How to Choose Window Valances
Window valances are great for dressing up plain curtains and blinds or even bare windows. You may have been inspired to think about decorating with these window treatments after seeing a great valance in someone’s home or in a decorating magazine but when it comes to finding the right valance for your own windows in a particular room it can be a difficult choice. What you see in that great picture is unlikely to be right for YOUR windows but you can still find a valance which will add style to your home.
1. Set a Budget
Think about how much you are willing to spend on your window valance and remember you will need drapery hardware too. While cheap window valances will not do much to enhance your room décor you don’t have to go overboard with designer draperies to have a beautiful home either. If you’re not sure about how much valances cost do a little research on prices online to get an idea so that you don’t get a shock when you go shopping.
2. Measure Your Windows
If you already have drapery rods in place then take a length measurement from these otherwise measure the width of your windows and add between 4 and 6 inches to the width depending where you want the rods to extend on each side of the window.
Simple Cream Swag Valance
3. Think about Styles
Valance window treatments come in so many styles from a simple curtain topper with pinch pleated heading to the fanciest set of swags and tails but the most important thing is that the valance you choose fits in with the style and theme of the room you have in mind. Is your room a boudoir fit for a princess or a formal dining room you will use for dinner parties? Are you looking to decorate a country kitchen window or a chic city bathroom? Always think about whether each particular style you are considering matches the room style or confuses it.
4. Think about Fabrics
Fabrics need to meet the following criteria
- does the fabric drape well or could it be pressed into crisp folds depending on the style of the valance
- is the fabric weight similar to the weight of the curtain fabric if relevant (if you think about light cotton curtains being topped by heavy velvet valances or heavy velvet drapes being topped by a sheer scarf valance you’ll see what I mean about weights needing to match)
- is the fabric design and color in keeping with the color and design of the curtains and the color and design of the room. You may want to choose the same fabric for your curtains and valance (perhaps with a contrast lining) to make life easy!
5. Go Browsing
Once you have an idea of your requirements browse around online to get some options. You may find just what you are looking for in ready made valances but you will find many more options if you look at custom valances for the windows. If you have not yet chosen curtains you may be able to buy coordinating drapes or shades and valances together. And if you are still not sure which to buy see our buying checklist so that you can weigh up the various options.
6. Place Your Order
Once you are happy with your choice place your order and wait for your purchase to arrive in the mail!
Window Valances FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How Do I measure for Window Valances
When measuring for window valances always use a steel measuring tape and measure the drapery rod on which the valance will hang rather than the window.
You need two measurements for this
a) the length of the drapery rod
b) the projection of the drapery rod from the wall
Some window valances are mounted on a cornice board in which case measure the width of the board to get the right size for your window treatment
Once you know the size of your valance you can see whether you can order ready made valances for the windows or whether you should start thinking about custom valances.
Cream valance and matching curtain panel
How long should the Window Valance be?
It depends on the style of the valance window treatment to some extent with some draperies extending further down the windows than others especially when you consider the “tails” of a swag and tail arrangement. The most important thing is that valances and draperies look in proportion to the size of the window they are hanging over.
If you’re not sure how to get the proportions right, you can experiment a bit with this. Obviously it’s not easy to try out different valance window treatments for size but you can use a length of lining fabric or similar to get an idea.
Or you can work it out on paper. To do this draw a picture of your window to scale (showing the height of the walls and the position of the window on the wall too) and then sketch in an appropriate valance shape. You can then see the right length of valance for your window to keep things nicely in proportion (and see how terribly out of proportion some shapes would be).
What fabrics are suitable for valances?
If you are talking about standard drapery type valances then any material which drapes is OK! Of course, the style of your window and your curtain fabric matters too.
You may want matching valance in which case use the same fabric as your curtains or you may want a coordinating valance in which case use the same type of fabric or at least the same weight. The same goes for the valance lining – some of which will be on display with some styles.
If you are hanging a valance over a window without curtains – for instance to make a bare window or window with blinds more decorative – then you have more choice in fabric but you still want to stay within the general theme of the room decor – is it formal or country? Victorian or contemporary?
Ascot valances can use a stiffer fabric due to their geometric shapes. You may also want to consider a window cornice instead of window valances in which case stiffer fabrics are also fine – in fact you will need to stiffen whatever fabric you use for this purpose with buckram.
Window Valances Online
Welcome to Window Valances Online!
If you not sure exactly what window valances are they are those purely ornamental draperies covering the top of the window frame. They can enhance your windows in a number of ways.
1. Drawing Attention to Your Windows
If your windows themselves are beautiful or you have a fine view a window valance will draw attention to it without blocking the window or a lot of light from your line of vision.
2. Adding Sophistication to Plain Curtains
If you would like a formal look but your curtains are quite plain with standard unimaginative headings you can top your curtains with a valance window treatment
Valance pretties up the blind
3. Softening Blinds
Roller blinds or shades may be a practical solution but they are more minimalist than country or cosy. If you want a softer more formal or cosy look add valances to the top of your windows. Just don’t overdo it with the design to keep the balance right. Simple swags in a coordinating fabric would be best
4. Hiding an Ugly Track or Curtain Rod
As valance window treatments stay in place whether the curtain panels are open or closed and are on their own rod or track outside the main one for the curtains, they can keep an ugly track hidden from view. Some ugly plastic tracks really need to be hidden however if you have beautiful poles with carved or ornate finials you may not want to hide them with valances.
5. Adding a Unique Designer Touch
There are so many styles of valances that you should be able to get a unique look for your windows even if you don’t go the custom route. If you want something a bit different don’t just buy curtains along with ready made valances for windows unless you have managed to track down something special that is exactly right for you. If you are on a limited budget one idea you could use is to buy plain curtains and ready made valances (which tend to be a bit cheaper) and then trim these with beautiful beads or cord or fringing to get that designer look which stands out from the crowd without the price tag to match.
On this site you will find a lot of information about choosing and buying the right valances for your windows. If you would like to hang valances but are not too sure how to get started then I hope we can help you at Window Valances Online.
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I hope you find just what you are looking for here. Please note, unless otherwise labeled, all product links will take you to great deals on Amazon.com. See affiliate disclosure.