Top treatments are an essential component of any window treatment design— just as curtains cover and decorate the sides of your windows, select pieces like valances, cornices, and more can embellish the top. Top treatments come in many shapes and sizes and are compatible with almost every style of window treatment.
What Are Valances Anyway?
Top treatments are precisely what they sound like: an additional covering or piece of fabric installed along the high edge of your window blinds, shades, or shutters. Their purpose is threefold: to hide the installation hardware, to add an additional stylish element to your window design, and to help your windows feel larger than they actually are. They are the perfect addition to your Chicago home.
Turn the Unsightly into the Aesthetic
As you may expect, installing window treatments requires many screws, nails, and other pieces of hardware. The best way to hide these necessary yet unattractive tools is to cover them with something else. This is where top treatments come in!
Some window coverings have top treatments built in. On window blinds, this often looks like a piece of trim or molding spanning the width of the window. For a more built-in look, contact your local window treatment experts to have a custom top treatment made!
Different Top Treatments for Different Window Treatments
There are three main types of top treatment: valances, cornices, and swags. Each has its own appeal. Learn more about each style to determine which is right for you.
Valances
Sweet and straightforward, a valance is similar to a short piece of drapery. A fabric panel floats in front of the installation hardware to create a soft, finishing touch to your design. Whether you pair your new valance with coordinating drapery, a different window treatment, or leave it on its own, you’ll love the sophistication it brings!
Cornices
A cornice can look quite similar to a valance. The difference lies in its construction. Instead of a soft, loose piece of fabric (like a valance), cornices are hard window top treatments. This means that they are stationary and provide a more structured finishing touch. Because it is so durable, a cornice is a fantastic option for high-traffic windows or homes with extra energy.
Swags
The last major category of top treatments is swags. These are soft, romantic lengths of sheer fabric elegantly draped over a curtain rod. Primarily found in historic homes and country cottages, sweeping swags instantly elevate a space. You can also use a swag to create a canopy bed - just drape your fabric over your bedposts!
Designer Top Treatments
With hundreds of colors, prints, and patterns to choose from, the most challenging part of installing your new top treatment is settling on a fabric! For homeowners that prefer even more choices, the Hunter Douglas Carole Fabrics is your dream! With prints from renowned designers, there’s much more to love when designing your top treatments.
