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If you've ever walked into a room and felt like something's missing above the window, you were sensing the absence of a valance or cornice. These finishing touches are like the frame around a painting — they focus attention, hide hardware, and give a room instant polish. Unlike full-length drapes that hog the spotlight, valances and cornices work quietly at the top of the window, balancing proportions and adding personality. Whether you want a soft, gathered look or a crisp, tailored header, valances and cornices are small changes that can produce big visual returns, especially when you pair them with the right blinds, shades, or curtains.
Swag valances drape in soft curves and feel romantic, almost like a gentle wave at the top of your window. They're perfect for traditional living rooms or formal dining areas where you want to evoke elegance without heavy drapery. If your window is about 48 inches to 72 inches wide, a swag that hangs down 6 inches to 10 inches in the center can add the right amount of drama without blocking too much light. Think of a swag as a silk scarf tossed over a curtain rod — it softens and dresses up the whole ensemble.
Tailored valances are the straight‑forward professionals of window treatments: clean lines, crisp corners, and a structured look that reads modern or transitional depending on fabric and trim. Box-pleat versions create visual depth with little fabric folds that run the width of the window. These styles are excellent above windows that already have lots going on — busy upholstery or patterned walls — because they provide a neat frame without competing for attention.
Balloon valances puff out slightly and feel playful, which makes them a favorite for kids’ rooms or cozy breakfast nooks. Gathered valances bunch fabric along a rod to create a soft, full look that’s easy to DIY if you know how to sew a simple casing. For windows under 36 inches wide, small balloon valances can add a cute, cottage-like vibe without overwhelming the space.
Cornices — also known as pelmets — are rigid boxes that attach above the window. They can be covered in fabric, painted wood, or upholstered, and they offer a tailored, architectural presence. A typical cornice depth is 4 inches to 8 inches for shallow trim, but for a bold statement you might choose 12 inches deep; just make sure you won’t obstruct natural light or the operation of shades or blinds. Cornices are great at masking curtain rods, mounting brackets, and other window hardware while also acting as a mini-shelf for decorative trim or moldings.
Scalloped and cascading valances add movement and softness through curved or layered edges. Scalloped valances introduce gentle waves across the top of the window, while cascading styles drop longer panels at the sides like a waterfall. These options blend well with floral or shabby-chic decor and are a clever way to soften hard architectural lines such as crown molding or exposed beams.
Choosing material is part practicality, part personality. Lightweight cottons and linens wash easily and breathe well, so they’re ideal for kitchens and casual rooms. Velvet, silk, and heavy jacquard feel luxurious and block more light, making them great for formal living areas and bedrooms. For cornices, common construction materials include MDF or lightweight plywood wrapped with batting and fabric, or kiln-dried wood covered with upholstery. If you’re installing cornices in a humid bathroom, opt for moisture-resistant wood or painted MDF with sealed edges. And remember: lining matters — a blackout lining will help with privacy and insulation, while a simple interlining adds body without heavy light-blocking.
Measure twice, hang once — especially for window treatments. For valances, measure the width of the window opening in inches and add 6 inches to 12 inches total (3 inches to 6 inches per side) to allow for overlap and a polished look. If your window is 48 inches wide, cut the valance width to about 54 inches to 60 inches. For cornices, measure the width and decide how many inches you want the cornice to extend beyond the window frame; a typical choice is 2 inches to 4 inches per side for a subtle frame, or 6 inches per side for a bold, architectural look. Height is also important: valances commonly drop 6 inches to 12 inches below the top of the window, while cornices are usually 6 inches to 10 inches tall to maintain proportion. Depth depends on profile preference and blind operation — 4 inches to 8 inches is common for cornices, and 6 inches to 12 inches for fuller valances.
Wayfair is a go-to for huge selections and quick searches — you’ll find ready-made valances, cornice boards, and fabric-covered pelmets in a range of sizes and finishes. Prices vary from budget-friendly ready-made valances around $20 to $200+ for more elaborate cornices, and Wayfair’s filters help you narrow choices by width in inches, height in inches, and price range.
Both Home Depot and Lowe's stock hardware-friendly cornices, DIY kits, and wooden pelmet supplies if you like to build or paint your own. These stores are handy if you need tools or fasteners, and they often carry MDF or trim boards in lengths measured in feet — for example, a 4-foot or 8-foot board that you can cut to fit your window. If you plan to paint a cornice, these stores also offer primers and moisture-resistant options for bathrooms or kitchens.
Need an inexpensive, stylish valance that ships fast? Target and Walmart deliver wardrobe-friendly styles in cotton blends and polyester at low price points. For windows under 60 inches, you can often find ready-made valances for under $40, which is perfect when you want a quick update without committing to custom work.
Amazon marketplace gives you everything from budget valances to niche handmade cornices. Use width and drop filters to find exact fits in inches, and read reviews for real-world advice on fullness and fabric weight. Prime shipping is a bonus if you’re on a tight deadline for staging a room or finishing a refresh.
If precise fit and high-quality materials matter, custom shops like The Shade Store and Blinds.com deliver made-to-measure valances and cornices in inches, with professional templates and install options. They’ll help you choose the right lining, suggest paintable wood finishes, and offer motorized shade compatibility — perfect for windows that need both beauty and function.
For curated styles and designer fabrics, Pottery Barn and West Elm offer stylish valances and cornices that match their broader home collections. Anthropologie leans boho and eclectic, with valances that feature unique trims and textures. These retailers often provide detailed measurements in inches in the product descriptions so you can confirm fit before ordering.
Etsy is a treasure trove of artisan valances and bespoke cornices, especially if you want one-of-a-kind fabric or handmade trims. Local upholstery shops and curtain makers can also create a cornice in inches that matches your window’s exact width and depth while allowing for specialty finishes like nailhead trim or hand-stitched welting.
Feeling crafty? You can sew a simple gathered valance in a couple of hours or build a cornice box in an afternoon with basic tools. For a DIY cornice, cut MDF to your desired width and height in inches — a common starter size is 48 inches wide by 8 inches tall by 6 inches deep — assemble with wood glue and screws, cover with batting for softness, and wrap in fabric stapled on the back. For sewn valances, cut fabric to a width that is 1.5 times the window width for a gathered look, hem the edges, and create a rod pocket that fits a 1-inch or 1.25-inch diameter curtain rod. Think of DIY as a dress rehearsal: inexpensive, fun, and fully customizable.
In the living room, match your valance fabric to throw pillows or a rug to create cohesion. If you have tall ceilings, mount valances and cornices a few inches above the window frame — or even closer to the ceiling — to visually raise the room. For windows that are 72 inches or taller, longer valances that drop 10 inches to 14 inches can balance the scale nicely.
Bedrooms benefit from heavier fabrics and lined cornices for privacy and insulation. Add a blackout lining to reduce early morning light and use a cornice depth of 6 inches to 10 inches for a solid, cozy feel without making the room feel boxed in.
Choose washable fabrics or vinyl-covered cornices in kitchens and bathrooms where moisture and splashes are more likely. Short valances that drop 4 inches to 6 inches work well over kitchen sinks and small bathroom windows, keeping light while offering a dash of style.
Prices vary a lot depending on size, fabric, and whether you buy ready-made or custom. Expect to pay $20 to $60 for basic ready-made valances under 60 inches, $60 to $250 for designer-ready options or upholstered valances, and $150 to $600+ for custom cornices built and wrapped in premium fabric. If you DIY, materials for a medium-sized cornice (about 48 inches wide) might run $30 to $100 in MDF, batting, and fabric, not counting tools. Think of budget ranges like tiers — economy, mid-range, and custom — and pick the tier that matches how long you want the treatment to last and how much character you want it to add.
Caring for valances and cornices keeps them looking fresh. Fabric valances usually come with care labels — many machine-wash cold and line-dry, while heavier or lined versions might need dry cleaning. Vacuum fabric valances regularly with a soft brush attachment to remove dust in inches of fluff rather than letting it mat into the fibers. For wood or painted cornices, dust with a microfiber cloth and touch up paint chips with a small brush. If your cornice has upholstery, spot-clean spills right away and consider having it professionally cleaned every few years to preserve the fabric's color and texture.
Window valances and cornices may be small pieces of a room, but they punch well above their weight in style and function. Whether you choose a ready-made swag from a major retailer, commission a custom cornice from a boutique maker, or build your own DIY pelmet, the right top treatment ties the room together and hides the clutter of hardware. Think in inches when you measure, pick materials that match the room’s use, and pick a style that complements your decor — and you’ll be surprised by how much of a difference a thoughtful valance or cornice makes.
| Window Valances & Cornices | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Hughes Vintage Print Cotton Drapery Pleated - Dusty Blue Rh-jt1 | $ 119,- |
