Custom Cornices & Valances
Getting the hang of custom window treatments doesn’t have to be tricky when you shop with the design team at Pugerudes, even top treatments like custom cornices and valances can be an effortless addition. You may think of valances as outdated, droopy overhangs that adorned your grandmother’s drapery, but top treatments have come a very long way in the past years.
Cornices & Valances: What’s the Difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably but there is a difference between the two window top treatments. Both offer aesthetic appeal and enhanced functionality of your window treatments, but in different ways.
Cornices
Cornices are most often made of wood covered with fabric and are attached to a frame over your window. Window cornices are used to add style and texture to your windows. A cornice board is also great for covering window hardware and blocking unwanted light from coming in around the top of your shades or blinds. You can have a cornice made in a variety of colors and styles to either blend with your existing decor or create a statement-making pop atop your window.
Choosing the Right Custom Cornice or Valance for Your Needs
Selecting the right custom cornice or valance depends on your desired aesthetic and functionality:
For Style and Light Control:
Valances: Ideal for adding a touch of softness, color, and pattern to your window treatments. They come in various styles like waterfall, balloon, and straight, offering light filtering and enhancing the overall look
.Cornices: Create a more structured and defined look. They can be upholstered in fabric to complement your decor or painted for a bolder statement. Cornices effectively block light from above the window treatment, perfect for bedrooms or media rooms
Considering Space and Hardware:
.Valances: Well-suited for windows with ample space above them. They can visually shorten a tall window or add drama to a high ceiling room
.Cornices: Perfect for windows with limited space above them. They can conceal unsightly hardware and create a clean, finished look.
Valances
Valances are made of fabric and are attached to the curtain or drapery rod. You can think of a valance as a shorter form of drapery that adds depth and texture to your window treatments and accents your room as a whole. The main difference between the two top treatments is the material used for construction. Fabric valances also create a touch of softness while a wood valance adds substance and distinctive lines to your room. You can select your choice of fabric from our extensive library or Design Studio™ fabrics from Hunter Douglas.
Now that you know what’s different between the two types of window top treatments, let’s explore the ways you can use a cornice or valance to create the aesthetic you want in your home.
Texture
Our first stop is texture. The significance of texture is often underestimated but it can really make or break the look you’re going for. You can have a monochromatic aesthetic that’s anything but boring thanks to, you guessed it, texture. A perk of using a top treatment for texture is that you can change out your cornice or valance much easier, and for less money, than you can change your window treatments or redecorate an entire room.
Color
Cornice boards and valances are another great spot for taking a style risk. Sure, you can stick to your existing color theme and have your valance look fantastic, but you can also try out something outside your comfort zone in a vivid or contrasting hue. You can also use a top treatment to play up a favored accent color from the space. Remember that using a color multiple times in a room creates a cohesive look which is always a plus. If you’re unsure whether a color will mesh well with the rest of your room, simply ask one of our design team members. We’re always happy to help.
Your cornices and valances are an interesting way to incorporate increased light control and decorative appeal. Use a valance adorned with strands of small beads and fairy lights in your dining room for a romantic vibe. A wood valance can double as a shelf to show off your favorite hardcover books or family treasures. Both styles can also double as a coverup for window trim, or architectural features that you would like to cover over.
Contact Us
Pugerudes has been the premier resource for custom window treatments since 1956 and we keep getting better with each new generation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for window treatments, exterior sun shades, home accents, and much more. Our spacious showroom is in Kent, WA, and we are happy to serve Kent, WA, and the entire Greater Seattle area, including Auburn, Black Diamond, Normandy Park, Newcastle, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Maple Valley, Renton, Burien & Federal Way.