Everything You Need to Know Before You Click “Add to Cart” for customized shades.
If you’ve ever stood in front of a blank window wondering, “What kind of shades do I even need?”—you’re not alone. Ordering custom Roman shades sounds simple… until you’re met with terms like inside mount vs. outside mount or cordless lift vs. corded. But don’t worry—I’ve done the research, ordered the samples, and tested out one of my favorite new finds: Neutral Curtains.
Today, I’m breaking down what you really need to know before ordering Roman shades for your space. Whether you’re ordering through their website or Amazon, here’s your step-by-step guide.
🪟 First: Mounting Options Matter
Inside Mount
This means the shade will sit inside the window frame for a clean, built-in look. It works best when you have enough depth in your window casing (typically at least 2–2.5″). It’s minimal, tailored, and modern—my go-to for most rooms.
Outside Mount
Perfect if your window frame isn’t deep enough or if you want to visually expand the size of your window. It mounts above the frame and overlaps the window slightly, helping block more light—great for bedrooms or media rooms.
🧵 Valance or No Valance?
A valance is a fabric-covered flap that hides the hardware at the top of your shade. I personally prefer a valance—it just feels a little more polished and finished. However, if you’re aiming for a minimalist look or layering with a cornice or curtain panels, skipping the valance might be the cleaner choice.
☀️ Blackout vs. Privacy Lining
This one’s a biggie and depends on your space:
- Blackout Lining: Blocks 95–100% of light. Ideal for nurseries, bedrooms, and anywhere you want complete darkness.
- Privacy Lining: Filters light but still gives you daytime coverage. Perfect for kitchens, dining areas, and bathrooms where you want a soft glow without full exposure.
Pro Tip: Even with blackout lining, light can leak around the edges—especially with inside mounts. Choose outside mount for true blackout results. Or opt to layer your window with my favorite blackout pinch pleat curtains from Amazon. Elevated and extremely effective at blocking out light!
🔗 Cord vs. Cordless
Cordless shades are safer for homes with kids and pets—and let’s be honest, they look cleaner too. Just a gentle push to raise and pull to lower. My personal pick!
Corded options offer more precise control, especially on larger windows or hard-to-reach places, but they’re not as sleek visually. It’s truly a matter of function vs. form!
For extremely high windows, you can also opt for the motorized shade option!
📏 Edge Binding: Worth It?
Edge binding is a decorative trim along the edges of your shade. It adds a subtle pop of contrast and a high-end feel. If your room is fairly neutral or monochrome, this is a beautiful way to layer in some personality.
No binding? Still gorgeous—just a little more rustic and boho.
📐 How to Measure—No Guessing!
This part trips up most people, but it doesn’t have to. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- For inside mount:
Measure the width inside the window frame and record exact measurements down to the width fraction. Do not round up or down. - For outside mount:
Measure the width you’d like to cover (typically 2–3” beyond the window frame on each side).
Height is from where you’ll mount it (above the frame) to where you want it to end.
📌 Neutral Curtains provides detailed measurement instructions for both mount types, which I recommend following.
🎨 My Favorite Colorways
One of the reasons I’m loving Neutral Curtains is because their shades come in the perfect timeless colors. My top picks:
- Beige – a warm neutral that plays well with wood tones (in lake kitchen)
- Ivory – soft and classic
- Marble White – crisp but has neutral and tans woven throughout
- Beige White – the perfect light and airy color
You can order a swatchbook from their website for just a few dollars—it’s a must if you’re a touch-and-feel kind of decision maker (like me!).
Shop My Exact Bamboo Roman Shades
🛍 Where to Order
You can shop Neutral Curtains directly from their website or find their most popular styles on Amazon.
Ready to upgrade your windows?
You don’t have to be an interior designer to make the right call on custom shades. With a little prep and the right partner brand, ordering Roman shades online can be easy—and even kind of fun.
Let me know in the comments if you try Neutral Curtains or need help picking a color! And stay tuned for more full room reveals!