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.
Discount Window Valances : Great Time to Buy
If you’re looking for discount window valances then look no further than all the sales you will see in stores and online right now. You see with vacation time coming up most of are less interested in decorating our homes meaning that stores are keener to sell us their goods.
In fact, the best times to find valances on sale are always July and January although if you’re reading this outside those times don’t worry these days you can get some bargains all year round (It seems that stores have to keep offering great deals to keep us interested). You’ll also find some further ideas here to save money on valances all year round.
Department Stores
Buy Valances on Sale to Save Money
You’ll find the best deals in the clearance racks of the ready-made curtain section of large department stores where you’ll often find ends of lines, reductions for damaged packaging and special purchases. If the store is left with the valance and no matching curtain you can usually get these for very little. They are great for pairing with a plain blind or curtain.
You’ll also often find special deals in the custom curtains area of these stores where special deals often include reductions on fabric and free making. If you can get your valances made for free then you will be able to get exactly what you want at a very reasonable price or you can use the money you saved on your custom curtains during the sale to buy matching valances.
Look for Window Valances Online
You will find the best selection of valances and other window treatments online and by buying in this way you will be able to “shop around” without too much effort and save yourself some cash. Online stores have sales and special deals too at this time of year in particular so watch out for them. The best sites offer a tailor-made solution to suit your windows as well as plenty of ready made valances. When buying check the terms as shipping costs can add considerably to the overall cost and if you forget about them they can be quite a blow to your budget.
Can’t Afford Designer Valances?
If fancy valances are beyond your budget don’t give up on the idea altogether, buy plain valances and trim them to make them beautiful. Add a braid edging or fringing or beaded trimming to make them special. You can pick up many trimmings from the same department stores which sell the designer valances that ae beyond your budget. Of course the best trimming isn’t cheap and you’ll have a pay for a few yards but it’s a lot cheaper than an expensive valance.
Don’t Forget to Save on Drapery Hardware
When you are hanging both a curtain and a valance you will need double drapery rods so that the valance does not affect the operation of the curtains. While looking for discount valances don’t forget to cast an eye over any discounts on curtain rods that you can take advantage of. After all the final cost of window valances has to include the price of actually getting them hanging above your windows.
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.
« go back — keep looking »Welcome!
