Roman Shades vs Curtains: Which Is Best For Staging & Selling A Home?

When you’re staging a home for sale, less is usually more, and that includes your window treatments. In most cases, we recommend removing curtains, drapes, or blinds altogether. Why? Because they’re often heavy, outdated, or too taste-specific, and buyers tend to see them as “one more thing to replace.” Bare windows let in maximum light, highlight the view, and give your home that fresh, move-in ready vibe buyers love.

But here’s the twist: sometimes window treatments do work in your favor. The right choice, like simple roman shades or well-placed curtains, can soften a space, add height, or provide a polished finish that helps your home stand out. The trick is knowing when to strip them down and when to dress them up.

That’s where the big question comes in: roman blinds vs. curtains. Which window treatment (if any) actually helps sell your home faster? Let’s break down when each one earns its keep in staging.

What Makes Roman Shades Appealing to Buyers

Roman shades (sometimes called roman blinds) have been staging darlings for years — and for good reason! They’re like the crisp button-down shirt of window coverings: clean, classic, and always in style.

Here’s why buyers love them:

1. Sleek, Streamlined Look

Roman shades fit neatly inside or just outside the window frame, which means no bulky fabric puddling on the floor or swaying in the HVAC breeze. They’re perfect for smaller spaces or rooms where you want a minimalist vibe. In staging, where less is usually more, this sleek profile can be a big win.

2. Light Control Without Clutter

Unlike blinds that scream “I belong in a rental!” roman shades provide soft, elegant light diffusion. Buyers walking through in the middle of the afternoon won’t have to squint through slatted shadows. Instead, they see a warm, filtered glow that makes rooms feel cozy and welcoming.

3. High-End Appeal

Roman shades tend to read as more custom and expensive (even if they aren’t). A neutral linen roman shade says, “I care about quality and detail,” which translates into buyers perceiving your entire home as more upscale. That perception can nudge offers higher.

4. Easy Pairing

If you’re going for a modern, transitional, or even coastal look, romans play well with others. They can stand alone for clean lines, or you can layer them with stationary curtain panels for added drama. It’s like staging with jewelry: you can keep it simple or go layered glam.

Pro Stager Tip: Stick to light, neutral fabrics—think ivory, soft gray, or pale taupe. These shades let your walls and natural light do the heavy lifting without competing for attention.

Photo by Westlake Development Group, LLC – Search bedroom design ideas

Why Curtains Can Be More Versatile for Staging Different Styles

If roman shades are the button-down, curtains are the little black dress: versatile, dramatic, and capable of transforming an entire room with a simple swap of fabric.

Here’s why curtains deserve your consideration:

1. Drama and Height

Hanging curtains high and wide instantly makes windows (and rooms) feel larger. Buyers may not consciously register why the living room feels so airy, but they’ll remember how impressive it felt. That’s staging gold.

2. Endless Styles

Velvet panels for traditional elegance. Breezy sheers for a coastal bungalow. Crisp linen for modern farmhouse charm. Curtains allow you to match nearly any design style, making them a versatile tool in your staging toolkit.

3. Warmth and Softness

Curtains add texture, movement, and softness, especially important in rooms with lots of hard surfaces like wood floors, stone fireplaces, or modern cabinetry. Buyers crave balance, and curtains provide it.

4. Budget-Friendly Impact

Unlike custom roman shades, curtains can be cost-effective to source and install. Even inexpensive panels from a big-box store can look luxurious if you use the right tricks (hang them high, avoid skimpy widths, and steam out wrinkles).

Pro Stager Tip: Always choose solid colors or subtle textures for staging. Bold patterns might be your personal jam, but they’re buyer kryptonite. Your goal is to help buyers imagine their furniture, not distract them with your personality.

Photo by Hughes Design Associates – More dining room photos

Which Window Treatments Work Best for Specific Rooms

When it comes to staging, not all rooms are created equal, and neither are their window treatments. Here’s a room-by-room breakdown of which window treatment generally works best for each room when it comes to staging a house for sale:

Room	Best Choice	Why It Wins
Living Room	Curtains (often layered)	Adds grandeur, frames light, elevates perceived ceiling height.
Bedroom	Roman shades (blackout lining)	Tailored serenity with functional sleep appeal.
Dining Room	Curtains	Evokes ambiance and elegance. Buyers feel the dinner parties already!
Kitchen	Roman shades	Sleek, easy to clean, won’t interfere with cooking zones.
Bathroom	Roman shades (moisture-friendly)	Compact and private; great for small, humid rooms.
Home Office	Roman shades	Professional, polished, and glare-minimizing. Buyers love that thought-out feel.

How to Choose Colors and Fabrics That Appeal to the Most Buyers

Here’s where many sellers stumble: picking the right color and fabric. You may adore your jewel-toned velvet drapes, but buyers? Not so much. Staging is about broad appeal, not personal expression.

Stick to Neutrals

Soft whites, warm grays, and light beiges are universally flattering. They make rooms feel larger, brighter, and more modern. According to Zillow’s report on design trends, neutral finishes consistently correlated with higher selling prices.

Avoid Heavy Patterns

Bold florals, stripes, or geometrics might scare buyers into thinking your home is “too much work” to update. Solid fabrics read timeless and fresh. If you must have texture, opt for subtle weaves like linen or herringbone.

Choose the Right Fabric Weight

• Lightweight fabrics (linen, cotton, sheers) = airy, casual, and perfect for smaller rooms or modern styles.
  
• Medium to heavy fabrics (velvet, wool blends) = formal, dramatic, and ideal for dining rooms or primary bedrooms.

Prioritize Light

Remember: buyers love natural light. Heavy drapery that blocks it is staging sabotage. Always opt for treatments that filter or frame light rather than smother it.

Pro Stager Tip: Hold fabric swatches up to your windows at different times of day. If they dull the light or cast strange tones (hello, green drapes that make skin look sickly), swap them out.

Photo by Chalet – More bedroom ideas

So… Roman Shades or Curtains?

For most homes, the safest staging strategy is to keep window treatments minimal or remove them entirely. More light, cleaner lines, and fewer distractions almost always make a home feel bigger and more appealing to buyers. But in certain rooms, the right window treatment can tip the scales in your favor.

• Roman shades shine in spaces where function and polish matter, like bedrooms, home offices, and kitchens.
  
• Curtains add drama and warmth in living and dining rooms, where buyers respond to a sense of comfort and elegance.

The takeaway? Don’t keep window treatments just because you already have them, and don’t add them just to decorate. Use them strategically, only when they enhance your home’s appeal to more buyers. Staging isn’t about your personal style; it’s about maximizing demand. And when it comes to blinds vs. curtains, knowing when to leave them off (and when to layer them on) could mean the difference between a “just okay” showing and a “wow, this is the one” moment.

Ready to Make Buyers Fall in Love?

Window treatments are just one piece of the staging puzzle. At Three Bears Home Staging, we help you create spaces that sell fast and for top dollar.

Schedule your online home staging consultation today!