CUSTOM WINDOW VALANCES & SWAGS

Whether drawing gazes in the entryway or adding excitement in the living room, curtain valances are making a big comeback. With over 3000 stunning fabrics to choose from, Spiffy Spools is updating this decorating staple with modern prints and on-trend styles. So order your custom window valances today to add a colourful punch to windows while softening the light in your room and creating the perfect ambience.

Window Valance Key Styles

Valances are great decor elements as they add an ornamental topping to the window. Spiffy Spools’ valances come in two kinds based on the style of mounting: board mounted valances and pole mounted valances. Our board mounted valances provide a structured, formal look that turns window treatments into opulent focal points. In contrast, but equally delightful, pole mounted valances lend an informal, intimate touch to casual living spaces. Let’s take you through the details of both the styles.

Board Mounted Valances

In this style, the valance is mounted on a lumber board with velcro, and affixed onto the wall above the window. We send these valances pre-mounted on board with all required hardware, which also makes them simple to install, clean and maintain. 

The board base renders the valance a highly structured and tailored look, which is especially well-suited for formal spaces like living rooms. They hide the hardware of the drapes and if you’re one who doesn’t like the metallic fixtures showing up, this style would be ideal for you. Board-mounted valances add presence to a room and allow you to have greater control over your creative vision.

Pole Mounted Valances

This style of valance is hung on a pole, just like drapes. Pole-mounted valances are either stitched with a rod pocket on top or have pinched headers to use with curtain rings and clips. Our rod pocket valances do not come with any hardware, but you may want to consider the following when shopping with us: 

Single pole. If you are hanging your custom window valances standalone without curtains or over your roman shades, you’d need a single-pole hardware configuration.

Double pole set. When you want to use your custom valances as an ‘over-treatment’, consider a double pole set with two poles, one behind another. The front pole holds the valance and conceals the hardware of the second pole, which holds the drapery.

Apart from the classification as per the mounting method, valances can be categorized further into four kinds based on their appearance:

• Flat front valances: The flat valances with their uncluttered frontage are perfectly at home in minimalist settings. Bold patterns get an undisturbed surface to display their play of shapes and colors vividly. Go for the straight bottoms for a structured look or for the scalloped bottoms for a softer, informal vibe.
• Gathered valances: The gathered top valances in grommets, rod pockets, and tab tops are excellent additions to a casual space. Small patterned and plain fabrics are apt for these valances.
• Pinch pleated valances: Pinch pleats, inverted box pleats, and euro pleats have tailored intricacies involved which suit a formal traditional decor. Solid colored fabrics bring out the best of those classic stitched-in pleats.
• Opulent swags: Swags, sheffield, and scallops with interjected pleats offer a more opulent option for plush settings. These are better for homes that are designed in traditional style. 

Style Notes

Here are some helpful tips from our stylists as you design your custom window valances and swags:

Scale correctly: Choose the right pattern. Some motifs can overwhelm delicate window treatments. Large patterns that will get cut off at awkward length will diminish the impact of your carefully chosen valances. Our stylists recommend considering the scale of the pattern and ordering fabric samples before making a final decision.

Keep up decor style: Factor in the overall aesthetic of the room in your valance purchase. Going for a modern, minimalist feel in a Scandinavian-styled lining room? Choose valance styles with straight lines and minimal pleating in shorter lengths. If you live in a period home, embrace tradition with valances embellished with ornamental pleats or “pinches.” Add decadent swags and ornamental tassels to create a Victorian window treatment in a classically-styled dining room! Choose from jacquard, floral and other patterns that reflect the ambiance of the room.

Standalones: Valances need not be used with curtains always; they are decor elements in themselves. They also cut off a certain amount of sunlight. Overall, they provide a lovely excuse to bring in some vibrance and color where window treatments are not required to provide privacy or light control. Faux roman shades valances are highly recommended for standalones as they look like shades drawn open.

With inset roman shades: For windows with roman shades mounted in the recess, a valance topping is a nice way to bring a contrast of hues and designs. Say, if your shades are made from solid fabrics, a patterned valance can bring an element of interest. 

With curtains: Valances and drapes have been a celebrated couple for centuries now. Layered window treatments provide better light control and more insulation in the home and help to cut thereby your power bills.

Unify various treatments: It’s only apt for certain windows to be dressed in roman shades or curtains and others in blinds or shutters. After all, the purpose of window treatments is not just to decorate a space, it is also to provide the right kind of means for light control. But different window treatments showing up in the same room may look non-cohesive. Here valances can play a key role in binding all the various treatments under one common style. The trick is to choose a fabric that can match or complement all of them.

Select style with forethought: Pole-mounted valances make a great fit for casual spaces, like your bedroom or informal sitting room. Since the hardware still shows, pole-mounted valances may be less suited for formal settings such as your home office or formal living room. For these areas, we recommend board-mounted valances which have a more architectural finish. Also, pay attention to the stitching style. The scalloped styles, swags, and the like look out of place in minimalistically designed homes, and the matter-of-fact ones certainly don’t chime with extravagant detailed interiors.

Spiffy Tip: Most fabric bolts come in standard widths of 54 inches. This means that most valances of width greater than 48 inches will need vertical joining hems to achieve the extra width. These are unavoidable and standard industry practice.

Valances, as elements of visual interest grace the windows with beauty, dimension and depth. Bring your favorite patterns and hues to your home with these beautiful additions to your home decor. With over a dozen styles of valances available at Spiffy Spools’ you’re sure to find a suitable one no matter what style of decor you follow. So, go browsing and happy shopping!

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