How to Find the Perfect Window Valance

Window treatments are more than just blinds, shutters, and shades. Have you ever considered adding depth with a window valance or cornice?

A cornice box is an ornamental attachment to your curtains or blinds. They are made out of solid materials (usually wood), and consist of fabric attached to a frame. Cornice window treatments are used to cover hardware or to add additional color and style to a room, but they can also help to block unwanted light around the top of your window treatments.

A window valance is a shorter drapery panel that hangs at the top of a window. Valances are installed over the top of curtains on a curtain or drapery rod, and help to add texture and depth to a room, in addition to the window treatment itself. 

To visualize the difference, picture a rigid wooden box frame over the top of your window. That’s a cornice. The loose flowing fabric over your windows are valances. 

Valances are a versatile option that instantly add color, depth, and designer flair to any window treatment. Whether used as a stand-alone window treatment or paired with draperies or blinds, valances from Budget Blinds of Tempe & Central Phoenix can complement your windows with distinctive style. And valances can also help make your windows appear larger to really open up a room.

Why Choose a Window Valance?

Valances offer a quick and easy pop of color or depth. Valances come in an eye-pleasing assortment of fabrics in the latest patterns and colors to mix and match with draperies to create the perfect look. 

They’re also widely available in a wide array of styles to fit every taste. To top it all, you can even order custom valances so they always match your style and add the exact flair your interior decor needed. 

For instance, you can create a custom scallop window, or a pleated one. What about a soft-side, gathered, or other popular designs? Choose a backside lined with a light-filtering liner for a finished, custom look for uniform street-side appearance.

You can choose, create, or try them all. 

Methods for Fitting a Valance 

If you want a valance, there are a number of things you need to consider, such as the height of it.

The average advice is a valance is usually 15 inches deep, but adjustments will be made to fit your window. A large, tall picture window, for example, may work best with a 17-inch deep valance. A small bedroom window may find that a 10- or 12-inch valance is a better fit. 

The pattern or color of the valance can also impact the decorator's decision here—very loud colors or aggressive patterns are better with more depth because they’re often overwhelming when on a smaller canvas. 

Another rule of thumb used by decorators is that the window valance depth should be 1/4 of the overall window height, plus 1 inch. So a 60-inch tall window, then, would call for a 16-inch deep valance, while a 48-inch window calls for a valance about 13 inches deep. 

A good rule of thumb is to measure the distance from the top of the window valance to the floor. 

How to Match Window Valance to Curtains 

Valances don’t have to match their curtains. They add depth, color, a pop of pattern, and fun to windows. In fact, you don’t even need curtains over vertical blinds to add extra depth when you have a window valance! 

So how do you match a valance to your room? It’s easy with these tips. 

A Pop of Color

You can choose a shade that’s similar so the valance blends in, or you can choose to be bold and bright with colors that contrast your walls. If you want a good pop of color, a contrasting window valance will do an amazing job. If you have yellow walls, a shade of blue will pop nicely. 

Or, you can match your valance to your window with a different shade or the same to blend in.

Neutral Tones

Select a print or solid color in a neutral palette that will be versatile enough to work with a variety of wall colors. Think of white, ivory, beige, or something that doesn’t pop out, but offers a nice warm tone to your room. Neutral tones don’t only match everything — they’re very welcoming and the colors are great to add depth without emphasis. 

If you need a little extra help deciding the style experts at Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix are here for you. Give them a call today to set up a free design consultation!