How To Choose Valances for Living Room Windows

Choosing valances for living room windows can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! Welcome to our guide on selecting elegant living room valances. In this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about choosing and hanging valance curtains and find valance curtain ideas for your home.

What is a valance?

A valance is a short curtain panel that you hang at the top of a window frame. That’s really it! You can hang these classic, versatile window treatments in a variety of ways: with cafe curtains, sheer curtain panels, blinds, shades, or solo. You might want to use a valance to frame a view, create the illusion of a taller window, keep drapery hardware out of sight, or bring a dash of color and texture into a room.

Are valances out of style?

No, valances themselves aren’t out of style. There might be certain types of valance curtains that, when used in conjunction with older decor, might look out of date. However, today’s valances tend to have straight lines, which totally update the look of these window treatments.

Light and airy with beautiful colors and patterns, our semi-sheer valances feature delicate hand beaded trim and authentic, original block print designs. Designed in Petaluma, CA, our fair-trade valance curtains are handmade in Rajasthan, India using the heritage-rich craft of block printing. Artisanal goods and handcrafted linens that make a difference in the world–these elegant living room valances never go out of style.

Choosing valance curtains for your living room windows

When choosing living room valances, first consider the size of the windows. Do you have smaller windows, or do yours run long? Also determine how much privacy you need in this space. This will determine how you hang your valances. Hanging the curtains ‘high and wide” outside of the window trim (as seen in the above photo) makes for the most modern look and makes the most of the window and the view it offers. However, you can certainly mount the valance inside the trim if you want to minimize the view outside of the window or if you’d like to showcase beautiful woodwork.

You’ll also want to assess how much privacy you need in your living room. For example, if your living room is at the front of the house, you might prefer the functionality and versatility of pairing a living room valance with a blind or shade. Another option (if you have very long living room windows) would include layering a full-length sheer curtain beneath the valance.

Another option would be to pair a valance with a cafe curtain (link) for a pretty window treatment that’s elegant without feeling too formal. This is especially appropriate in a cottage style living room, a lake house, or a casual family room. For shorter living room windows where privacy isn’t as much of a concern, you can hang the valance on its own.

Living room valance curtains: by style and color

The last item for your consideration: your style of decor! You’ll want to connect your new valance curtains to the rest of your living room decor (unless you’re starting a room design from scratch). For example, you may wish to tie in your valance curtain color with a hue from a rug or a throw pillow. Likewise, you may want to hang curtains that offer a level of contrasting lightness or darkness from the wall color. On the other hand, you might want your curtains to blend naturally, staying within a shade or two of the paint on the walls.

Alternatively, you might not be as concerned about a particular color as much as you are a particular design style. Whether you lean more towards an eclectic, global style of decorating or gravitate towards different kinds of cottage looks, we have a valance curtain for you and your living room. Here are some of our favorite sheer valances for your living room windows. Simply scroll through to see farmhouse valances, French country window treatments, orange curtains, and more!

A farmhouse valance for easy, elegant style

White valances here. Grey and white valance. Namely: ( cannot go wrong with a solid white valance that has a gentle pattern). For a modern farmhouse look, grey and white is a must. In a farmhouse that has more of a classic country cottage curtain will (look at right at home) with Ivy Lace. Royal Mansour, Royal Mansour Quart, and Ivy Lace.

Classic white & blue valances for living rooms

Just like your favorite pair of jeans, a blue and white valance can dress a room up or down. It all depends on the style of your decor and the feelings you want the space to evoke. Choose from traditional blue and white floral patterns, indigo batiks, Moroccan patterns, and more.

Sunny yellow valances for living room windows

Did you know that interior designers recommend hanging yellow curtains in rooms that could use a bit more natural light? It’s one of the easiest ways to warm up a space and mimic the effects of natural sunlight.

Dark greys and brown valances for a cozy living room

Reach for rich, earthy neutrals when you want your living room to serve as a cozy space for reading, sipping wine, and unwinding. These colors are calming and promote feelings of security and comfort. A brown valance (or a dark charcoal grey curtain) will help you create those peaceful vibes in no time.

Warm up the living room with fiery hues

Conversely, you might find warm colors just as cozy as earth tones or as peaceful as cool blue hues. Warm colors are known to energize a space. You’ll definitely enliven a neutral living room by hanging red or orange valance curtains from the living room windows!

Effortless elegance with French country valances

A love for botanical prints, antiques, and the general look of casual sophistication all speaks to French country cottage style. Our French country valance curtains are just the thing for this type of interior design.

Coastal valances in nautical navy

You don’t have to live at the water’s edge to decorate your home in coastal style. From white sheer panels to navy blue valances, our elegant coastal valance curtains help you achieve a dreamy coastal design in no time.

A floral valance curtain for every window

Each of our floral print intends to whisk your imagination lush scenery. From English wildflower gardens, tropical locales, and sweet flower beds filled with perennials, these patterns are transportive. Decorate with floral patterns to create a fresh, happy space in your home.

Beautiful bohemian valances with beads

Boho valances have come a long way from the swingy, beaded curtains of the 60s and 70s. Our bohemian valance curtains have delicate hand beaded trim but they also contain imagery inspired by rich symbolism (as seen in the lotus flower and in the cosmos) as well as dreamy faraway places.

Tropical valances

Natural textures, bright hues, colorful valances–this is tropical style! Infuse a few more island vibes into your space by hanging a tropical valance. Turquoise valances in shades of Caribbean teal make it easy, as do large, vivid floral patterns.