How Long Should Window Valances Be

The length of the valance is determined by a number of different elements including its height and the height of other items in the space.

How long should window valances be.

Valance length is determined by the size of the window and the style of the valance. Step 1 determine the size of your valance. For example a fuller pinch pleat valance should have a minimum drop of 8 inches. Your valance should hang between 16 and 21 inches depending on the height of your window.

Typically a valance is 1 5 the length of the implied window length but this is a personal choice. A 60 inch tall window then would call for a 16 inch deep valance while a 48 inch window calls for a valance about 13 inches deep. It should be 10 to 30 inches wider than the window if it s hung over a pair of custom drapes. Measure the width of your window opening or curtain rods and make a note.

As far as finding the right valance for your windows is concerned the market today offers a delightful range in valance patterns and styles so you can be certain to find the exact kind of valances that you need to realize your dream look. Drop and length on a traditional. A valance that is too short or too long will distract the eye. Then decide how long your valance will be.

There are many valances that may have a 36 or 48 inch extra long jabot yet the drop is only 20 inches. If you want to go with a standard size a typical valance is about 14 inches or 36 centimeters long from the lower edge of the rod to the bottom of the hem. Starting at the top of the window opening or curtain rod the valance should be between about 12 and 18 inches deep in most cases around 15 inches. If the valance is gathered its total flat width should be 2 to 3.

Another rule of thumb used by decorators is that the window valance depth should be 1 4 of the overall window height plus 1 inch. A slimmer pencil pleat can have a minimum drop of 6 inches as a window topper. While the temptation is to simply measure the width of your window and use that measurement for the valance this is actually incorrect. Remember that just as with the curtains the valance is going to be scrunched up on the curtain rod.

So how much wider should a valance be than the window then. For most windows a valance should cover about 2 to 6 inches of the top of the window and window frame this is called the window overlap with the rest of the valance covering the wall above the window. When measuring fabric for the width of the valance multiply the width of the window by 1 5 to 3.