Dress your curtains, drapes, blinds or shutters with extraordinary window valances. If you’re looking for something more dramatic than matching fabric valances, here are five great ideas you can use in your home or office. From wood to foam cut-outs, you can make a stand-out window treatment. It’s easier than you think. Let me show you how.
1 – Molding
Create eye-catching valances with layers of molding. Start with a plain piece of lumber, add a furring strip about two inches up from the bottom and then top it with a piece of crown molding. Fill in the cracks with a little bit of latex caulk and paint the entire assembly to unify the moldings into one big, beautiful valance. Attach it to the wall with simple metal brackets and hang your curtains or drapes for a fabulous look.
2 – Custom Woodwork
A custom-built wood valance can be a stunning focal point in any room. If you or someone you know loves woodworking, you should consider making a wood valance with a stately presence. Build a large box base from furniture-grade plywood in an arch or other decorative shape. Then layer on molding and other trim work – including multiple layers of large crown molding on top. Inset leather or other materials within the moldings for added drama.
3 – Themed Cut-Outs
Carry the decorative theme in your space to the window treatments by mounting cut-outs on a long piece of wood hung with metal brackets above your curtains or blinds. You don’t need to be an artist for this project. Just find shapes in your theme with an Internet search and print them with your color printer. Cut them out and use adhesive spray to mount them on foam board. Arrange the shapes on your wood base and viola – you’ve got a custom theme valance for any room.
4 – Between the Panels
For an unusual use of a stationary valance, mount a large decorative piece of wood or artwork between your curtains instead of on top. It’s an unconventional way to bring interest to a simple set of fabric panels that will definitely command attention.
5 – Integrated Shelving
Combining a shelf, a curtain rod and a short fabric valance gives you an excellent topper for curtains, blinds or shutters and a place to display decorative items above. Paint the shelf and rod to match your window trim to unify the elements for a custom look.
Check out the pictures in the Extraordinary Valances ideabook on Houzz. You’ll get terrific ideas for valance treatments you can use in your home or office. Maybe they will inspire you to create an extraordinary valance as part of your next decorating project.
Enjoy more home decor ideas from Terry Mulligan:
Ideas for Rustic Furniture
How to create a shabby chic finish
And then there was light – How to make a lamp out of just about anything