The Best Ways To Match Drapes and Valances

Panels, drapes and valances don’t have to match! Well, they do to an extent, but we at Budget Blinds of Central Phoenix and Tempe don’t need to be the same material, the same pattern, or even the same color. In fact, we believe it’s best to mix and match so you’re emphasizing your window instead of drowning it in hues. 

Totally Matching

This is when everything matches, 100%, no exception. The same everything. Same material. Same color. Same print. Everything. 

Matching is perfectly fine. Consider matching your drapes and valances if:

You’re trying to achieve a formal look in your overall room design, especially when using neutral and lush colors like gold, cream, burgundy, or federal blue, for example. It’s elegant and classy.

The room is otherwise busy, cluttered, or relatively small. Pick a shade that’s slightly lighter or darker than the wall to create just a bit of depth and keep it simple with subtle patterns or solids.

Mostly Matching

If you want to achieve the “It’s almost 100% matching, but not quite” look, then we’ve got you covered. This section means that you’re allowed to deviate from prints and colors — it doesn’t have to be totally matching, but some elements should be the same.

Pick Coordinating Fabrics That Flow

The first step to mostly matching is picking the right fabrics. Again, they don’t have to be made of the same materials if you don’t want them to be! There should be a main fabric — one that is used around the rest of the room — and a secondary/accent fabric. Valences are normally the main fabric and curtains/drapes are normally the secondary due to the depth factor. Valances are bulkier and are over the curtains, therefore it makes sense from a style standpoint to make them the main fabric choice. 

For example, try a heavier fabric for the valence and a lighter one for the curtains. Picture a jean-like material over a smoother sheer curtain. The effect is tantalizingly effortless and gorgeous. 

Coordinating Colors and Prints

Picking coordinating colors is the most common option when you’re mostly matching your drapes and valances. For this style, use the valance as the accent piece if you want a bottom-heavy look, or the curtains as the accent if you want the eye to be drawn to the valence first. 

Here’s how to do it: the accent piece should contain a similar pattern or color to the main accent, but it shouldn’t be the focus. For example, you pick flowing red drapes to give your room a pop of color, but think it would be too overwhelming to have a matching valance. Try a valance that is primarily neutral, but has red tones in the pattern, such as red flowers or stripes over a neutral color. 

Coordinating two fabrics doesn’t necessarily have to be this subtle. It’s also perfectly fine to deviate a bit from the overall colors. If you need help, schedule a free design consultation with us! We’ll happily show you all of the options that fit your style and taste and narrow down which mostly matching drapes and valance combination you like best. 

Completely Mismatched 

When we say mismatched, we mean different fabrics, different colors, and slightly different patterns. We don’t mean matching plaid and polka dots — that never really works well in the design world. Beside that, this combination is unbridled with possibilities. However, it is perfectly fine to have an eclectic taste. Your home should be just that, your home. 

Different Prints

For these, stick with the “mostly matching” advice. It’s great to match a solid color drape with a patterned valance, but we don’t recommend trying to match a polka dot valance with plaid drapes. 

Different Fabrics

Judge fabrics based on the sheerness of the panels, as well as the color. You can do contrasting pairs for the valance and panels — mix light and dark, sheer and thick, and layer until the look comes together. Consider the valance too: the heavier the fabric, the more overbearing the valance will seem. It could be a good contrast to more transparent panels! 

Different Colors

Try not to go too overboard with color — everything should match the room it’s in. That being said, you don’t always have to match your drapes and your valances perfectly. We talked about this in the earlier section, but here, you can take it to the next level. White drapes, a dark blue valance, for example. That’s too safe. What about heavy golden drapes paired with the same blue valance? That’s bold! Just remember to not let them overpower the room. 

Finally, if you need help, don’t forget that the experts are just a call away! The design experts at Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix will be happy to help you find the perfect matching, mostly matching, or mismatched drapes and valance combination for you. Call today!