The Case for Roman Shades: Why This Designer Window Treatment Is Worth Reconsidering

Neither as minimal as roller shades nor as expressive as full drapery, the silhouette occupies a middle ground of softness with structure.

The Case for Roman Shades: Why This Designer Window Treatment Is Worth Reconsidering

Neither as minimal as roller shades nor as expressive as full drapery, the silhouette occupies a middle ground of softness with structure.

The elegance of Roman shades has long made them a designer staple, but for many homeowners, committing to the style can feel daunting given the precise measurements and long lead times required to bring the look to life.

The direct-to-consumer drapery brand TWOPAGES aims to reframe the category—not just in how they look, but how they’re specified, ordered, and installed—streamlining a traditionally showroom-driven process into a more accessible model. 

The brand’s origins are telling. Founder Ray Chen started TWOPAGES after running into the same friction that stumps many homeowners when it comes to drapery: opaque pricing, confusing customization menus, and steep markups. His solution was to strip the process down to its essentials, with a drapery company centered around made-to-measure craftsmanship, an intuitive ordering model, and clear pricing. More than 600,000 household transformations later, it’s clear he wasn’t the only one who was looking for personalized window solutions that are as simple to shop as they are to live with. 

With the intimidation factor (and designer price tag) removed, the classic Roman shades warrant a second look for your next window upgrade.

They’re made to fit

Rather than positioning customization as a premium upgrade, TWOPAGES treats made-to-order as the default. Their Roman shades can be configured across a range of fold styles and lift systems, with each piece tailored to the exact dimensions of the intended window. 

For instance, the stylishly slubby Liz linen or the rich mid-weight Jawara—two of TWOPAGES’ best-selling collections—are available in a wide range of colors, all customizable to suit your specific vision. The process offers the ability to calibrate light, privacy, and proportion, so the shades feel fully integrated into the architecture of a room.

The soft curve design shown here features a relaxed silhouette with upturned sides for added visual charm.

The soft curve design shown here features a relaxed silhouette with upturned sides for added visual charm.

Courtesy of TWOPAGES

Shop the Look

Custom Front Slat Roman Shade Cordless

Custom Front Slat Roman Shade features crisp lines and a cordless design for a clean, safe, and modern look—fully customizable to fit your style. Pair it with our fabric collections, including the popular TWOPAGES Liz Linen, to bring natural texture and timeless elegance.

Custom Front Slat Roman Shade Cordless

Custom Front Slat Roman Shade features crisp lines and a cordless design for a clean, safe, and modern look—fully customizable to fit your style. Pair it with our fabric collections, including the popular TWOPAGES Liz Linen, to bring natural texture and timeless elegance.

Custom Relaxed Roman Shades Cord Lift

Gently arches in the center when raised, creating a relaxed silhouette with upturned sides for added visual charm.

They’re not a monolith

The collection features 13 fold styles, 10 lift types, 18 curated collections, and more than 200 color options to be exact. Some designs are clean and structured with tailored folds, while others take a softer approach. Their Relaxed Roman shades, for example, feature a slight curve at the hem, diffusing light in a way that works especially well in bedrooms and living areas. Other designs highlight function, with motorized options or no-drill installations that prioritize ease, flexibility, and everyday use.

The flat fold design allows for a sleek, contemporary look.

The flat fold design allows for a sleek, contemporary look.

Courtesy of TWOPAGES

Shop the Look

Jawara Linen Cotton Roman Shade Cord Lift

Crafted from a premium linen-cotton blend, this Roman shade offers a soft texture and natural drape—bringing effortless comfort and elegance to your window space.

Motorized Roman Shade Cordless

TWOPAGES Motorized Roman Shade - honored to be included in the ASID 2025 Fall Design Product Guide. The Motorized Roman Shade offers wireless remote control, allowing you to open, close, or adjust multiple shades with ease. No matter where you are in your home, enjoy seamless control over light and privacy—no reaching or pulling required.

Custom Linen No-Drill Flat Fold Roman Shade Cordless

Transform your windows with our luxurious Liz No Drill Flat Fold Roman Shade Cordless. Elevate your space with elegant, tasteful style and premium functionality.

They’re surprisingly pragmatic

Though they may look fussy, the innovations in Roman shades make them easy to adopt in your home. TWOPAGES’ aforementioned no-drill installation options sidestep one of the most persistent barriers to upgrading window treatments, particularly in rental spaces. Integrated, motorized shade options, meanwhile, operate almost invisibly (no wrestling with cords required).

For renters and anyone who would rather not commit to drilling into walls or window frames, TWOPAGES’ No-Drill Roman shades deserve a particular callout. The mounting system installs in minutes without tools, leaving walls and frames completely intact—a meaningful distinction for anyone living in apartments, dorms, or temporary spaces where security deposits loom large. These shades hold firmly in place for everyday use, but can be removed and repositioned just as easily without visual compromise. 

The motorized shades are operated with a wireless remote control, allowing you to open, close, or adjust your shades easily.

The motorized shades are operated with a wireless remote control, allowing you to open, close, or adjust your shades easily.

Courtesy of TWOPAGES

See the full story on Dwell.com: The Case for Roman Shades: Why This Designer Window Treatment Is Worth Reconsidering
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