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How Do I Choose the Best Vertical Blind Valance?

Judith Smith Sullivan
Judith Smith Sullivan

The best vertical blind valance will be the correct size for your window or doorway, match the other decor in the room, and fit into your budget. There are many types of vertical blind valances from cloth to wood. You can find them through online retailers, home improvement stores, and interior design shops.

Before you begin shopping for a vertical blind valance, you should measure the window or doorway, including the hardware box of the vertical blinds themselves. Know the minimum width and depth. If you want to create the illusion of a wider window or door, order a slightly wider valance with wider vertical blinds.

Woman holding a book
Woman holding a book

Standard height rooms of eight to nine feet typically require a valance that is deep enough to encase the hardware box of the vertical blinds, with a height of eight to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm). There are smaller valances if you want a simple, no-frills wrap for the hardware box. For rooms with very tall ceilings of more than nine feet (about 3 meters) in height, you may want a longer vertical blind valance of up to 24 inches (about 60 cm). The longer valance will look more balanced.

Be careful not to choose a valance that covers a significant portion of window or door space. Doors still need to be functional and allow passage, and windows should still let in a great deal of light. If you are losing light, the valance is probably too long.

Valances are typically made of fabric and stained or painted wood. To decide what's best for your space, consider the surrounding decor. The vertical blind valance should match the style and colors of the room. Wooden valances can be incorporated into existing architectural details through the use of woodwork, like molding. They should be painted to match the trim of the room.

You can also choose a wooden valance that does not have a "built in" look. These come in a variety of designs and stains. Be sure to choose a wood finish that is in the same family as the other finishes in the room.

Fabric valances can be feminine or masculine, and since you can have them custom made from any fabric, they offer the greatest number of choices. For a valance that makes a bold statement, choose a contrasting color or even a print that incorporates the wall color and accent colors throughout the room. Solid colors that are a slightly different shade of your wall color will blend in. Cotton is a traditional, casual fabric, while silk, satin, and velvet offer more luxurious options.

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