Design Your Own Drapery

Window Valances

Creating a Unique Window Valance

At Design Your Own Draperies, your window valance options are endless! Window valances come in many different styles and can be used alone or in conjunction with other window treatments such as drapes, sheers, blinds or shutters. A window valance can be used alone to allow optimal light into your home or can be used in combination with other treatments to create a dramatic effect. Window valances range from formal and heavy to casual and light. What you choose depends on your personal style and the goal of your window decorating treatment.

Although there are many variations within each category, window valances can be organized into three primary groups. The main groups are Balloon Window Valances, Swag Window Valances and Pleated Window Valances.

Generally, a balloon window valance looks like its name. It normally has a gathered ruffle atop the rod with doubled up fabric that is pinched in increments so that the areas between the pinches balloon out.

A swag window valance also looks similar to how it sounds. A swag window valance can be short or extend to the floor where it can even be pooled.

A pleated window valance is ideally made of heavier fabrics that can be formed and will hold their shape. Here are examples of the most popular window valances we offer at Design Your Own Draperies.

Make the Most of your Window Valance

Valances can be used freely in bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and dens. They can be used on windows with or without curtains.

How you hang your window valance is almost as important as the style and fabric you choose to compliment your décor.

To make a short window appear longer, and give your room some additional height, place the valance high enough so that the bottom just covers the top of the window. This will give the illusion of an extended window. To make a tall window shorter, the valance can be hung lower or made longer. For two story windows, place the valance in the middle of the window and make it part of the room's décor on the lower half. Dividing the windows with valances will make the ceiling appear less high. For the best aesthetics, a valance should not hang more than one-third of the way down the window.

To make the most of your window valance, its important to consider the type of overall design being used in the rest of the room.

At Design Your Own Draperies, we offer over 300 fabrics to ensure that your design will seamlessly match your room décor! Please order as many window valance fabric samples as you need to make the ideal choice best suited for your room!

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