Valances for Living Room Curtains - A Guide

Curtain valances can transform the look and feel of a living room. These decorative panels provide the perfect finishing touch above your windows. Let's explore everything you need to know about selecting, styling, and installing valances in your living space.

Valances serve as subtle focal points that frame and accentuate windows. With the right valances, you can amplify your living room's aesthetic. Keep reading to learn more about maximizing their design potential.

Considerations When Choosing Valances

Several factors come into play when deciding on living room valances. Assessing your space, privacy needs, and decor goals will steer you toward the best options.

Window Size and Shape

Take careful measurements of your window frames. This ensures proper sizing and coverage. Consider the height, width, and form of each window when planning valances. For example, opt for wider valances above larger windows.

Living Room Size

The dimensions of your living space also matter. In a smaller room, minimize visual weight with lightweight, sheer valances. For larger living rooms, go bold with fuller cascading styles. Make sure valance widths don't overwhelm the room's proportions.

Decor Style

Match the style of your valances to your living room's overall aesthetic. For traditional spaces, tailored designs in richer fabrics like velvet and brocade complement. In contemporary rooms, sleek metallic or printed valances add interest. Coordinate colors and patterns for a cohesive look.

Privacy Needs

Assess your need for privacy and light control. For ample daylight with unobstructed views, use sheer materials. Soft opaque fabrics filter light gracefully. Or layer both to customize privacy and ambiance.

Budget

Living room valances range widely in price to suit different budgets. Simple cotton styles cost less, while ornate custom-made valances with trims and tassels have higher price tags. Establish a comfortable budget before shopping.

DIY vs. Custom-Made

Another choice is DIY valances versus hiring a professional. If you're handy with basic sewing, you can fashion simple valances yourself. But for intricate shapes and fabrics, customized valances may warrant working with an expert.

Popular Styles of Living Room Valances

With so many options, narrowing down valence styles can get overwhelming. Let's explore some of the most popular types used in living spaces today.

Tiered and Cascading Valances

These abundant multilayer valances gently cascade for a soft, romantic aesthetic. The rounded horizontal layers create beautiful dimension. Flowy fabrics like lace or sheer cottons best complement this style.

Swag Valances

Swag valances feature a gathered center and two pieces of fabric that drape elegantly at the sides. The luxurious draping effect works with both formal and casual decors. These look lovely alone or combined with curtains.

Tailored or Pleated Valances

For a structured look, tailored or pleated valances deliver clean lines. The crisp gathered folds and well-defined shape provide understated refinement. Common in traditional and French country rooms, these valances pair nicely with roman blinds.

Scarf Valances

As the name implies, scarf valances mimic the look of fabric scarves hung above windows. The lightweight swagged panels create effortless texture. This relaxed style suits coastal, bohemian, and eclectic spaces beautifully.

Cornice Valances

Cornice valances have a distinct boxed, rounded shape almost like a soft pelmet. The strong horizontal lines add architectural interest. Pair these with long flowing curtains for a glamorous frame effect.

Valance Lengths and Placements

Proportion and placement impact how valances interact with the windows and walls. Take a thoughtful approach to positioning valances to maximize their potential.

Above Window vs. Extending Past Window

Some valances sit right above the window frame, while others extend beyond it. Wider valances can make windows appear larger. But if privacy isn't a concern, above window styles keep the focus centered on the glass.

Touching Ceiling vs. Leaving Space

Determine whether to have valances touch the ceiling or leave a gap. Touching the ceiling makes windows appear taller. Allowing breathing room above creates a lighter look. For formal spaces, extend valances fully to the ceiling.

Aligning Multiple Windows

When dealing with several contiguous windows, maintain alignment with valances. Having them hang at the same height creates symmetry. You can also incorporate one long valance stretching across all windows.

Fabrics and Materials

From breezy sheers to lush velvets, fabric choice influences the valence's overall effect. Consider the pros and cons of various textiles before making a selection.

Common Fabrics

Cotton, linen, polyester, velvet, and brocade work wonderfully for living room valances. Cotton offers a casual, lightweight look. Linen provides texture with a touch of imperfect beauty. And velvet or brocade conveys richness.

Sheers vs. Blackout Fabrics

Sheer fabrics filter light softly for an airy, ethereal look. Blackout fabrics like heavy velvet block light completely for rooms needing total privacy. Balance both to customize your space.

Patterns and Textures

Introduce visual interest with patterned or textured valances. Florals, geometrics, paisleys and more make unique statements. Consider textures like embroidered, woven, or subtly metallic.

Lining Options

Lined valances provide insulation, light filtering, and shape retention. Consider partial lining just at the top or fully lining the entire valence. Contrast lining colors can also be decorative when they peek through.

Mounting and Installing Valances

Proper installation ensures your valances maintain their form. Weigh your options for seamlessly integrating them into the space.

Hang on Rod vs. Mount on Wall/Ceiling

Hanging valances on rods or existing curtain tracks is an easy DIY-friendly option. For a custom look, mount directly to the ceiling or wall around windows. This may require professional help.

Hardware Needed

Have the necessary hardware ready before installing valances. Rod-mounted styles need clips or ring hooks to attach. Wall-mounted types require screws and mounting boards or adhesives.

DIY Instructions

Refer to step-by-step valance tutorials for guidance. Carefully measure the mounting area, allowing for optimal overlap. Mark hardware placement, pre-drill holes as needed, then securely attach valances.

Coordinating Valances with Other Decor

When designing your living room, make valances part of a holistic vision. Integrate them into the existing layout for harmony.

Match or Complement Room Colors

Choose valance colors that suit your wall hues, furniture, and decor pieces. Contrasting or tonally in-sync palettes both work beautifully. Just ensure cohesion.

Tie in Valance Fabric to Upholstery

Echoing valence fabric in your upholstered furniture is a great way to connect elements. Match the pattern, texture, or color for a unified aesthetic.

Incorporate Other Window Treatments

Layer curtains, roman shades, or blinds with valances to customize style and privacy. Continuity in color and fabric maintains flow.