Install your Roman blinds first. Position your curtain pole above your window and extend it beyond the sides where there is room for your curtains to gather. Check that the pole sits far enough forward for the back of your curtains to clear the headrail and folds as your blinds move.
These steps should work for most windows. If you have a shallow window recess, outside-mounted blinds or a rented property where you cannot drill, then you’ll need to adapt these steps.
Below we have covered these scenarios, including how to measure, a clearance example and solutions to common mistakes which can cause your window to appear cluttered or off centre.
Choosing the right method for your Roman Shades
If you already have Roman blinds then start by checking how far your blinds stick out. This will determine whether your current pole will work, or if you need deeper brackets or a track.
| Window setup | Curtain hardware to consider | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Inside-mounted shade in a deep recess | Standard wall-mounted rod | Whether the folds, bottom rail, or handle project past the trim |
| Outside-mounted shade or bulky headrail | Adjustable projection brackets or a ceiling track | Whether the back of the curtain heading clears the shade at every height |
| Shade mounted close to the ceiling | Ceiling track positioned in front of the shade | Whether the ceiling can support the hardware and there’s room to release the shade for cleaning |
| Limited wall space on one side | One-way draw or a stationary side panel | Whether the gathered curtain blocks the glass, shade controls, or window opening |
| Rental with drilling restrictions | Separate tension rod, if the recess allows | Whether the mounting surfaces, available depth, rod span, and curtain weight suit the hardware |
Internal Mounted
Ensure you know the minimum insertion depth your blinds require from the manufacturer. Check if there are any latches or handles which may interfere.
External Mounted
If you are adding curtains over the blinds then ensure there is enough wall space above your headrail and the curtain fabric sits far enough forward to clear the blinds. Raising the pole can give you more room to position the brackets, but you still need enough depth for your fabric to not interfere with the blinds.
How much clearance do I need between my Roman Shades and Curtains?
The amount of clearance you need will depend on how much clearance your blinds and curtains require to move. We can work this out using the following three measurements.
1. Measure how far your Roman Blind sticks out
Stand next to your window and use the mounting area of your curtain brackets (the wall or trim) as your reference point. Measure directly out from that surface to the furthest part of your blinds. This could be your headrail, folds or bottom rail/handle.
Ensure you measure with your blinds fully extended, halfway and fully retracted. Observe how much they move. If you struggle to see what part sticks out the most then place a straight edge vertically next to the blinds to help you. Take the largest measurement.
2. Work out where your curtain will be hanging
Check how your hardware measures. If it only goes to the centre of your pole then your curtain may not be as far away from your window. Grommet curtains can fold behind the pole.
Place a section of your actual curtain on a ring, glider or short section of your pole in the desired position. Measure from your wall or trim to the closest part of your fabric. Ensure you measure with your fabric fully extended and loosely gathered.
| What you measure | Illustrative example |
|---|---|
| Wall to the farthest point of the Roman shade | 2½ inches |
| Same wall to the back of the curtain heading | 3¼ inches |
| Gap between the shade and curtain | ¾ inch |
This is just an example. Ensure your curtain can easily move over the blinds without touching, lifting or pulling on the folds. Check with your curtain gathered and your blinds at various heights. If your curtains are touching then move them further into the room and try again.
3. Allow for gathering on the sides of your curtains
You’ll need to allow some stackback for your open curtains. If you want your entire window to show then your gathered fabric needs to have enough space. The stackback can be greater with thick linings and deep folds. Manually gather your panel to get an idea of how wide it will be.
Check how much usable pole you have on either side of your blinds. Finials will increase the total pole size. Ensure your curtain has enough usable pole to move and gather. If your window is near a corner then consider using a one way pole so your curtain gathers on the side with more wall space.
Step by Step Guide- How to Hang Curtains With Roman Shades
- Fit or check your Roman Shades. If you are starting from scratch then follow the instructions to fit your blinds. If you have them fitted already then raise and lower your blinds to see how the folds sit. If your window opens inward, check that it can swing open without hitting the blinds.
- Mark your pole or track. Ensure you have enough clearance for your heading and brackets. Mark how much usable pole you want depending on how much you want your curtains to gather. Refer to our guide to measuring for curtain poles here.
- Check for clearance. Using your chosen curtain heading place your fabric and hardware in the marked position. View from the side and check with someone raising/lowering your blinds. Ensure there is enough clearance at both ends and centre – this is particularly important if your blind handle is in the centre of your bottom rail.
- Fit your curtain hardware. Ensure you follow the instructions from your pole or track manufacturer. Ensure your pole or track can support the weight and has the correct amount of support. If you are yet to choose your panels then measure your usable pole or track and enter that measurement in our Curtain Width and Fullness Calculator to work out how wide your panels need to be. Measure how much drop you have from your heading point to your desired hem or use our Curtain Length Calculator.
- Test your window. Open and close your curtains with your blinds fully raised, halfway and fully lowered. When your curtains are open ensure you can access your blind handle/control and open your window as desired. If your blinds clip into your brackets then ensure you can access your release points.
Can I hang my curtains over my Roman Shades Without drilling?
Yes, depending on your window and hardware. If you have an internal mounted Roman blind then you can use a separate tension pole. Ensure you have enough depth in your recess for both layers of fabric. And ensure you have two suitable areas for your pole to push against. Ensure your window span and curtain weight are within the pole’s rated limits. Check there is enough clearance with your blinds fully raised and halfway.
If you are considering using a clip on headrail bracket then ensure it specifically fits the headrail of your Roman shade. Ensure it has the correct rating for your pole and curtains. Ensure it does not interfere with the blind mechanism or fabric. For more options for different window treatments then refer to our guide to hanging curtains over blinds with or without drilling.
Common Issues
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| The curtain catches only when the shade is raised | Check the folded stack from the side. Adjust the bracket depth or move the track forward within the hardware’s installation limits. |
| The open curtains still cover part of the glass | Compare the gathered panel width with the usable rod space beside the window. Extend the span if there’s room, or use a one-way draw that stacks on the wider side. |
| The curtain blocks the shade handle or control | Change where the panel gathers. If the shade has a center handle, test whether you can reach it comfortably with the curtains in their usual open position. |
| Light leaks around a blackout Roman shade | Close both layers and look for gaps at the top, sides, and center. A lined curtain with enough coverage can help reduce light coming around the shade. |
| The curtain hardware blocks shade removal | Check how the headrail releases. Leave enough room to reach the brackets and move the shade in the direction required by the manufacturer. |
How dark your room gets depends on how much of the window you cover. A blackout lining will stop light passing through the fabric, but light can still come through around the edges.
What Curtains Look Good With Roman Shades?
Decide which layer you will be opening/closing the most. If your blinds are providing everyday privacy then you can have static panels to create a nice frame. If you want your curtains to provide more privacy or darken the room then choose curtain panels which will pull across your window and meet in the centre.
| Pairing | Where it works well |
|---|---|
| Privacy-lined Roman shade with sheer curtains | A living room where you want soft daylight with the shade raised and privacy when it’s lowered |
| Room-darkening Roman shade with lined curtains | A bedroom where the outer layer can help cover light gaps around the shade |
| Patterned Roman shade with plain side panels | A room where the shade is the main feature and the curtains are mainly decorative |
And if you are pairing two heavy fabrics together then check your window with both open. Your blinds will gather at the top and your curtains will gather on the side. This can make a small window look busy.
FAQs
Yes, as long as there is enough clearance for your blinds to move and for you to access your controls. Place your blinds/bracket template in position and check how far your headrail and raised folds will stick out. If you have both layers already and they are touching then check if your pole manufacturer has brackets that fit your pole and offer more projection.
Yes, as long as your ceiling can support the track and your hanging fabric does not interfere with your blinds. Ensure there is enough clearance between the back of your heading and the furthest part of your blinds. Ensure there is enough clearance to access your headrail release if your blinds need to be removed for cleaning.
If you have more on the other side then consider using a one way pole. This will cause your open curtains to gather on the other side. Ensure your track/pole can accommodate this. Ensure your gathered panel doesn’t cause any issues with accessing your blinds. If your blinds are providing privacy and light control then a static panel on the larger side may be enough.
They can do. The folds will alternate between the front and back of the pole. How far they extend depends on how your curtain gathers. Place a section of your actual panel on your pole and view from the side.
Roman blinds typically use their own headrail and brackets. You’ll just need a single pole or track. If you want two layers of curtain in front of your blinds then a double pole will be useful. This would be for example sheers and lined drapes. Ensure you check your inner curtain for clearance.