{"id":20599,"date":"2020-12-31T12:47:22","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T20:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=20599"},"modified":"2026-04-17T06:44:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T13:44:15","slug":"are-valences-out-of-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/are-valences-out-of-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Window Valances Stuck in the \u201990s, or Do They Have a Place in Modern Design?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Window valances came into their own during the Victorian era<\/a>, spanning the mid- to late-1800s. Victorian homes were all about lavishness and excess: ornate patterns and flourishes, heavy tapestries, rich wall coverings, and dramatic window treatments were popular home decorations at the time.<\/p>\n

While curtains and draperies insulated homes<\/a> in the winter, cooled them in the summer, and offered privacy from prying eyes, valances have primarily been an aesthetic feature that conceals any hardware or drilled holes at the top of the window, which can sometimes be unsightly.<\/p>\n

But somewhere along the way, valances got saddled with a reputation<\/a> for being outdated and frumpy. Many associate them with the white, lacy, ruffled affairs that might be seen on Grandma\u2019s windows, or the shapeless, low-quality, garishly patterned versions that gave valances a bad name in the \u201970s, \u201980s, \u201990s.<\/p>\n

So are valances out of style, definitively? We asked half a dozen sought-after interior designers to weigh in from across the country on the fate of valances in modern design. As you redecorate your home or prepare to stage it for the market, keep their advice and photos (which they were kind enough to share!) in mind.<\/p>\n

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Faux Roman valance frames Manhattan view<\/h2>\n

Kathie Chrisicos<\/a>, one of New England\u2019s most respected interior designers and former president of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), believes when it comes to styling with valances, less is more. She, among other designers we spoke with, often recommends the streamlined faux Roman shade:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf designed and implemented correctly, the faux Roman can be an elegant solution to either disguise the top mechanism of a shade or to add fabric and warmth to a room.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this Manhattan kitchen, Chrisicos used a simple valance that tied in with the neutral color scheme and helped soften the space without impeding the city views:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Chrisicos Interiors<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chrisicos used soft, Roman-style valances in a creamy, neutral shade to soften this seating area without blocking the natural light:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Chrisicos Interiors<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arched valance ties together bathroom design<\/h2>\n

Amy Youngblood<\/a>, a designer in Cincinnati, Ohio who has been designing residential interiors for more than 20 years, still uses valances in her spaces, although she says the look and feel of them has completely changed from the days of swags and jabots<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Valances aren\u2019t limited to kitchen and living areas. Youngblood used an arched valance as a finishing touch for this modern bathroom:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Amy Youngblood<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In another design by Youngblood, a simple valance is mounted over a transom to frame the top of the window. The dark brown banding pulls in the light fixture:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Amy Youngblood<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Valance livens up neutral kitchen<\/h2>\n

Jess Harrington<\/a>, owner of Boston-based staging and design firm<\/a> JessFinessed, says valances were a peak treatment option in the \u201990s, especially jewel tones, pastels and country-style prints. These days, most of her clients prefer bare windows if light filtering and privacy aren\u2019t a concern. However, sometimes she\u2019ll incorporate valances. This sleek patterned valance adds a modern touch and splash of color to an otherwise monochromatic kitchen:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Jess Harrington<\/a>, StyledbyKG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Custom valance pairs with unique artwork<\/h2>\n

Award-winning luxury interior designer Pamela O\u2019Brien<\/a> of Pamela Hope Designs, based in Houston, Texas, says that decorative window treatments \u2014 including valances \u2014 are alive and well in her area, although they\u2019ve changed a lot since the days of the matronly, ornate styles of past decades.<\/p>\n

She opts for simple, streamlined valances paired with functional blinds or shades. \u201cWe use valances to help raise the eye, sometimes creating the illusion of a taller window,\u201d she says. \u201cWe also use them to create interest on a large wall or a wall with a lot of large windows.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this design, O\u2019Brien created a shaped, upholstered cornice to complement the client\u2019s artwork. A solid pink fabric was used to create a subtle contrast welt:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Pamela Hope Designs<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here, O\u2019Brien used a valance to add height and drama to a colorful bedroom. She selected a neat, menswear-style, black-and-white fabric and lined the pleats with solid black to create depth:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Pamela Hope Designs<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flat valance complements living room design<\/b><\/h2>\n

New York City based interior designer Cathy Hobbs<\/a> appeared on Good Morning America and was a finalist in the HGTV series Design Star. <\/i>Her staging firm serves the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. In this design by Hobbs, flat valances add an additional subtle pattern to warm up this living\/dining space:<\/p>\n

\"Floral<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Cathy Hobbs<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What to look for when selecting a valance<\/h2>\n

Now that you\u2019ve seen some excellent examples of how valances can be used in modern interior design, you may be eager to funnel the inspiration into your own home. Every window and every room is unique, so there\u2019s no such thing as a universal valance.<\/p>\n

The shape and size of the window, the design and colors of the room, any mechanical limitations for installation, and personal preference are all factors to consider when shopping for toppers. The designers we spoke with shared the most important things they look for when selecting valances to enhance their clients\u2019 windows:<\/p>\n

Fit<\/h3>\n

Youngblood prefers valances to fit snugly, ideally outside the moulding, approximately 1-1\/2\u201d beyond the mounting on each side and in proportion with the width of the window. She also likes to mount valances higher if possible, to give the illusion of more height in the room.<\/p>\n

And the old \u201cmeasure twice, cut once\u201d rule applies here. Kitchy Crouse<\/a>, an interior designer in Southern California who was named \u201cBest of Houzz<\/a>\u201d for design, stresses the importance of getting the windows measured by a professional before purchasing valances.<\/p>\n

\u201cWindows can be tricky, as the bottom measurement usually doesn’t match with the top one,\u201d she explains. \u201cAnd because valances are made to a custom size, you can’t return them if something goes wrong.\u201d Some window treatment companies will offer measuring services for free or for a small fee.<\/p>\n

Fabric<\/h3>\n

Most window valances are made from<\/a> cotton, chintz (a high-sheen cotton), jacquards (cotton or polyester with a pattern woven into the fabric), woven polyester, or a blend of cotton\/rayon or cotton\/linen. Silk valances are also an option, but they aren\u2019t as durable or water-resistant, so a quality liner is important.<\/p>\n

When choosing a valance fabric<\/a>, Crouse matches it to any existing window treatments and furnishings for a cohesive look. She prefers a mid-weight fabric. But a\u00a0room\u2019s natural light is another big factor to consider when choosing a valance fabric.<\/p>\n

\u201cPay attention to the way light hits the room throughout different times of day, and be mindful of how much light you prefer,\u201d Harrington recommends. \u201cYou can choose a light-filtering liner or a blackout liner. Or, opt for a top-down shade that allows you to pull the shade down from the top, giving you the benefit of letting plenty of light through while maintaining privacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Design<\/h3>\n

Youngblood\u2019s go-to valance is a simple box style for modern spaces or an arched valance for more traditional rooms. If the main fabric is very light and neutral, she often adds a 2\u201d-3\u201d banding<\/a> at the base to add visual interest. Some of the designers we chatted with also incorporate a contrasting welt<\/a> for a pop of style.<\/p>\n

Inside vs. outside mount<\/h3>\n

When it comes to the \u201cins or outs\u201d of mounting window valances, the short answer is: It depends. Youngblood ideally likes to mount outside of the moulding, as she thinks it frames the window nicely. But in \u201cquirky\u201d older homes, she occasionally mounts to the moulding when there is no space available outside for mounting.<\/p>\n

For bedrooms, Crouse points out that using an inside mount will leave a little gap where light can come in. If you want full blackout, choose an outside mount to eliminate that ambient light.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Kelly Sikkema \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Should valances come off when selling your home?<\/h2>\n

Like everything else in the world of windows, the question of whether to remove<\/a> a valance when staging<\/a> and showing a home depends on the specifics of the situation. Christie Wilkins<\/a>, a top real estate agent in Duluth, Georgia, says that if her sellers have valances that are more dated-looking, she\u2019ll recommend removing them before selling. But if they\u2019re more of a modern style and complement the home\u2019s aesthetic, it may be OK to leave them. \u201cIt\u2019s really a case-by-case basis,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

If any of these apply to a valance, it\u2019s probably a good idea to remove it:<\/p>\n