Window Valances: The Crowning Glory for Your Window Treatments

Adding a valance to your window treatments is an easy way to customize and personalize your home. Their versatility is only limited by your imagination, as you’ll see in this “Valances 101” crash course. From a crisp, clean line for the minimalist, to pleated, ruffled and trimmed traditional opulence, there is no right or wrong in designing valances.  With names like swagged, pleated, cascading, layered and balloon, there truly are unlimited design possibilities with the not-so-humble valance.

Design options abound
Window valances generally take one of two styles, board-mounted or rod- or pole-mounted.

• Board-mounted has multiple cuts of fabric draped and upholstered to a board (Cornice boxes are included in this category, finished wood or upholstered)
• Pole-mounted has fabric attached and draped in various ways, including rings, tabs, ties, bows, ribbons, and hooks

Either style can be simple or elaborate, layered and trimmed, coordinating or contrasting. Design options include shirred, stylized cascades, long and short layered swags, jabots, pleated and inverted pleat panels, pelmets, tassels, ruffles, decorative edging, beaded trim and more.

The Budget Blinds® exclusive Inspired Drapes® collection of sumptuous fabrics and gorgeous hardware will have you wondering how you’ve lived without window valances in every single room, adding definition and charm to your windows. Our online Inspired Drapes Lookbook (page 26 to start) can take you on a tour of valance designs that will certainly get you excited!

Purposeful design
The first step in valance design is to determine what exactly you want to accomplish. A valance can be  so much more beyond “a big ruffle capping your window.” They can camouflage crooked or uneven windows and elevate the beauty of existing window coverings. Valances are fashionable as stand-alone window treatments, or they can be combined with window blinds, shades or drapery for layers upon layers of style. Your local Budget Blinds Style Consultant can walk you through the wonderful, innovative world of window valances to help you find the ideal accent for all your windows.

Frame a window, finish a full treatment, create a new look or add a seasonal touch.
This layered treatment includes Roman shades, custom drapery panels and a swagged decorative valance that adds colorful interest and elegance. For a room design update or refresh, just replace the valance for a whole new look without spending a fortune on new window coverings. For example, a brown and white subtle stripe or Greek Key patterned valance would give this room an entirely different vibe.

Add or reinforce detail and shape with stylized valances.
Valances with cascades transform the squared shape of these windows, creating arches and adding height, making the windows a dramatic element of the room’s décor.

Cover unsightly hardware or pleats and headings of functional draperies or shades.
Although there are curtain rods for the roller shades and the drapes, these custom valances hide the hardware so all you see is a beautiful, continuous treatment across all three windows.

Soften the appearance of hard window treatments like blinds or sliding panels.
The straight lines of the vertical sliding panels on this patio door are softened with a pleated valance that adds a colorful focal point in this dining room. Even when the panels are stacked off to one side, the door is stylishly adorned, enhancing the view.

Create the allusion of additional height or width for a window.
One valance across two smaller windows helps to create the allusion of one large window, especially with drapery panels defining the space by extending the width of the windows.
Unify the appearance of different types of window treatments used in the same room.
Matching valances create symmetry between the vertical and horizontal blinds in this bedroom. When window treatment styles don’t match, you can unify any room with coordinating valances.

The versatile valance opens up a world of design possibilities for any window treatment. Whether you have existing window coverings that can use some dressing up, windows that need the complete treatment, or windows that need some “camouflage creativity,” Budget Blinds can help! Call 866-879-9730 to schedule a FREE, in-home consultation or go online to www.budgetblinds.com  to find the Style Consultant nearest you. Our wide range of styles, colors, and finishes in blinds, shutters, shades and soft treatments like drapes and valances will ensure you get the perfect window coverings for your home.

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