Move Over, Curtains — This “Soft Fold” Shade Is the 2026 Window Upgrade Designers Love

If you look around your room and feel like your decor is still missing something, the answer is probably window treatments. The punctuation point on any design scheme, window treatments add a soft finishing touch to a room, which ties the whole look together and cultivates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. 

While more formal drapery has seen a resurgence in recent years (think: posh pinch-pleat drapes or sweet café curtains), designers are predicting a return to effortless elegance, with one style in particular rising straight to the top of clients’ lists: relaxed Roman shades. These can run the gamut between the casual chic window treatments you see in the kitchen above by designer Rebecca Ward, which are very close to traditional Roman shades but maybe just feel a little less stiff, thanks to the fabric choice. Or, relaxed Romans can be very dramatic and swoopy, with swags of fabric and the occasional bow or trim adornment for good measure. 

With their softly curved hems, casual tailoring, and slightly billowy fabric, relaxed Roman shades toe the line between polished and lived-in, making them a great option for anyone looking to bring softness to their space without any of the stuffy formality other drapery styles can sometimes introduce. If you’re looking to shop a ready-made version, the above style from Etsy is a great place to start. 

Sometimes called “soft fold” or “European-relaxed” shades, relaxed Romans’ current popularity and resurgence aren’t just an off-the-cuff prediction. When polled for Apartment Therapy’s 2026 The State of Home Design report, this effortless style was designers’ top curtain choice, with 38% of respondents dubbing it the next “it” window treatment. 

So why all the buzz around relaxed Romans, like what you see here in this warm minimalist bedroom by designer Charli Hendler of August Black Interior Design? They likely signify a larger design shift that’s occurring, where stiff, soulless interiors are being deprioritized in favor of homes designed to feel both intentional and approachable. Not only do relaxed Roman shades bring softness to a room without the heaviness of traditional drapery, but they also suit almost any style and type of fabric, from gauzy linens to textural weaves. 

Relaxed Romans can be made to be faux (aka stationary) or functioning, too. So whether you’re looking for extra privacy or just a way to bring an added layer of texture to your space, there’s a version out there for you. 

Though relaxed Roman shades will undoubtedly get front page billing in 2026, they’re not the only drapery trend designers have their eyes on. Valances and cornices — which were once thought to be too retro or reserved for only the most formal homes — are now back, with fresh new silhouettes and creative placements that make them feel modern. 

You’ll find everything from tassel-trim valances paired with more casual chic blinds to scalloped cornices that hold court above a bed, accompanied by cocooning drapery. So whether you go bold with a shapely addition or beautifully understated with relaxed Roman shades, as seen in the living room here by designer Kevin O’ Gara of Kevin Francis Design, consider this your sign to let your window treatments steal the spotlight in 2026.