lot of 'safe' fabric is still used. "A lot of people leave the bolder fabric to other accessories that can be changed more readily like bedding items or cushions," she says. "There are lots of neutrals and there is a shift to a charcoal grey palette rather than browns."

The majority of the firm's work in romans tends to be basic plain lined options, while a smaller amount are produced in a structured sheer or soft gathered sheer look. "It's a softer look than a basic sunscreen roman blind," she says.

An alternative is also a swag base roman, which is more traditional in style and not as popular as a straight base roman blind. "But it's nice if someone wants a softer look, a mix of a contemporary and classic feel," she says. "And we also doing more work in motorisation and that will continue to grow."

In most instances, the firm's clients supply the fabric for custom romans. But Tregenza notes that the company provides a 'home' range of fabrics with a casual appearance that offer a cost effective option. "They lend themselves to a beachy look depending on the fabric, but they are cost effective because they come back coated with a lining," she says. "For someone on a smaller budget, we can offer the home range and the client can supply another fabric for the border or a band to make it more personal. And we can add that as a trim."