Window Valances

The Latest Kitchen Window Valances

While you can use simple window valances in your kitchen as a top window treatment to decorate above a plain curtain or blind, for the most part kitchen window valances are part of a set with a window valance at the top of the window and cafe curtains below – so called tiered kitchen curtains. This type of window covering allows maximum privacy while still letting in plenty of light through the upper part of the window.

Tiered window valances add a level of decoration which is particularly effective in a family or country kitchen. They have a warm, welcoming feel which is in contrast to the latest contemporary kitchens with shiny surfaces and gleaming stainless steel. If you have a contemporary kitchen, limit window valances to the simple type. A kitchen window valance in plain fabric with a tabbed top can be very effective for this kind of style where any kind of frill or gathering would look out of place.

When choosing valances for kitchens, take care to buy window treatments which are easy to care for as kitchen curtains and valances need washing more than most due to the moisture and grease which floats around in a kitchen, where a lot of cooking takes place.

If your kitchen windows are small, take care not to block too much light with your valances and curtains. You don’t want your kitchen to become unnecessarily dark. One trick is to hang your kitchen valance a little above the normal position, just covering an inch or two at the top of the window, giving the impression of a slightly taller window.

Below, you will find a selection of the latest kitchen window valances to help you choose the kind of valances which are right for your kitchen. There is only space to show a few, so if you don’t see anything to your liking, take a look here for a great selection, many with discount prices.

Battenburg White Kitchen Window Valance (Click Image for Details)

Battenburg White Kitchen Window Valance (Click Image for Details)

 

The curtains shown here are sold in three parts to produce a beautiful tiered effect. There is the white kitchen valance insert, swags hanging to the sides of the valance and cafe curtains in a choice of lengths. All three are made in 100% machine washable cotton. Click here for further details.
Beautiful Tie Up Kitchen Curtain Valance (Click Image for Details)

Beautiful Tie Up Kitchen Curtain Valance (Click Image for Details)

 

Attractive garden fruit design kitchen window valance with tie up feature in easy care 52% polyester 48% cotton, fully machine washable. This would look great in a country style kitchen. There are matching bottom tiers available too in two lengths. For more information and discount Click Here.

 

 

This kitchen valance set would look great in a contemporary modern kitchen and give a smart streamlined look to your windows without frills. 100% cotton, machine washable. The set is available in two colors, red stripe pictured and blue stripe. You can get details of both here.

 
Contemporary valance Set in Red or Blue Stripe (Click Image for Details)

Contemporary valance Set in Red or Blue Stripe (Click Image for Details)
Valance Kitchen Curtains with Fun Chef Design (Click Image for Details)

Valance Kitchen Curtains with Fun Chef Design (Click Image for Details)

 

There are three parts to this set which are sold separately including the inset valance, the side swags and the cafe curtain (bottom tier) so you can choose a required. The chef design on these curtains adds a fun touch to your kitchen. Edged in black and white gingham. Made in machine washable polyester cotton. Click here for details.

 

 

Unusual three part kitchen valance set (sold separately) comprising an inner sheer white window valance, swag pair and curtain tier in 100% polyester decorated with sunflowers. For details of sizes and low prices Click Here

 
Sheer White Kitchen Window Valance with Sunflower Design (Click Image for Details)

Sheer White Kitchen Window Valance with Sunflower Design (Click Image for Details)

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Super Quick Valances for Windows

If you are looking to give your window treatments the designer touch in super quick time you can easily do this with stylish valances for your windows. Here are some of the best ideas around for quick window valances.

1. Hang a Valance Like a Banner

Create a straight or shaped banner in fabric adding three or more fabric loops to the top edge (depending on the width of the window valance). Fix three (or however many loops you have on your valance) decorative hooks or curtain boss type hold backs above the curtain rod, where you want your valance to start,  matching their position with the position of the loops. (This works best if you line the valance banner and include the loops within the top seam.)

A straight valance looks good if it is in a striped fabric running a different way from stripes in the curtains. If you want to use the same fabric as the curtains try a shaped window valance. You can make up a beautiful window valance from three or more lined triangles of fabric stitched together, with the middle triangle being longer or shorter than the triangles at the sides.

NoJo Jungle Babies Window Valance (Click Image for Details)

NoJo Jungle Babies Window Valance (Click Image for Details)

The banner shape for the valance (whatever form it takes) should be as wide as the window curtains when they are drawn back plus an inch or two. As for length, experment by creating a pattern with newspaper or old wallpaper and see what  looks right with your curtains and window before cutting your fabric.

2. Use a Scarf

Add an attractive rod above your normal curtain rail and then use a long lined piece of fabric or an actual scarf (for a small window) and drape it decoratively over the rod. This looks best if there is enough fabric to loop down over the center and to trail at the sides of the window  for a swag and tails effect. You can play with your scarf valance as much as you like until you get the right effect. If you are making your own window valances from lengths of fabric, experiment with a length of string or rope to get the right effect and length before cutting your fabric.  Once you have an effect you like, stitch (or pin) your valance in place in strategic places along the rod so that it does not slip.

3. Order Custom Valances Online

There are many sites which specialize in providing custom valance window treatments at double quick speed. You can save yourself a lot of hassle by ordering online rather than making a valance for your windows yourself and you will be surprised at how many fabrics and styles are on offer to make your windows look exactly as you would wish. Take a look at a few sites and you’ll see exactly what I mean. The custom route is also a good solution for valances for bay windows and other shaped windows as these are particularly tricky to deal with yourself in a hurry.

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The Best Valance Window Treatments

The best valance window treatments are those which suit all the following perfectly

1. the shape and style of your windows
2. the accompanying curtains or window blinds
3. the style and color scheme of your room

Get all three right when choosing your window valances for best results : you will have the most perfect of all window top treatments for your situation.

Matching Your Window valance to Your Windows

Adjust the length of your valance to suit the height of the window and of your ceiling.  A small window will look ridiculous with a huge long valance on top whereas a tall window and room will look out of proportion with a six inch valance. If you have a window with a curved top or a round window then choose a tapered valance to follow the arch of the window, although if your window is exceptionally beautiful I would hesitate to cover it with curtains and valances at all.

Matching the Color and Style of the Curtains or Blinds

If you have already chosen other window treatments then make sure that your valances go well with these. Although they don’t have to be a perfect match there should be some way of tying the two together if you use a contrasting fabric or color. For example, your valance may be trimmed with the curtain fabric or the curtains may be trimmed with a color found in the valance.

Matching the Color and Style of Your Room

If we start with the style of your room then this will have a level of formality which needs to be mirrored in the style of your window treatments. It goes without saying that formal rooms need a certain formality in accessories and window valances are no exception. A formal bedroom or lounge will look good with a tailored valance either an acsot style or neatly pleated swags and tails. Or even a covered simple shaped cornice board. If you room is less formal in style then simple scarf valance window treatments become an option.

Matching the Color of the Room

If you have yet to buy window blinds or curtains for your room then consider how you can make your valance window treatments and your curtains or blinds work together with the whole color scheme. You could pick out a color from other accessories in the room and use it in your curtains and valances in some way, either in the main fabric or trimming.

The Unexpected

Having given all these rules I have to say that while the best valance window treatments give a nod to these rules, they also have something of the unique or unexpected in them. Like  an outfit with too many matching accessories adding something to make your valances stand out will truly make them a cut above the rest. This may be a trimming or a way of hanging them, an unusual shape or a way of combining the colors in the room. Experiment a little and have fun when choosing your valances to see if you can come up with an unusual combination which works.

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