What fold styles are available for Roman shades?

Three main styles: a flat fold that is crisp and modern and shows off patterned fabric; a soft or hobbled fold that keeps cascading pleats even when lowered for a fuller traditional feel; and a relaxed fold that gently curves at the bottom for a casual look. The fold affects both the mood and the amount of fabric used.

Are your Roman shades cordless and safe for children?

Yes. Starlight Shutter finishes Roman shades cordless or with motorized lift as standard. Canada's Corded Window Coverings Regulations, enforced by Health Canada since May 2022, strictly limit reachable cords on new window coverings sold in Canada, including the back cords found on older Roman blinds. As an authorised Somfy dealer, Starlight Shutter can also motorize shades for remote, app, or voice control, which removes cords entirely.

Blinds & Shades

Roman Shades in Toronto One piece of real fabric, drawn up into soft, tailored folds — colour-matched to the curtains and décor you already live with. Also called Roman blinds or Roman curtains, in designer textiles or warm natural bamboo. Custom-made and installed across Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and Milton.

Roman shades — custom fabric folds, Toronto

Soft, tailored, timeless

What are Roman shades?

Roman shades are made from a single piece of fabric that draws up into soft, even horizontal folds when raised, and lies smooth when lowered. There are no slats or vanes — just fabric — which is exactly what gives them their elegant, upholstered look.

You’ll also see them called Roman blinds or Roman curtains. All three names describe the same window covering; “shade” is simply the most accurate, since there are no slats to tilt.

Because they’re sewn from a single piece of fabric, Roman shades come in a huge range of materials — natural linen and cotton, easy-care polyester and blends, plush velvet, and natural woven bamboo. That range is what lets you colour-match and texture-match to your curtains and drapery, cushions, and furnishings, so the whole room feels designed rather than assembled. Roman shades sit naturally alongside the rest of our custom blinds & shades range.

Why Roman

The decorator’s shade

Real fabric, made to match

The only shade sewn from a single piece of decorator fabric — so the colour, pattern, and texture can follow your curtains and décor instead of fighting them.

Bamboo blinds, woven by hand

Prefer an organic look? The same shade comes in natural bamboo and grasses — often searched as bamboo blinds or woven wood shades. Warm, textural, full of character.

A fold for every room

A crisp flat fold for a modern look, a soft cascading fold for a classic feel, or a relaxed curve for something casual. The fold changes the whole mood of the window.

Cordless by default

Every shade is finished cordless or with motorized Somfy lift, meeting Canada’s corded window covering rules. Add a privacy or blackout lining for darkness and insulation.

Before you ask for a quote

What decides the price of a Roman shade

Roman shades sit above roller blinds and below full drapery on price, and the range is wide because almost everything about them is a choice. Here’s what actually moves the number, so nothing on your quote comes as a surprise.

Window size

The single biggest factor. A wide living-room or patio window uses several times the fabric and heavier hardware of a small bedroom window. Very wide openings are often split into two coordinated shades — easier to lift, and usually kinder on cost.

Fabric

Easy-care polyester and blends sit at the accessible end. Natural linen, textured weaves, velvets, and designer prints sit higher. Natural bamboo varies with the weave.

Fold style

A flat fold uses the least fabric. A soft or hobbled fold keeps cascading pleats even when lowered, which takes more material and more hand-sewing.

Lining

Unlined is lightest. A privacy lining adds daytime discretion; a blackout lining adds darkness, UV protection, and insulation — worth it in bedrooms, optional elsewhere.

Lift

Cordless is our standard. Somfy motorization costs more per shade, and less per shade the more windows you do at once, since they share a remote and hub.

Measuring & installation

Included. We measure width, height, recess depth, and mount type in person, and install the finished shade ourselves — there’s no separate installer to book or pay.

Every quote is built from your real window measurements, so we don’t publish a fixed price list. A free in-home consultation gives you exact numbers, with no obligation — and once the fabric is chosen and the windows are measured, most orders are installed within 2–4 weeks.

Choose your material

Roman shade materials

From crisp linens and cottons to plush velvets and natural bamboo, the material is what makes a Roman shade feel custom. Browse a few below, then see them against your own light and curtains during a free in-home consultation — fabric reads completely differently on a north-facing window than it does on a screen.

Roman shade fabric swatch: Bamboo S08-2026 — Bamboo S08-2026

Roman shade fabric swatch: Bamboo S08-2006 — Bamboo S08-2006

Roman shade fabric swatch: Bamboo S08-2003 — Bamboo S08-2003

Roman shade fabric swatch: Bamboo PBM-024 — Bamboo PBM-024

Roman shade fabric swatch: AMA1880-42 — AMA1880-42

Roman shade fabric swatch: AMA1880-37 — AMA1880-37

Roman shade fabric swatch: AMA1880-36 — AMA1880-36

Roman shade fabric swatch: AMA1880-15 — AMA1880-15

Roman shade fabric swatch: AMA1880-13 — AMA1880-13

Show all 9 materials Show fewer

We carry hundreds more fabrics and natural materials in our showroom — and can colour-match to curtains you already own. You’re welcome to contact us to see the full range.

Two ways to go

So many materials to choose from

From easy-care polyester to natural linen and woven bamboo, Roman shades come in dozens of materials. Broadly, they fall into two directions:

Fabrics

Match your room

Linen, cotton, polyester, velvet, and blends — sewn from a single piece of fabric
Colour- and texture-match to your curtains, cushions, and furnishings
Polyester and blends are easy-care and fade-resistant for busy rooms
Add a privacy or blackout lining for darkness, UV protection, and insulation

Bamboo & natural woven

Warm & organic

Woven from natural bamboo, reeds, and grasses — also sold as bamboo blinds or woven wood shades
Brings warmth and an organic, earthy feel to a space
Filters light into a soft, dappled glow; add a liner for more privacy or room darkening
Pairs beautifully with neutral, coastal, and biophilic interiors

Choosing between styles

Roman shades, roller blinds, or curtains?

This is the question we’re asked most often on a consultation, and the honest answer is that it depends on what the room is for. Here’s how the three compare on the things people actually notice day to day.

Fabric folds

Roman shades

The look: Soft, tailored, upholstered. Reads custom.
When raised: Fabric stacks in folds at the top, covering part of the glass.
Light & privacy: Excellent with a privacy or blackout lining.
Insulation: Good, especially lined — useful on a cold Toronto window.
Care: Dust regularly; spot-clean or professionally clean the fabric.
Best in: Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchen windows away from the sink.

Slim & simple

Roller & solar shades

The look: Clean and minimal. Almost disappears.
When raised: Rolls into a slim tube. Least glass covered.
Light & privacy: Solar screens keep the view and cut glare; blackout rollers go fully dark.
Insulation: Modest.
Care: Wipe clean. The easiest of the three.
Best in: Offices, sunny south-facing rooms, bathrooms, anywhere with a view worth keeping.

Full & flowing

Curtains & drapery

The look: Full, generous, floor-length. Makes a room feel taller.
When raised: Draws to the sides — needs wall space beyond the window.
Light & privacy: Softest light; layer with a shade for real darkness.
Insulation: Good when lined and floor-length.
Care: Vacuum with a brush head; dry-clean as needed.
Best in: Bedrooms, formal living and dining rooms, tall windows.

Many of our favourite rooms use two: a Roman shade at the glass for privacy and warmth, with curtains framing the window. See also roller & solar shades.

Recent work

Roman shades in Toronto homes

A few recent Roman shade installations across Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and Milton — in decorator fabrics, easy-care weaves, and natural bamboo.

Decorative fabric Roman shades in a styled Toronto room, soft folds coordinated with the décor — Fabric Roman shades — coordinated with the room

Soft-fold Roman shade in a Toronto kitchen — Soft fold — kitchen

Natural bamboo Roman shades in a Toronto kitchen, warm woven texture filtering daylight — Bamboo Roman shades — kitchen

Up close

See the folds in motion

What sets a Roman shade apart is the fabric itself — the way it stacks into soft, even folds as it rises, and falls smooth as it lowers. Here it is in motion on a real installation.

Good to know

Roman shade questions

What are Roman shades, and are they the same as Roman blinds or Roman curtains?

Yes — Roman shades, Roman blinds, and Roman curtains all describe the same window covering. It’s a single piece of fabric that draws up into soft horizontal folds when raised and lies smooth when lowered, with no slats or vanes. “Shade” is the most accurate term, since there are no slats to tilt, but you’ll hear all three used interchangeably.

How much do custom Roman shades cost?

The price depends on six things: window size, fabric, fold style, lining, lift type, and how many windows you’re doing at once. Size and fabric move the number most — a small bedroom window in an easy-care blend sits at one end, a wide living-room window in natural linen with a blackout lining and motorization at the other. Measuring and installation are included in what we quote. Because every shade is made to a measured window, we quote from real dimensions rather than a price list; a free in-home consultation gets you exact numbers with no obligation.

Roman shades or roller blinds — which should I choose?

Choose Roman shades when you want the window to look designed: soft fabric folds, better insulation, and a colour you can match to your curtains. Choose roller or solar shades when you want the window to disappear: a slim roll, the easiest cleaning, and the most glass left uncovered when open. The practical trade-off is that a raised Roman shade stacks fabric across the top of the glass, while a roller almost vanishes. In sunny south-facing rooms where you want to keep the view, a solar shade often wins; in living and dining rooms, the Roman usually does.

Roman shades or curtains — or both?

Both, if the window allows it. Roman shades sit tight to the glass and do the practical work of privacy, glare, and warmth; curtains hang beyond the frame and add height, softness, and fullness. Layering the two is the most common request we get for living rooms and principal bedrooms. If you’re choosing one, Roman shades suit smaller rooms and windows with a radiator, a countertop, or furniture directly underneath, where floor-length drapery won’t hang cleanly.

Can Roman shades match my curtains and décor?

Yes — this is what sets Roman shades apart. They’re the only style sewn from a single piece of fabric — linen, cotton, polyester, velvet, and more — so the colour, pattern, and texture can be coordinated with your curtains and drapery, cushions, and furnishings. We can also match fabrics you already own; bring a cushion cover or a curtain sample to the consultation and we’ll work from it.

Do you offer bamboo Roman shades?

We do. Alongside fabric, Roman shades can be woven from natural bamboo, reeds, and grasses — often sold as bamboo blinds or woven wood shades. They add warmth and organic texture, filter daylight into a soft dappled glow, and can take a privacy or blackout liner when you want more coverage. They’re a favourite in kitchens, sunrooms, and rooms with a lot of wood and neutral tone.

What fold styles are available?

Three main styles. A flat fold is crisp and modern and shows off patterned fabric best. A soft or hobbled fold keeps cascading pleats even when the shade is lowered, for a fuller, more traditional feel. A relaxed fold gently curves at the bottom for a casual, coastal look. The fold changes both the mood and the amount of fabric used, so we’ll recommend one based on your fabric, window size, and room.

Can Roman shades be blackout or room-darkening?

Yes. A room-darkening or blackout lining sits behind the fabric and blocks the light coming through it — ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms. It also adds UV protection for your furniture and floors, plus a useful layer of insulation in winter. For the darkest possible result, ask about an outside mount, which overlaps the window frame and closes off the light gaps at the sides.

Are your Roman shades cordless? Are they safe for children?

Yes. We finish Roman shades cordless or with motorized lift as standard. Canada’s Corded Window Coverings Regulations, enforced by Health Canada since May 2022, strictly limit reachable cords on new window coverings sold here — and the back cords found on older Roman blinds are exactly what those rules address. As an authorised Somfy dealer, we can also motorize your shades for remote, app, or voice control, which removes cords entirely and is the safest choice for a child’s room.

Inside mount or outside mount — which is better?

An inside mount sits within the window recess for a clean, built-in look, and needs enough depth for the headrail — we check this when we measure. An outside mount fixes above and beyond the opening, which hides an out-of-square frame, makes a small window look larger, and blocks side light much better for bedrooms. If your window is shallow, has handles or cranks in the way, or you want maximum darkness, outside mount is usually the answer.

Do Roman shades work in kitchens and bathrooms?

In kitchens, yes — with the right fabric. Choose an easy-care polyester or blend rather than delicate linen, and keep the shade away from the range and the sink splash zone. Natural bamboo also does well in kitchens. For bathrooms and anywhere with steady steam, a roller or solar shade is the more practical choice, since fabric folds hold moisture.

How do I clean and care for Roman shades?

Dust them regularly with a vacuum brush attachment, working from the top fold down, and spot-clean marks with a fabric-safe cleaner. Most decorator fabrics are spot-clean only, so avoid soaking them — for a deeper clean, professional cleaning protects the shape and stops the fabric shrinking. Bamboo shades just need dusting or a light vacuum. We’ll leave you the care instructions for your specific fabric at installation.

How long does it take from consultation to installation?

Two to four weeks in most cases. The clock starts once you’ve chosen your fabric and we’ve measured your windows — your shades are then cut and sewn to those exact dimensions, and we book the installation with you. Larger whole-home projects, specialty fabrics, and motorized orders can sit at the longer end. If you’re working towards a specific date, tell us at the consultation and we’ll be straight with you about whether it’s comfortable.

Are your Roman shades custom-made?

Every Roman shade is custom-manufactured to your exact window. We measure width, height, recess depth, and mount type in person, then tailor the fabric, fold style, and lining so the shade hangs cleanly and stacks evenly — something off-the-shelf sizes rarely manage. Installation is done by our own team, not a subcontractor.

Ready to transform your windows?

We’d love to visit your home and help you find the window treatments that feel exactly right — with no pressure and no commitment.

Book Your Free In-Home Consultation →

or call us at (416) 346-7989

Custom Roman shades in Toronto

Starlight Shutter Inc. designs, manufactures, and installs custom, made-to-measure Roman shades — also called Roman blinds or Roman curtains — across Toronto, including Scarborough and North York, plus Mississauga, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and Milton. As the only shade sewn from a single piece of decorator fabric, Roman shades let you colour- and texture-match to your curtains and décor, in linens, cottons, polyesters and easy-care blends, textured weaves, velvets, and natural bamboo. Choose flat, soft, or relaxed folds, add a privacy or blackout lining, and finish cordless or with motorized Somfy lift. Visit our Scarborough showroom at 3781 Victoria Park Avenue or our Mississauga location to feel the fabrics in person. Explore the rest of our custom blinds & shades collection, including triple sheer shades, zebra blinds, roller blinds & solar shades, and insulating cellular shades. Pair your Roman shades with custom drapes & curtains or California shutters, or learn more about motorized window treatments.