Scarf Valance Best Buys and Ideas
As window valances go, a scarf valance is the easiest kind to hang or make. It is simply a length of fabric, hung over a drapery pole in an elegant and stylish way, which is then secured to keep it in place.
You will find most scarf valances are made of sheer or very light materials such as voile or muslin as these have superior draping qualities. A window scarf valance like this is generally cheap to buy and is not worth making. You would probably find that the fabric would cost more than a ready made sheer valance. It is only when you are looking at much more elaborate valances that you can save huge amounts by making them yourself.
You can also improvise quite a bit without having to do as much as get your sewing machine out. If you find sheer or fine curtain panels which you like, but which don’t have a matching valance, buy an additional long curtain panel and use that as a matching top treatment for your window.
Brylane Home Scarf Valance (CLICK IMAGE for AVAILABLE COLORS)
How to Hang a Scarf Valance
Hanging scarf valances is actually very simple, although it may take a bit of experimentation to get the exact effect you want with your window treatment. To hang a scarf valance you need a pole or drapery rod, fixed a few inches above the top of the window, extending two or three inches beyond the window on each side or valance holders or rings which are fixed where the ends of the pole would be.
If you don’t already have a length of fabric you want to use as a valance scarf, experiment with a piece of twine or a spare piece of fabric to get the effect you want with your valance. You can then see the right length of fabric to buy for your finished scarf window valance.
Once you have your fabric, neaten the edges so that they will not fray, and then drape it over the pole with a small amount overlapping the top the window, and then loop it around the pole at the sides so you have lengths hanging part way down the side of the window (or create the same effect looping the fabric through the valance holders at the sides). You can either make these side lengths equal, or have a more asymmetric valance with one side longer than the other. Once you have a look you think you like, stand back and take a look from a distance so that you can see if it is in proportion to the window.
You can leave your window scarf valances without fixing them in place but once you have a look you like it is worth securing a valance to prevent it slipping about. All you need are a few loose stitches or a couple of pins to keep things in place. Undo these when you take your valance down to launder it. If you are worried about getting the same effect when replacing your valance, take a picture so that you can copy the look later.
How to Find the Best Scarf Valance Styles
These types of window valances are merely draped so it is very easy to copy any styles that you see. Look for pictures in interior design magazines and online (see Best Buys section below) to get the best scarf valance ideas and then just experiment with a similar piece of fabric until you get the same effect. Unfortunately, some of the look may depend on the proportions of the window you are decorating, so you may not get quite the same effect but you can have fun trying out different styles.
Best Scarf Valance Buys
You can find a lot of scarf valance window treatments at low prices right HERE. Many of the scarf valances for sale have discounts and free shipping. The pictures there will also give you some scarf valance ideas to try out.
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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) |
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) |
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.
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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.
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 Contemporary valance Set in Red or Blue Stripe (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.
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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
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 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)
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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