Why Pelmets are Making a Comeback (2024)

What is a Pelmet?

A pelmet, or valance, is a wooden frame or fabric border that sits above a window and its curtains. Traditionally placed to decoratively hide the curtain track, they also help with blackout in the room and act as an extra layer of insulation in front of the window toreduce heat loss in your home. From soft to solid, and in an assortment of shapes to suit a variety ofinterior looks, pelmets look best when they are designed to complement the style and period of your home.

Soft pelmets, often referred to as a valance, is a relaxed, decorative, fabric border that is used under awooden corona or tester. Commonly seen inhistoric country estates, this traditional style is often adorned with over the toptrims and tasselsto create a luxurious and opulent period look.

Favouring timeless fabrics such as prettyflorals,toilesand delicatechintz designs, we are also now seeing more contemporary prints being featured in modern day homes to inject flamboyance and exaggerated style into an interior scheme.

Solid Box Pelmets:

Structured and simple in shape, box pelmets are made from light wood / mdfa and are covered in fabric which sits over the curtain track. Often seen incountry cottagesand modern homes, the beauty of this style is that the depth of the pelmet can be altered to suit the dimensions of the room, especially if it is modest in size.

Creating a smart and more contemporary look, box pelmets embrace a wide range of fabrics includingabstract patternsandgeometric fabrics. If you prefer a modern, more chic interior style, aplain fabricpelmet with abraid trimwill frame your windows beautifully and will provide a tailored and neat finish to the room.

Solid Shaped Pelmets:

Decorative crowns to frame your windows, shaped pelmets are becoming an increasingly popular feature in bedrooms and living spaces. Sculptural and shapely, they can be cut to whatever style you wish and covered in which ever fabric you desire. From multiple arches to soft curves, scalloped edges to boxed steps, their attractive forms can be further accentuated with complementarytrimmingsandbraids.

When deciding on your design, a useful place to start is to consider the other furnishings in your room. By mimicking the contours of features likeheadboards,footstoolsoroccasional chairs, you can neatly tie your new pelmet into the rest of your scheme.

Why Pelmets are Making a Comeback...

We are thrilled to see that pelmets are enjoying a resurgence, not only because they add individuality and beauty to curtains, but they also offer clever styling solutions and interior tricks that can transform the appearance of a room. Read on to discover our top three reasons why you could consider adding a pelmet to your windows...

1. Play with Your Dimensions

Depending on the proportions of your home, a shapely pelmet can improve the look and feel of your room. Add drama to a small cottage window by concealing a matching roller blind, or increase the height of your ceilings by elevating the pelmet above the frame, the right shape and style can trick the eye and transform the dimensions of your home.

2. Hide Your Tracks

Offering a simple yet effective way to hide your curtain tracks, adding a pelmet will cover unsightly rails and create a sleeker finish and polished look to your window dressings. Wrapping neatly around the edges of the frame, your pelmet will allow your curtains to hang gracefully behind it, to be opened and drawn with ease.

3. Individualise Your Home

From choosing your favourite fabric to getting creative with its design, pelmets can be fully customised to suit the personality and character of your home. By adding decorative trimmings to tie it into the rest of your scheme, or featuring contrasting fabrics to make a powerful design statement, adding a pelmet to your interiors offers another space to be creative and assert your individuality into your home décor.

Made To Measure Curtain & Pelmets

We make designing your perfect curtains and pelmets a simple and enjoyable process. Made in the fabric that you love by our experienced team here in Sussex, we will work with you to create something truly beautiful for your home.

The joy of custom made curtains and pelmets is that you have control over every element of the design. Whether you are looking for a simple box pelmet or a scalloped edge to sit across a bay window, our expert design team will guide and advise you to ensure that your new pelmet fits perfectly into your interior design.

Fully customizable with our range ofdecorative braids,fringing or tassels, we have over 20 years experience in helping customers to create homes that reflects their personality, lifestyle and budget, so pleaseget in touchif you have a project in mind.