The Abel is a made-to-measure roman blind sold by Swift Direct Blinds, available in 12 colourways from £11.00. Its appeal lies in the combination of a warm, domestically versatile palette with a price point that keeps soft window dressings accessible to a wide range of budgets.

Who it suits

Roman blinds fold into horizontal pleats when raised, giving a softer, more layered look at the top of the window than a roller. That character suits living rooms and dining rooms where a degree of warmth and texture is welcome, and traditional or country-influenced interiors in particular.

The Abel also works in a bedroom where a fully blacked-out fabric is not required - the fold-up construction adds visual weight to the window, and the colours in this range lean domestic rather than stark. If blackout is a firm requirement, confirm the fabric's opacity with Swift Direct Blinds before ordering, as the retailer's product description should state whether a blackout lining is included or available as an option.

Roman blinds are not the natural choice for bathrooms or kitchens. The fabric construction and the cord mechanism do not handle high humidity or grease well; an aluminium venetian or a PVC-backed roller would serve those rooms better.

The colours

12 colours available

The four finishes - Rust, Oatmeal, Oyster, and Scarlet - split between two registers. Oatmeal and Oyster are quiet neutrals in the beige and cream family; they read as background dressing and complement most wall colours without competing. Rust and Scarlet are warmer and bolder - Rust is a muted earthy tone, Scarlet a stronger red. Together the palette covers the range of uses well: the neutrals for spaces where the blind should recede, and the bolder shades for rooms where a point of colour at the window is deliberate.

None of the four is a cool or grey-leaning neutral, so if the room has a predominantly grey or blue-toned scheme, the Oatmeal and Oyster may read as slightly warm. Worth checking swatches before ordering. Swift Direct Blinds typically offer a sample service, so it is worth requesting a fabric swatch in your shortlisted colour before committing to a made-to-measure order.

Price by your dimensions

Enter your window size. We round up to the next standard size, which matches how the retailer actually quotes you.

Starting from £11.00, the Abel sits at the accessible end of the made-to-measure roman blind market. As with all made-to-measure pricing, the final cost rises with width and drop - the grid above reflects how that works for common sizes, which is useful context when comparing against a ready-made alternative.

How it compares

Within roman blinds as a category, the Abel's from-price makes it competitive for anyone who wants the soft, folded look without committing to a mid-range or premium spend. The trade-off is that higher-priced roman blinds typically offer a wider choice of fabrics, weights, and lining options - thermal interlinings, blackout linings, and heavier natural-fibre constructions tend to appear further up the price range.

If the primary goal is maximum light blocking, a roller blind with a certified blackout fabric and side channels will outperform any roman blind on edge-light control. If the goal is thermal insulation, a cellular or honeycomb blind is the structured choice. The Abel is best understood as a decorative soft-furnishing option at an honest price - appropriate where warmth of style matters more than absolute performance in either of those categories.

A note on care

Polyester-based roman fabrics - the typical construction for a range at this price - respond well to occasional vacuuming with a brush attachment and spot-cleaning with a damp cloth for marks. Avoid soaking the fabric. If the Abel uses a natural-fibre or blended fabric, Swift Direct Blinds' care instructions should be followed directly, as care requirements differ from standard polyester.

Likely the same fabric, at other retailers

Abel roman blinds are sold under the same name by more than one UK retailer, and the price scales identically across window sizes - a strong sign it is the same fabric from the same supplier:

  • Make My Blinds from £9.97
  • Swift Direct Blinds this page from £11.00

We match these on the shared name and an identical price curve, not an independent inspection, so treat it as likely the same fabric rather than confirmed - and check the specification and colour at each retailer before buying.

Compare these retailers side by side →