As a practical aesthetic piece valances are used to hide the bars and other hardware that attaches to the wall to support drapes and blinds.
How to size a window valance.
Many times you will need multiple valances for a single width window.
This method is appropriate in situations where the top of the valance will be at or near the top of the window.
They ve been popular since the renaissance and saw a high point in their use in victorian england.
Curtain fabric this fabric also referred to as fabric a will be the main fabric seen on the front outside of the valance.
When you are discussing gathered valances it usually means you are talking about the pocket type of the valance.
But generally speaking a valance should end up hanging about half an inch to 2 inches beyond each side of the window in its final form.
Depending on where the hardware is located the valance may also need to be wider than the window frame.
For a valance that is gathered and balloon valances figure double the width of your window.
Though valances don t provide privacy they soften the look of bare windows and those covered with shades or blinds.
A 60 inch tall window then would call for a 16 inch deep valance while a 48 inch window calls for a valance about 13 inches deep.
Obviously when going the custom route there is no such thing as a standard valance size.
What about custom size valances.
You can achieve your desired look with any size valance offered.
Valance length is determined by the size of the window and the style of the valance.
For a flat tailored look the valance should be wide enough to cover the width of the rod plus the side returns of the rod.
A valance is often used to hide the rods brackets or other hardware so you will want one large enough to cover these and allow plenty of space between the.
The right way to measure for a valance depends on the valance type and where you plan to mount it.
Use the measurement guides below to determine how much fabric you need.
Again this rule can be adjusted according to the instincts of the designer.
Window valances are treatments that cover the very top of the window.
Typically a valance is 1 5 the length of the implied window length but this is a personal choice.
The valance size will always need to be at least somewhat wider than the window.
So a 40 inch window should be covered by 41 to 44 inches of the valance above it.