Putting a valance on vertical blinds

Carol Weyker
by Carol Weyker
We recently moved into an apartment which has vertical blinds in the living room. How can I install a fabric valance or a lightweight cornice? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks
  9 answers
  • Carmen Carmen on Jan 30, 2015
    There are various options 1. a wide flat pocket curtain rod will give the illusion of a cornice. 2. create a box cornice , and upholster. You can make it in decorative shapes,upholster, add nails, or any decorative finish tons of info on the internet. Instead of upholster can pain, spay glue, and just glue on fabric. 3. make a cornice box out of styrofoam, again tons of info on the internet how to make the box, and how to upholster.
  • First of all, you must measure the return of the blinds at the top. ( that means how many inches it sticks j out on the side. If you have a 2 inch return on your blind, the you have to have at least a 3 inch return on you cornice board or valiance rod Always hand your window treatment about 4-6 inches above the top of your window frame. This gives visual height to your room. Take this in consideration when making your window treatment by adding the 6 inches to the finished length. A wide flat pock curtain will not give you the illusion of a cornice. It will be skimpy and cheap looking and very unprofessional. You want a nice custom look, even if you make them yourself.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jan 31, 2015
    Ah, the vertical blinds - again needing a cover up! LOL The flat pocket rods would be good. I'd also add another rod behind it, and get some drapery that slides easily so you can hide the vertical blinds behind them.- opened or closed.
  • Pam Pam on Jan 31, 2015
    You can pull out the insert and cover with fabric. I just used duct tape to secure it on underside and slide it back in
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Jan 31, 2015
    You can also purchase a cornice kit at Joann's if you want the boxy look covered in fabric vs. a shirred cloth valance look.
  • Julia Julia on Jan 31, 2015
    I took of the plastic top to expose the metal bracket behind it. I then got two magnetic drapery rods and placed on the exposed metal bracket to see if they were strong enough to hold. I got two light pink sheers and put on the magnetic rods and put back up on the exposed metal bracket and wow I have a little coverage from the vertical blinds.
  • Anne Davis Anne Davis on Jan 31, 2015
    I had this same problem. Country Curtains sells a curtain rod that comes out and around those blinds You can then use a balance or curtains of your choice. A tension rod is another option.
  • Belinda Todd Belinda Todd on Feb 01, 2015
    My husband made me some cornices for my patio doors using plywood and L brackets. I just covered them in quilt batting and fabric using an electric stapler to attach it.
  • ROSLYN BURFORD ROSLYN BURFORD on Mar 03, 2021

    how can i get a wider valence rod depth on most are 3 inches my valences measure 5 inches