Whether you have a newly decorated bedroom or just wish to create a transformation in a weekend, valances and pelmets are a great way to add a professional looking wow factor to your room. As the natural focal point to a room the windows are a great place to start when transforming your bedroom. Whether you are after a feminine boudoir or a loft apartment look, a window treatment is key to getting the look right. What are the differences between pelmets and valances and whats the right look for you
Pelmets
These are usually made of light board or a cloth called buckram that is a stiffened type of canvas. Buckram pelmets often come with patterns on them for cutting out the shape of your choice. You can have a plain edged pelmet. If you prefer you can have a scalloped edge, a castellated edge or a zigzag edge. In fact, as long as you can cover the shape easily with fabric, you can have whatever pattern you choose.
When you have the shape you want you can cover the pelmet with the your curtain fabric or a use a fabric that compliments your curtains style. To add a real touch of professional design, your pelmet can be lightly upholstered.
Valances
A Valance is like a skirt at the top of the curtains. It has the same function of pelmets. They are both originally designed to block draughts and light from spilling up through the gap between curtain and wall.
Valances usually have their own specially design valance track. Like a curtain track it follows a U shape and is attached to the wall at the height of the curtain rail. Valances need to be lined in order to look professional. You can create pin pleats, box pleats or have triangular shaped fabric that create a bandana type valance. These can be piped with an accent fabric to highlight and add an extra dimension.
If you dont want to create a separate valance you can sew a lined skirt faux valance to the curtains themselves. In the daytime, keep the tops of the curtains drawn and use tie backs to hold back the curtains and voila!
If you want a luxurious look to your valances, you can drapes fabric around a curtain pole, fixing it with self adhesive tape, Velcro or stapling.
Valances are a wonderful way to create a fresh and stylish look to your bedroom windows without having to completely redecorate or buy new bedroom furniture.