For professional looking windows in your home you can use window valances to accessorize the curtains or drapes.


The valance creates a completed look to the window area and can add a touch of elegance as well. It is not often included in a set of curtains so if you purchase a set such as the café style, you will need to purchase the valance separately. This is because you need a special type of rod to place these items on.

When using café curtains you can place the curtains on a rod that is halfway between the top and bottom of your window. The valance is placed on the rod at the top of your window frame. The design for a valance can be straight across or with draped or hanging sides. Using the styles with the draped sides that enclose the window will create a softer look to the area. A window curtain valance can also come with a straight or ruffled edge to it. The small café styles can be used in a kitchen or bath area to add charm and atmosphere to the room.

You will find some window valance treatments that can be used in combination with other curtains or drapes. When both pieces will be hung from a rod which is above the frame of the window, a double rod is needed. The basic curtain or drape goes on the underneath rod and the top window valance goes on the outside one. This type of design is used to create a more dramatic or formal look for a room and works well in a dining room or living room area. It can also be used to create a formal look to a bedroom.


No matter what room you are decorating, there are a lot of different styles to choose from with valances for windows.

In any room, window valances can look great or they can look over the top and tasteless. Although, of course, we all differ in what we think looks great there a few guiding principles which will help you no matter what your tastes are. The window valances to admire in your kitchen are the ones which are:-

1. Exactly the Right Size

Kitchen windows tend to be quite small so it is important that you do not swamp them with a valance which is too big or which blocks too much light. In fact, if you want to give an impression of a taller window you can hang your kitchen window valances a little higher than normal and just cover the top inch or so of the window.

2. Exactly the Right Style

The kitchen is generally an informal room so a very grand valance with formal swags and tails would normally look out of place. In a country style or family kitchen, look for a valance with soft folds or gathers. In a contemporary kitchen, a simple valance in crisp fabric with a very plain heading such as a tabbed top and no gathers would look good.

3. Exactly the Right Color

Window treatments are a great way to add color to your kitchen and valances are no exception to that. In fact, if you have chosen a kitchen in a neutral color (as many of us do), it is essential to add color using accessories to give your kitchen some character and you can match your curtains and valances to other items in the room such as tablecloths and tea towels. If your kitchen already has a distinctive color, be sure to include the color in the fabric of your window treatments in some way. It is also important to match curtains or blinds with your valance but they do not have to be in exactly the same fabric. You could have a plain blind and then a patterned valance which includes the color of the blind. This looks very effective.