Window treatments make a big impact on the look of a home. They also provide a useful tool to tie design elements of different rooms together. A bathroom often connects to a bedroom suite or other larger room. Bathroom valances and curtains help unite the overall design. Alternatively they bring opulence to a comfortable room where family or guests like to pamper themselves.
The bathroom valance plays an important role in any window treatment. Its original purpose served to hide hardware such as curtain rods; however it has evolved into an additional design feature. It can blend with the curtains or complement them. Here are some bathroom valance ideas and simple instructions to build one at home.
Bathroom window valances can be made of cloth, wood, plastic or fiberboard. Cloth provides a softer appearance and can match the curtain fabric. To avoid mold and mildew, avoid heavy material that holds humidity. The fabric should be easy to clean. Synthetics or a polyester cotton blend work best.
Solid materials may be painted or wallpapered. Color and design can match or contrast walls and curtains. A simple bathroom window valance can be built at home with a circular saw, finish nailer, measuring tape, sandpaper and screw gun. Building supplies include a sheet of medium density fibreboard (MDF), caulk, 1 inch by 3 inch clear pine for the ledger, wood glue, and fasteners.
1. Measure the length and height of the front piece, or cornice. Transfer dimensions to the MDF sheet and cut it using the circular saw.
2. Measure the depth of the side pieces, called returns. Open and close the curtains to determine how much space is required for all fabric and hardware. The returns will be the same height as the cornice and will be fastened onto the back of it. Cut these side pieces from MDF.
3. Glue the returns to the back of the cornice. Nail them through the front face.
4. Caulk any holes, sand and apply paint or other desired design features.
5. Cut the pine ledger slightly shorter than the inside length of the cornice box.
6. Fasten the ledger to the wall above the window hardware. It should be screwed into a header board or wall studs.
6. Screw the cornice box onto the ledger.
Bathroom valances can quickly and inexpensively transform the room’s design. Be inventive. The structure can even be turned into extra storage space, which comes in handy in a small room.