Before we look into the nuances of a cascade roman blind when compared to a standard roman blind, it's important to remember that both are high end window treatments. Even with a standard roman blind, you're getting a luxury soft furnishing. Roman blinds are the ideal selection for your windows when space is limited or where a minimalist style is required. If you're unsure, we've previously discussed the benefits of roman blinds when compared with made to measure curtains.
When fully extended, both cascade and roman blinds are pretty much identical, it's when they're up that the differences become really apparent. As your blinds are likely to spend a great deal of their time pulled up - it's important that you pick the right style for your decor.
What Are Standard Roman Blinds?
The folds in standard roman blinds are all the same size. This means that when the blinds are fully up the fabric stacks neatly at the top of the blind. This is ideal for when you're looking to achieve a minimalist look or when your room needs more light. Standard roman blinds let in more light than their cascade counterparts and, as such, are ideal for spaces where light is at a premium. When fitted outside the window recess, standard blinds will let in the maximum amount of light, creating a bright airy space.
Also known as a stacked style due to the folds stacking on top of one another, standard roman blinds give a much cleaner, tailored look. This type of roman blind works especially well with striped or plain roman blind fabrics such as the crisp stripes found in Studio G's Geneveive collection.
What Are Cascade Roman Blinds?
Cascade roman blinds can be considered a little more ornate than the standard, or stacked, roman blind style. Each fold in a cascade roman blind is slightly longer than the fold before it - this creates the cascade or waterfall effect as the folds hang below the one before it. When fully open a cascade roman blind will not let as much light in as the standard blind, but will work to soften a room somewhat - this can be particularly effective in a room with harsh lighting or a predominantly white colour scheme. Roman blinds smooth the edges a little and create a more homely feel.
Cascade style blinds are particularly effective in bedrooms as they work to create a warm, cosy space when compared to the clean-cut tailored finish achieved with standard roman blinds.