The History of Roman Blinds

Rome, Italy, enjoys a warm, dry Mediterranean climate . Before roads were paved, people traveled on dirt roads or cobblestones. Horses and carts would kick up plenty of dust and dirt particles that made their way into homes, public meeting spaces and other important structures.

This was only one problem the Ancient Roman’s faced. During Emperor Vespasian’s rule, the Roman Colosseum’s construction began. Stone carvers carved and installed stones into this great structure that would open in 80 A.D. The amount of dust created by this project would have been tremendous. People needed a way to keep their food free of the dust and stone particles. They also needed clean air to breath.

Historians believe this is the reason why roman blinds were invented. Innovative men and women began to hang damp sheets across their windows to prevent dust from coming into their homes. Not only did these sheets create a protective barrier from dust, but they also blocked the intense sunlight. With average summer highs in the mid- to upper-90s , keeping a home cool was equally important. Romans used stone or tile flooring and light outdoor wall colors in an attempt to cool a home, and roman blinds helped keep out the sun.Roman buildings, particularly those of the upper class, tended to be designed in rich colors, purples, bronzes, golds and reds, and quality fabrics. Romans enjoy pottery, tapestries and glasswork. With this knowledge, it is easy to imagine how the basic blinds may have become more decorative from home to home and as time progressed.

Over time, the design of Roman Blinds has vastly improved. Roman blinds now incorporate a drawstring that draws up the blinds thanks to fabric tiers that make them easier to raise and lower as needed. Some include insulation layers to block cold drafts in the winter.

Today’s Roman blinds are crafted from a varied assortment of fabrics, wood and other materials. Cloth blinds can be hard to keep clean; so many people are looking at materials such as bamboo as a pleasing alternative. Regardless, the basic principle remains the same. These clothes are placed over windows to be decorative, to reduce glaring sunlight and to keep dust from entering the home.

Blinds.