Update the Look of Your Blinds With Valances
Hanging valances is a fun and easy way to enhance the look of your window blinds and change the whole demeanor of your room in a matter of minutes! When you first get your blinds, you are no doubt taken with the beauty and craftsmanship of the product. But, like any beloved product, after a period of time, you start thinking of ways to update its look. Valances and draperies provide an endless array of options.
Blinds are generally outfitted with a wood, faux wood or metal valance that covers the blinds' metal housing. These sculpted cornices can be designed to quietly blend in with your blinds, allowing them to have center stage, while others are designed to be ornate handcrafted models complete with embellishments. For heavier wood varieties and those resembling crown molding, make sure to use metal valance clips rather than plastic ones or magnets. You want to be sure your precious investment doesn't come crashing down on you when you pull the cord!
Whimsical Fabrics
If your blind toppers are of the minimalist style, you might want to dress them up with fabric. Fabric valances are as varied as are the selections of fabric. If your current valance boxes fit inside your window's frame, you can attach lightweight metal curtain-rod hardware to the window's frame, being sure to choose rods deep enough so they fit comfortably around the outside of the box, leaving enough space for the fabric. Basic curtain rods like these can hold a variety of styles of valances available at your local discount store, or ones you make yourself out of fabric or sheets. These are so inexpensive they can literally be changed with the season, holiday or even your mood! Just box up your wildflower pattern or pumpkin-print for next season and start shopping for snowmen!
Hardware, Rods and Materials
If you're thinking of something more elegant, you'll need a more substantial rod and brackets. If you want to cover more space or are trying to hang fabric valances over larger cornices, you will need the heavy-metal, expandable brackets and rods available at your local hardware store. These can be mounted on either side of your window frame, above it, or even near the ceiling, if you're planning a longer valance. Rods also come in innumerable styles, shapes, colors and materials. The design of your valance is limited only by your imagination. Gathers, bows, pleats, swags, scarfs or your own concept are all possibilities. Look at pictures online for inspiration, or consult with your local drapery shop or interior decorator.
Add Drapery Panels
Valances are easier and cheaper to change out than whole drapery panels, but sometimes you're trying to achieve a certain look, and only wide swaths of fabric will do. Lend a touch of elegance to your blinds by adding red velvet drapes. A heavy, layered fabric in chintz will bring a refined, country-manor flavor to your room. Pleated or folded damask is light, yet elegant. Jacquard is a real attention-getter, and the right tapestry fabric can all but transport you to another place and time!
Your foray into the fabulous doesn't have to be expensive either €" you can go the Ikea route or scour thrift shops for some unique rods. If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can save yourself a lot of money sewing your own drapes. Check out your local blind store's showroom or look at some catalogs or magazines to give yourself an idea of how to enhance your window blinds with valances or drapes.
Blinds are generally outfitted with a wood, faux wood or metal valance that covers the blinds' metal housing. These sculpted cornices can be designed to quietly blend in with your blinds, allowing them to have center stage, while others are designed to be ornate handcrafted models complete with embellishments. For heavier wood varieties and those resembling crown molding, make sure to use metal valance clips rather than plastic ones or magnets. You want to be sure your precious investment doesn't come crashing down on you when you pull the cord!
Whimsical Fabrics
If your blind toppers are of the minimalist style, you might want to dress them up with fabric. Fabric valances are as varied as are the selections of fabric. If your current valance boxes fit inside your window's frame, you can attach lightweight metal curtain-rod hardware to the window's frame, being sure to choose rods deep enough so they fit comfortably around the outside of the box, leaving enough space for the fabric. Basic curtain rods like these can hold a variety of styles of valances available at your local discount store, or ones you make yourself out of fabric or sheets. These are so inexpensive they can literally be changed with the season, holiday or even your mood! Just box up your wildflower pattern or pumpkin-print for next season and start shopping for snowmen!
Hardware, Rods and Materials
If you're thinking of something more elegant, you'll need a more substantial rod and brackets. If you want to cover more space or are trying to hang fabric valances over larger cornices, you will need the heavy-metal, expandable brackets and rods available at your local hardware store. These can be mounted on either side of your window frame, above it, or even near the ceiling, if you're planning a longer valance. Rods also come in innumerable styles, shapes, colors and materials. The design of your valance is limited only by your imagination. Gathers, bows, pleats, swags, scarfs or your own concept are all possibilities. Look at pictures online for inspiration, or consult with your local drapery shop or interior decorator.
Add Drapery Panels
Valances are easier and cheaper to change out than whole drapery panels, but sometimes you're trying to achieve a certain look, and only wide swaths of fabric will do. Lend a touch of elegance to your blinds by adding red velvet drapes. A heavy, layered fabric in chintz will bring a refined, country-manor flavor to your room. Pleated or folded damask is light, yet elegant. Jacquard is a real attention-getter, and the right tapestry fabric can all but transport you to another place and time!
Your foray into the fabulous doesn't have to be expensive either €" you can go the Ikea route or scour thrift shops for some unique rods. If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can save yourself a lot of money sewing your own drapes. Check out your local blind store's showroom or look at some catalogs or magazines to give yourself an idea of how to enhance your window blinds with valances or drapes.
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