It's great to match a solid color drape with a patterned valance, but we don't recommend trying to match a polka dot valance with plaid drapes. You can, however, match floral valances with lace curtains, or striped curtains with plaid valances — whatever you want, we can help make work!
Hanging a valance and curtains over your window will add dimension, texture and style to any room.
Are valances in style? Although they are something more often found in a period property, a window valance can be as 'in style' as the fabric it's made from. Choose a ditsy trad floral and it won't look contemporary, however, using a modern print and an 'on trend' color will give it a more updated look.
The easiest way to use different window treatments is to keep your window treatments the same color. Subtle differences in texture work well if the overall color is the same, and if you choose completely different styles, you can still have a cohesive space.
Valances can have more potential to look dated than other window treatments, like blinds or curtains. This is because they have been popular in interior design for over a century, although they've fallen in and out with specific trend eras.
Valances may seem outdated, but they're making a comeback as more young homeowners want to give their homes a traditional, nostalgic feel. Valances look especially great on tall windows and add texture and warmth to a room.
The curtain colors you choose can have a dramatic effect on your environment and your mood. Warm colors like reds, oranges and golds tend to feel inviting. Cool colors like blues and greens incite relaxation. Stark colors like black, white and gray are refreshing to some, but unsightly to others.
Don't fret—if you can't decide which you want, you can use blinds and curtains together! Smartly paired, these window dressings provide maximum light and privacy flexibility while enhancing the room's warmth and ambiance.
The short answer is: it depends! We recommend sticking to a common element in terms of color, fabric, or style. For example, if you want some blinds and some shutters, you could use the same color wood. For homes with varying styles in each room, you may want to focus on cohesion on a room-by-room basis instead.
By utilizing floor length, thicker curtains, you can give the illusion that the window space is bigger than it actually is. ' Louise Wicksteed, Design Director of Sims Hilditch agrees, 'Floor-length curtains frame a window beautifully and lead the eye downward, helping a window to appear larger.
Cons of valances
Valances are visually quite heavy, so they are best restricted to larger, taller windows; otherwise, your room will feel darker and more enclosed as a result. Because of the pleats, the will gather dust, too, so bear in mind that they will have to be part of your curtain cleaning routine.
This translates to 1 to 2 inches below the ceiling line or crown molding. You'll have more freedom to hang the valance as you desire in a room with higher ceilings, but it's best to still hang it high. With 9- or 10-foot ceilings, the valance should hang at least halfway between the top of the window and ceiling.
Valances can be used to create a border around the tops of any roller shade or blinds. They also provide an extra layer that helps insulate your room against temperature changes and prevent drafts from coming in through open windows.
Your curtains or other window treatments in adjoining rooms don't have to be exactly the same, but similar styles or colors will work well. In some situations, you may want to mismatch on purpose. For example, you may want to bring attention to a specific window or even a set of windows.
To make a plain valance, first measure the width of your window. Multiply this width by 1-1/2. The length of the valance should be 1/4 the window height plus one inch.
Curtains don't have to match your furniture. Still, if they are the same style, texture, or color or are in colors that complement your couch, they can add to your desired look and achieve a unified look. That also speaks for the walls.
Consistency is key in good interior design, and mixing and matching different styles of drapery in one room shouldn't be done without good reason. “Generally, if all the windows are the same size,” Jacobson advises, “I would recommend the same style window treatment throughout.”
Overall, you should be looking to have a coordinated curtain and wall color combination, helping to add texture and help make your curtains look expensive and stand out, but not matching, unless a coordinated room is the look you want to achieve.
How Wide Should Curtains Be? To ensure that panels look ample and drapey when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2½ times the width of the window. Exceptions: If you're hanging curtains just to frame a window and don't intend to shut them, you can round down to 1½ times the width.
We often get asked the question 'do curtains and blinds work together? ' The answer is, for the most part, 'yes' – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control.
Mirror your wall color
Whether you embraced dark or light paint ideas, choosing curtains that match your wall color will blend both elements together as one, and work to establish a more calming and restful atmosphere where there are fewer visual disruptions.
Keep it Cozy
A warm beige or taupe curtain is a great way to add warmth to your living space. Keep the rest of your furniture light and airy and let the curtains add a moody element to your room.