I was told by a high end drapery shop that valances are out. I do like the clean look of just drapery panels, but I love some valances, too.
I need total blackness in our room, so before I had a blind, sheers and draperies (with valance), that hid the traverse rod.
She told me that they don’t make true blackout drapes, even ones that say blackout don’t really do the job. So, I guess I’m stuck with the blind again.
Anyway, just seeing what others do to their bedroom windows.
I’m no help…we don’t have curtains on our master bedroom windows at all.
BUT in our kids’ rooms, we used insulated curtains, and they blocked out the sun well if the color was dark, and fabric thick enough.
@conmama I think what is “out” is layer after layer of window coverings on a window.
I haven’t seen a traverse rod in years…
You can get a pleated, window darkening blind that will close and will barely show…if you need total darkness.
My opinion/methods will be of no help to you! I like as little as possible on windows throughout the house. I was into window “toppers” in the 80’s-90’s but no longer. I prefer just a light filtering bamboo type shade that is usually drawn up. MAYBE something sheer/light for effect that is really just pulled to the side (only 2 rooms have this). This applies to our bedrooms as well.
A nice rod can be all the decorative touch you need. I wouldn’t cover them up.
She did show me a honeycombed blind, I didn’t realize those would be blackout. Here’s the thing, my husband likes sheers. He thinks they look nice from the outside of a house, but all windows must be uniform. So we can’t have one window a blind, and other sheers. It’s one of those things that’s fine with me and more important to him…so I go with it.
Plus, being able to dress somewhat without having to close the drapes and have light. (As long as it’s during the day, not night of course). We have a huge maple in front of the house that gives us privacy, too. But I wouldn’t undress if that sheer wasn’t closed.
This should be easier than it is, all theses requirements we have…sheesh.
We don’t have valences but do have blackout curtains. We hung the rod higher than the windows and let the fabric drape on the floor. The curtains themselves are from Ikea and do a fabulous job blocking out the light.
@momofsenior1 , I wonder why she told me no residential drapes are blackout, just hotels? Possibly because they don’t make them.
What I’d like to have are sheers, then 2 panels to open and close. They had a really cool double rod for that, too.
I’ll need to check IKEA. They quoted me $2k. Not interested in spending that kind of money, so looking for ready made.
They aren’t 100% blackout but they get pretty darn close and very affordable. They are simple navy but I think they look very nice.
PS. I have a hard time with the cost of window treatments too!
I have custom made valences. Yes, they are “out”, but I don’t care. I like the softness a touch of fabric adds to the room, plus, because they are custom, I was able to get creative with the design.
We use honeycomb shades at night, but they retract so they are not visible during the day. They aren’t blackout though.
Our kids’ rooms have a nice decorative wooden rod…which looks far nicer than a traverse rod in my opinion. The rod extends to the left and right of the windows, and when the curtains are open, they can’t be seen from the outside…at all.
Does a sheer curtain really prevent others from peeking in if they want to? Sheer means sort of see through, doesn’t it?
We have silhoeutte shades in their blackout version, which isn’t completely blackout, but still pretty dark. When you open them during the day, they have a “sheer” look, or you can just pull them up entirely.
Don’t know if that’s what your DH is looking for though. With the shades down at night AND functional drapes, you could definitely get the black out effect.
Are you doing this decorating for yourself…or in anticipation of selling in the Not so distant future?
If for yourself, and you like the look of a traverse rod and valance (both of which I agree are very dated, and “heavy” looks) then just get a traverse rod and curtains and a valance.
I do think you can find a decorative curtain rod that heavy draperies can hang from. A decorative rod won’t need a valance to cover it up.
@conmama, IKEA definitely has blackout drapes that work really well, example -https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/majgull-room-darkening-curtains-1-pair-light-gray-30346750/
I’ve never been a huge fan of drapery as I’ve always preferred shutters. But when we built our house 4 years ago the decorator encouraged me to consider some drapery to soften the rooms. And since my husband likes the bedroom really dark at night, we put in blackout drapes that are on a remote controlled motor. In front of those are gorgeous sheers that always stay closed on a beautiful drapery rod. Then there are silk panels stacked at both ends that hide the blackouts when they are retracted.
I love opening the blackout layer and seeing the light pour through the sheers. So pretty! It is amazing how well we sleep with the blackout drapes. There is only the very slightest sliver of soft light that peeks through the very top so pretty close to 100% dark. I think one trick is to mount the drapes all the way up at the ceiling or crown molding so there is lots of coverage over the windows. Plus it really heightens a room to have the drapery extend all the way from the ceiling.
It’s for us, not resale. The bedroom is on the 2nd floor with a nice big treeing front. With the sheers closed, I can walk around most of my room (not right next to the window of course), and no one can see me during the day…I’d be too far back.
Lots to consider and think about. I also like the look and softness of a balance. I like simple padded ones, too.
I like it to be pitch black at night. We have blackout honeycomb shades set inside the window frame. They let more light than I like around the edges on summer mornings. I’ve considered adding black out curtains, but wasn’t sure that attaching a decorative rod to the frame would be effective enough. The Ikea curtains in the picture go all the way up to the ceiling and cover an entire wall, which would be great, but we have windows on two different walls.
Who cares what is in/out of fashion??? It is your home, the next owner can change to their taste. Make choices on what YOU like- so easy to remove for resale.
I personally dislike sheers- perhaps because I like seeing what is outside. When doing our current house window coverings I found that “blackout” coverage depeneds on the brand. Honeycomb comes in blackout and regular- it does make a difference when I recall our last house’s bedroom shades to current ones. Here we added curtains/drapes for darkness but it still isn’t “blackout” (went inexpensive- not bothering to redo).
The house does not need to have the same outside window appearance for all windows. Shades and blinds usually come with the same neutral outside so the differences aren’t glaring. Choose the best for your purposes- mixing honeycomb shades, blinds, drapes- whatever works best for the particular room. I chose first floor blinds for baths and bedrooms where different levels of viewing out, sunshime control and needed privacy could be changed. Would add drapes if wanted more darkness. Used honeycomb shades where I knew they would be opened fully everyday- back/private/north- no sun issues.
No simple one-size fits all solution. Just remember to do it for YOU, not the neighbors et al.
In the bedroom, we have inexpensive lined curtains that do a fine job of blocking light.
When dressing/undressing, I usually close one panel and leave the other open & hooked on the metal tie-back.
It lets in daylight to the room, but I can get dressed on the “closed” side of the room, if that makes sense. No worries, in our case, of the neighbors seeing anything.
I make simple curtains for the bedroom and I pull them aside at bedtime, both for the night air coming through the open windows and so I can see the stars.
Here’s just a couple of designer tips (I don’t like valances because they date a house):
Mount the curtain rod at least halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling, but at least a 8" minimum. Or all the way to the ceiling. This provides height to the room.
If the drapery is a sheer or light weight, puddle them on the floor. If it is a heavy weight drapery, you should probably hem them at the floor.
Mount the curtain rod at least 6" to the left and right of the window. This enlarges the window to the eye. By 6" I mean the part that the drape goes on. Set the ‘bracket’ at least 6" away.
A good solution for your rooms, is a double rod. Sheers on the inside rod and then something heavy and blackout on the outer rod. There are a lot of solutions at Bed Bath and Beyond or IKEA for lower cost. For an updated and casual look, curtains with grommets for the rod are the current style.
^^^This is exactly how I see curtains being hung on decorating blogs. It’s complimentary to rooms and is a clean look.
Of course you should like/love however you hang your window wear. Go hand out on Pinterest or Houzz and see what you are attracted to.