Valances
From the den to the kitchen, valances have a way of softening the light and adding color to a room. Get fancy with swag-style valances for the living room, or go for a more crisp look with tailored toppers. Gathered styles, too, allow you to play with trendy designs, from floral prints to semi-sheer stripes in an array of colors.
Whether catching eyes in the entryway or captivating in the kitchen, valances are making a big style comeback. They add a colorful punch to windows along with softening the light in a room. Plus, get a fresh take on this classic decorating staple with modern prints and on-trend designs.
Valances for the Living Room: In the past, valances gave a grand, polished appearance to windows. You can play with this timeless technique by hanging up swag-style valances. These toppers tend to drape down from your curtain rod, lending a sense of refinement to your surroundings.
Browse semi-sheer waterfall valances with curtains to match, and set the tone for an extravagant setting. These toppers wouldn't look out of place in a conversation area with a sprawling area rug and a large, framed painting over the fireplace. Fan, duchess, Austrian, and many more styles afford this general air of elegance.
Valances for High-Traffic Rooms: Of course, your bathroom and kitchen might require a more laid-back approach. In which case, turn to tailored-style valances for a trim look.
Hang three or four ascot valances for a geometric display. Or, find a layered ascot valance, which has the look of multiples. The Katelin Striped Valance, perfect for a contempo cafe, features trendy shades of blue, green, orange, and red. Pull it all together, and work in a lightweight rug striped in similar colors beneath your dining table.
You could also try shaped, cornice, or pleated valances arrayed with more traditional accents, like fabric-covered buttons and box pleats.
Valances for the Bedroom: Toe the line between casual and formal with gathered styles, including tie-up, blouson, and ruffled valances. Decide on flowery prints that pick up a pattern in your sheets, or emit summery vibes with tropical designs. Complement your island valances with a rattan headboard and pampas grass tucked in a corner vase.
Make sure you choose a style that works well with the room you intend to decorate. What might look elegant and formal in a great room, for example, could prove overwhelming in a smaller area, like the bath or spare room.
If you're not wanting to get too thematic with your decor, you can't go wrong with solid shades of burgundy, loden green, espresso, or gold. Pick a color and design that will uplift the room overall, but don't forget to measure your window before deciding on a particular style:
First, measure the width of your window, including any outside trim in your measurements.
Round the window width to the nearest inch, then multiply it by 2 (or 3, for added fullness!)
Finally, divide this new number by the width of the desired valances. Round to the nearest whole number.
This should tell you how many valances you need to purchase. Now you're free to start dreaming up creative ways to decorate with a few on-trend toppers!