Valances can come in all shapes and sizes. But is there such a thing as a standard size of a window valance? If you’re shopping for ready-made valances, the most common standard size you’ll likely come across is a 50-inch wide valance. If you’re hiring a custom workroom, you can specify any size. We offer valances between 18 and 189 inches wide on our site.
Why 50 Inches?
Home decor fabrics are usually printed 54 wide on a roll. By the time the seams are taken in, the maximum width possible will be about 50 inches unless a seam or additional fabric sections are introduced. So, if shopping for ready-made valances, you’ll often come across a 50-inch wide valance. The M-shaped valance is the most popular.
By the time the valance wraps around the curtain rod brackets on each side, it ends up fitting a window about 34 to 42 inches wide. It would be a flat valance on a 40- or 42-inch window, while it would be slightly gathered on smaller windows. The curtain rod brackets should be between 3 and 5 inches deep on each side.
A 50-inch shaped valance on a 40-inch window. Check out more like this.
You may also come across straight, gathered valances. Those are also commonly 50 inches wide. But keep in mind that a single 50-inch valance panel can only give you so much coverage.
A gathered valance like this needs about 2 to 2.5 times the fullness if lining and real home decor fabrics are used. So, a 50-inch wide valance realistically will cover a width of only about 20 to 25 inches. Lightweight fabrics and unlined valances will require 3 to 3.5 times the fullness. Consider asking the workroom to fuse the fabric for you and to pattern-match the seams, or buy several valances and try to hide the side hems between them as best as possible.
Example showing how wide a gathered, lined valance needs to be to fit a 40-inch window.
For reference, this is how the top header should look for a gathered rod pocket with a natural ruffle top:
A blue and yellow toile fabric with a 3-inch rod pocket and 3-inch header above it. Hung on 1-3/8-inch diameter curtain rod.
What About Custom-Size Valances?
Obviously, when going the custom route, there is no such thing as a standard valance size. But generally speaking, a valance should end up hanging about half an inch to 2 inches beyond each side of the window in its final form. So, a 40-inch window should be covered by 41 to 44 inches of the valance above it. This is the finished, adjusted width that’s only facing the front. It does not include any other factors like brackets or other hardware.
Usually, a modern, flat valance (like a faux shade) will need to just barely cover the window frame (add an extra 1/2 to 1 inch on each side of the window). Some more elaborate valances like swags and jabots will require to be slightly wider (add an extra 1-1/2 to 2 inches on each side of the window) There are exceptions to this rule, of course, so make sure to ask your workroom consultant for more detailed measuring help.
Flat valance.
Faux shade valance. Start shopping more faux Roman shade styles and customize them for your window.
Jabot and swag valance.
FAQs
Valances can come in all shapes and sizes. But is there such a thing as a standard size of a window valance? If you're shopping for ready-made valances, the most common standard size you'll likely come across is a 50-inch wide valance.
What is the average size of a window valance? ›
It depends on the style of the valance, as well as how it's installed and how high the ceiling is. Outside-mounted valances usually have an average drop length of 17 to 21 inches if hung on walls with 8-foot ceilings, and that length gets proportionately longer as the ceiling gets taller.
What is the standard drop for a valance? ›
A standard valance should have a drop of about 18 to 24 inches. You may be able to make a 16- or 17-inch drop valance work in some cases, but anything less than that may be too short.
How deep should a window valance be? ›
The average advice is a valance is usually 15 inches deep, but adjustments will be made to fit your window. A large, tall picture window, for example, may work best with a 17-inch deep valance. A small bedroom window may find that a 10- or 12-inch valance is a better fit.
What is a common valance? ›
With most of our window blinds that come with a crown valance to cover the headrail, we can make the blinds with a common valance at no additional charge. A common valance is shared between multiple window blinds and the valance covers each headrail.
Are valances in or out of style? ›
Valances are not out of style as long as your choice fits within the scheme of current-day window treatment trends and styles. Although valances may not be as prevalent as in previous times, they can still serve as a stylish addition to conceal window tops or hardware.
What is the proper height for a valance? ›
by the scale of the window or undertreatment the valance is intended to cover. Generally, about 15% to 18% of the height of the undertreatment, or the distance from the top of the valance to the floor, is about right.
How long should an inside mount valance be? ›
For an inside mount valance, measure the window frame where the valance will be mounted, and round down to the nearest 1/8″. Then subtract another 1/4″ (or 1/8″ on each side), to ensure the valance will sit inside the frame and give the proper clearance when removing and re-mounting.
How far out from the wall should a valance be? ›
A valance should traditionally cover the top 2–6 inches (5.1–15.2 cm) of your window frame with the rest of the fabric covering the wall above.
What size is a queen valance? ›
The obvious answer is that it depends, but you should expect to need somewhere between 1-1/2 to 5 yards of face fabric for a standard 36- to 40-inch window. For double-wide windows (about 70 to 80 inches wide), about 2-1/2 to 8 yards of face fabric is a realistic estimate.
What is the standard valance return size? ›
An Outside Mount Valance is manufactured with standard returns (side pieces) sized to cover the ends of the headrail and valance for a more finished look. See the charts on the following pages for standard outside mount return lengths. Valance returns are available from 1/2" to 8".
How wide should a valance be for a 72 inch window? ›
If space permits, you ideally want the valance to be 10 to 30 inches wider than the window. In some instances, you can even go beyond 30 inches, allowing your valances and draperies to span across the entire wall of windows.
How far should a valance extend past the window? ›
A valance should traditionally cover the top 2–6 inches (5.1–15.2 cm) of your window frame with the rest of the fabric covering the wall above. If there isn't a huge gap between the top of the window and the ceiling, hang the valance 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) from the top of the ceiling.
What is the longest length for a valance? ›
Most of the time, the length of valance may be 18"L - 35"L. But most importantly, what is the length you'd like or prefer whenever it is long or short.
A gathered valance like this needs about 2 to 2.5 times the fullness if lining and real home decor fabrics are used. So, a 50-inch wide valance realistically will cover a width of only about 20 to 25 inches. Lightweight fabrics and unlined valances will require 3 to 3.5 times the fullness. Consider asking the workroom to fuse the fabric for you and to pattern-match the seams, or buy several valances and try to hide the side hems between them as best as possible.
Flat valance.
Faux shade valance. Start shopping more faux Roman shade styles and customize them for your window.
Jabot and swag valance.