Window Valances

There is a lot more to curtains and window valances than most do-it-yourself home decorators realize. For example, you should consider how deep you would like your valance to be. If it is too shallow, it will give your window a long narrow appearance. If your curtains valance is too deep, it will cover up to much of the window or will appear to be top-heavy.

In order to get have that perfect look for your window curtains and valances there is a simple measuring trick you can use. Make a decision on where you want the top of your valance to be and then measure from that point to the floor or windowsill. Take that number and divide it by five or six. The sum will tell you exactly how deep the valance should be in order to give your window treatment that perfect look and everything will be proportionate.

Depending on the style of your home, you may want to try a padded valance box. Although it sounds fancy, it is just a decorative box that is used to dress up your drapery panels as well as hide the mounting hardware. Some interior decorators refer to it as a cornice. In most cases, this type of valance is used in rooms that have either a traditional or some sort of French Country style. If you look around online, you can find several sites that offer tips on home to make your own if you are considering going this route.

When you are choosing your window treatments, you should always consider how you want to control the lighting of the room. If you want to allow a lot of light into the room and enjoy your privacy at the same time, you may want to go with sheer or lace. This will effectively filter the light without blocking it and still allow you to gaze out without having to worry about someone gazing in. If using sheer or lace still provides too much light for you, there are other options. You could go with white cotton or some sort of blend, they will soften the light more than sheer or lace. If you want to block the light altogether, you may want to consider some sort of woven fabric or lined curtains. This type of window dressing will just about block all incoming light.

Choosing the right fabric texture is just as important as choosing your curtains valance. The wrong texture will take away from the look and feel of the room, and a poorly chosen texture will make your window a negative focal point of the room. Here are a few rules you should keep in mind when choosing your fabrics color and texture. Solid colors or even a slight print will always draw attention to the window, so choose wisely. Neutral colors are more commonly used to complement or accent your flooring, wallpaper and furniture.

Now that you are armed with a wealth of knowledge, go decorate like a pro, and make sure to have fun too.

A scarf window valance is an excellent choice for those windows that are located in awkward positions throughout your home. You can also use this window treatment for windows with blinds or when you want to add a little color and texture to them. There are many uses and types of window valances; this article will cover a few of the more popular uses as well as a few tips that you are sure to enjoy.

One of the most common uses for scarf valance window treatments is when an unattractive curtain rod had to be used to hang a set of heavy drapes. This technique is used to avoid having the hardware show, and detracting from the look and feel of the room. This is an effective strategy that is most commonly used in large hotel lobbies, and offices. This technique can also be used in the home to give the room more of an elegant look and feel.

Oftentimes when curtains are hung, you have to place brackets and other mounting hardware outside of the window molding. In this type of situation, it is a good idea to simply drape the window scarf valances around the outer rod to cover the additional hardware that was needed. In some cases you may want to use a sheer which looks fine except at towards the top. Using a sheer will also make the hardware that was use visible, which you will want to avoid in most cases. Depending on the look and feel you are trying to achieve, this can detract from the room. This can easily be avoided by adding an outer rod and draping a valance over it. This will cover up any eyesores and it will also accent the window, and add to the overall beauty of the room.

When you’re coming up with your scarf valance ideas, you should take in to consideration the type of fabric that will be used. Every little detail has to be considered when decorating your home. The wrong fabric will change the look and flow of the entire room. If you have poor lighting in the room you may want to consider more of an open style window treatment versus a closed style.

It is important to take accurate measurements before purchasing your valance window treatment. You will want to ensure that you account for your draped folds and how far you want the tails to hang on each side. It is highly recommended that you always measure more than you actually think you may need. Different types of mounting brackets call for different amounts of fabric. Check the packaging of your mounting brackets, often they will recommend how much fabric is needed for the desired effect.

Another tip you will find extremely useful is when you have to deal with fabrics that do not have finished ends. If you find yourself in this situation, you have two options. Option one you can simply stitch a hem along the bottom. Option two you can use ironing tape, which is much faster and will give you the desired effect you want. I hope that you have found the information in this article useful and you will apply some of the techniques in your home.

Homeowners looking to spruce up their living rooms or interior decorators with an eye for trendy fabrics can use window valances as decorative, intricate means of shrouding windows and light fixtures with elaborately patterned fabric. A Victory valance is a unique means of ornamenting the roof of a window with custom designed fabric, accenting the interior or matching the color scheme of a particular room. Victory valances are available in an endless array of sizes, fabrics, styles, colors, and fringes. The majority of valances are made by hand, so that a professional will craft a specific, one of a kind design to any specifications. If you’re the do-it-yourself type, you can go so far as to craft one yourself using simple fabrics and a Victory valance pattern. Valances can cover any type and height of window, from arches to bay windows, so there is no limit to their capability. Furthermore, they can be paired with any type of curtain or blind for a potent blend of color and style.

A Victory swag valance — so named for the time setting of the original design during the American Revolution, also known as a patriot valance — is similar to other custom designs of window valances. The richly textured swag, or trim about the base, gives a classic look without restricting the amount of light entering a window. A custom-made valance will have a considerable amount of trim and overlap, so that a large deal of thread is necessary. Thus, an elegant valance will tend to be more expensive than simple curtains and will take longer to make if stitching the pattern by hand. The volume of swag and overlap is crucial to the hanging, folded look, so skimping on the amount of fabric needed is not recommended, or else it will look pinched and tight.

For many valance, custom tassels in alternating colors are a popular decision about the swag at the base. These tassels are called jabots, and are available in any color or pattern, although using the color scheme of the entire valance is normal. Valances can use custom prints and images with a high amount of intricate detail, but they must be properly centered and stitched with the contours of the folds in mind, as nearly half of the fabric will be hidden behind itself on a normal sized valance. The entire drape is settled on a pole above the window, hanging a foot or two over the roof of the window. The number of folds is entirely up to the customer, though three is usually enough for even the largest sized window.

Customers interested in how to make a Victory valance with their own two hands have a number of options. Many websites and home improvement stores sell videos or books about the very subject, often for twenty dollars or less. Making a Victory handmade valance can drastically cut down on the costs, as a custom made set can cost hundreds of dollars for an individual piece; designer fabrics may cost upwards of a thousand. Thus, hand stitching is a budget friendly option but may take weeks or even months depending on personal skills. Three different types of fabric must be purchased; one for the base, one for the trim, and one for the tassels. Each design is supposed to compliment one another, so be careful not to use colors or patterns that could clash.

A Victory swag valance adds color and beauty to any room in the house, and making one by hand is sure to leave friends and family impressed. Visit local home improvement stores to check models and prices of your particular preference.

A tailored valance, though usually following a very straight and simple line and used mostly in kitchen settings, does not have to be relegated to the kitchen only. These window valances can be used to add style and elegance to almost any window; it all depends on the type of material that you choose for your tailored valances.

Traditionally, homemakers would use other types of valances to spice up their living room and bedroom windows but that is no longer the case. While it cannot be disputed that the gorgeous balloon valances or the swag style sheer valances are considered to be more decorative, it is possible to have the same effect with the tailored kind.

Tailored window valances go straight across the top of the window area from one side to the other, usually hung on a curtain rod. Some are straight, others are pleated or gathered. The actual length of the valance can vary, depending on the look you are trying to achieve and the overall style of the window and any other curtains that may be hanging there. As with other styles of valances, they can be made from the same material as the other curtains, or they can be made from a color and material that complements the hanging curtains. You can also add a sheer tailored window valance over other curtains.

For a very simple look, try hanging this type of valance over a window without adding any curtains. You can offset the window by using either a colored valance or even a sheer valance, depending on the effect you are trying for. If the window is small, it is better to not make the valance too long. Just a small valance across the top of a window can be very effective. It is also a great option for windows with a blind where you want an open look during the day to give a more airy effect yet you still want privacy as evening approaches. If you hang this style you should match the color of the material to the actual window frame, or have it blend in with the surrounding walls.

This type of valance also goes very well in windows where you also have a half curtain, one that merely covers the bottom section of the window but leaves the top section open. The straight line of this valance balances out the straight line of the upper section of the half curtain. Normally in these cases you would make the valance and the lower half curtain from the same material.

A straight check valance also looks fantastic in a kitchen. This style of valance naturally suits checked material, as the straight lines go well with the symmetry of the check material. In fact, any material with horizontal lines lends itself well to this style.

A tailored window valance can also be used to give a more formal appearance. In situations where elegance is your main goal, the choice of material is very important as is the actual cut of the material and the style used. Pleated or gathered sheer valances with a straight line can look very elegant although they would be more suited to a bedroom than a living room. For a truly elegant look, match use the same material as you use for your curtains and choose a style that is not pleated or gathered very much, but is fairly straight across. An example of this is the valance where the material is taut across the window area, and pleated at the sides. If this is made from appropriate fabric it can look very classy indeed.

There are many different ways you can add a touch of class to your home using these types of valances. All it takes is a little imagination and planning to achieve the exact effect you are after.

A simple way to accentuate a window without the burden of hanging heavy and difficult window valances is to use a scarf treatment. Window scarf valances hang easily and function mainly to expose a decorative curtain rod and let maximum light come through while imparting the beauty and style you desire.

One thing to note though is that they only work with certain types of window dressings. As they are typically light and carry an airy vibe to them, so should the other window adornment. The best things to use these with are blinds and sheer or fine curtains. You could put them on a bare window but it might not be enough dressing. Your window may look too bare.

We’re going to make a scarf window valance that hangs in an arch. You can make as many arches as you like though. You will be able to drape this in any room of your choice or you can make multiple window valances for several rooms. There is no real science to hanging these; it’s more an art form. So let’s begin.

What you will need:
• tape measure
• decorative rod, drapery pole or scarf hooks
• fabric of choice
• the same amount of fabric for a contrasting lining
• a pair of tie backs
• thread that matches the fabric
• pins

Window Scarf Valances with Lining

The first thing you want to do is take the tape measure and get the measurements of the window you want to dress with a window scarf valance. This measurement will be used to find a decorative rod and account for how much fabric you will need. It is always best to assume at least three times the amount of fabric to the width of the window. Rods can be adjustable and should extend out past the width of the frame. Use your best judgment.

Take your chosen hardware (rod, drapery pole or scarf hooks) and measure two inches over the window and at least three inches past the molding of the window frame for outside mounting. Mark where you want the mounts to go and attach them. If you are decorating a large window you may want to attach wall mounts above the window along the path of the frame to give support. This may be necessary no matter the width of the window if using a decorative pole. Try to attach this in the center of the window in line with the outside brackets.

Once the window treatment hardware is set hang the fabric to get a proper adjustment for hanging. Leave enough material to make an arch or several arches along the top of the window. Once that’s done, clip or tie the corners to mark where the fabric will hang and remove the scarf.

Optional: You may want to make a hem along the fabric for a more finished look.

Lay the scarf material on the floor and start forming the pleats lengthwise. These should be uniform and of the same width (about 8 inches wide). You may have to remove the markers to do this. Use a pin or a clip to mark the hanging points in the meantime. After setting the pleats, make as many more scarf window valances as you need to complete the room. It’s better to make them all at once while you have the information fresh in your head. Then you can go back and hang them all at the same time.

Window Scarf Valance Minimalism

Once you’ve finished all of your scarf valance window treatments it’s time to hang them. It’s probably a good idea to take any leftover material and gently tie the scarf at intervals to preserve all your hard work in making the pleats. It’s take time and several adjustments to get the right hang on your window scarf valance and having the material secured in the process will save you from having the start over. Remember to tie the material loosely. You only want them to secure the material long enough to hang the scarf.

Take your first scarf and hang it along your holder of choice. Center it using the marked areas you pinned earlier. Adjust for the arch to hang as low as you want. If using scarf rings you will want to gently feed the material through the rings being careful to upset the pleats as little as possible. It will take a little less time if using a simple rod or pole. Adjust the lengths by pulling at the bottoms of the scarf. Fluff the pleats as desired and you are finished. Repeat the steps for the remaining window scarf valances.

If you would like to decorate your windows with stylish window valances but are short on ideas other than hanging bland curtains over your window drapes then perhaps this article is for you. Just by combining curtains and valances for windows together you can create stylish treatments for every room in your home. Let’s take a look at a couple of ways you can achieve this objective. We’re going to go through a list of alternative ways to make inexpensive but not cheap window valances and use them to layer your curtains for a fuller window decoration.

Idea #1: You can easily mix solid colors with prints. Adding plain one-color curtains with printed valances for small windows would make a striking statement in the kitchen if both fabrics were somewhat sheer. One matching technique you could try is to use prints that have the same color as the primary color of your kitchen curtains. It doesn’t have to be the main focus of the valance but should complement both the curtains and window curtain valances nicely. You also want both curtains and valances to match in depth of color. You don’t want light valances and dark curtains or vice versa.

Idea #2: Try mixing textures. Varying textures between the two layers could easily make a unique and beautiful window curtain valance combination for your room. Again you could take a solid fabric like a light cotton and combine it with lace window valances for something country themed. Or you could combine heavier fabrics with rough fabrics like chenille, taffeta with satin or as many combinations as you can come up with.

Idea #3: Mix shades of the same color. This is by far one of the simplest and easiest decorating solutions for areas like children’s rooms. You could layer darker shades over lighter colors. Using the same fabric is the best solution for this style of window treatment. With valances for small windows like in children’s room, you could even take slightly muted tones of say pink and blue or something similar and combine them with curtains of the same colors.

Idea #4: Mix and match prints. This may be a bit of a chore to accomplish as many people get confused with what prints match other prints. But what doesn’t always sound like it would match just may turn out to be the best combination you could put together. This is especially true of valance window treatments. With valances for wide windows you could use larger prints that fall into the same category. For instance you could easily match flowers with birds. Designing curtains and valances for windows lend themselves to a plethora of creative touches bound only by your own imaginative limitations.