Roman Blind Types: Flat, Cascade, Hobbled & Relaxed Explained

The Four Main Roman Blind Styles

All roman blinds share the same mechanism: cords run up the back through rings and gather the fabric when the blind is raised. The difference between styles is how the fabric behaves — when down, when raised, and how it looks in each state.

1. Flat Roman Blind

Appearance when down: Completely smooth and flat — no visible folds or texture. The face fabric lies flat against the window.

Appearance when raised: Clean, crisp horizontal folds stack at the top of the window.

Fabric needed: Base calculation — 2× fold depth per fold (least fabric of all roman styles).

Best for: Clean, contemporary interiors. Woven or textured fabrics where the pattern should be visible without interruption. Minimalist rooms.

Hardware required: Wooden batten, ring tape or individual rings, cords, cord lock / cleat, rods.

Construction notes: Rods are inserted in pockets on the back of the blind at each fold line. When raised, the rods stack horizontally behind the blind face.

2. Cascade / Hobbled Roman Blind

Appearance when down: The fabric hangs in permanent horizontal loops (cascades) even when the blind is fully lowered. These loops are a deliberate design feature.

Appearance when raised: The loops gather and stack more densely at the top — appearing as a thick, layered stack.

Fabric needed: 3× fold depth per fold (50% more extra fabric per fold than flat).

Best for: Traditional and romantic interiors. Bedrooms where a softer, more textured look is preferred. Fabrics with good drape (linen, cotton sateen). See Best Fabrics for Roman Blinds for drape and weight guide. For the cascade-specific fabric formula, see How to Calculate Cascade Roman Blind Fabric.

Construction notes: The folds are sewn into the blind permanently — they hang regardless of blind position. The construction is otherwise identical to flat — the additional fabric creates the loops.

3. Relaxed Roman Blind

Appearance when down: Hangs with a gentle curve at the bottom — the centre of the blind dips slightly below the sides, creating a soft swag effect.

Appearance when raised: Gathers informally in soft folds — less structured than flat roman.

Fabric needed: Similar to flat roman, but typically 1–2 folds fewer (drop divided into fewer, deeper sections).

Best for: Cottage, country, and casual interiors. Kitchens and informal sitting rooms. Any space where a structured look feels too formal.

Construction notes: The curve at the bottom comes from the cord placement — cords run only at the sides, not in the centre of the blind. The centre fabric hangs free and curves naturally.

4. London Blind (Inverted Pleat)

Appearance when down: Like a flat roman but with two decorative inverted pleats stitched into the lower portion. The pleats fan out at the bottom.

Appearance when raised: Gathers at the top with the pleats folding in as the blind rises.

Fabric needed: Flat fabric + extra for pleats (typically 15–25 cm / 6–10” per pleat, depending on pleat depth and width).

Best for: Formal sitting rooms, bay windows. Adds a tailored, architectural detail.

Style vs Fabric Requirement Comparison

Bold = most common choice for DIY projects.

Hardware Required (All Styles)

Use the Roman Blind Calculator to calculate fabric for any of these styles.

See also: Roman Blind Fabric Formula and How to Calculate Cascade Roman Blind Fabric.