Fifteen Minute Upholstered Valance

Alicia W
by Alicia W
5 Materials
$10
15 Minutes
Easy
Seriously...Once you have all your materials, you can make this designer quality valance in 15 minutes or less.
Begin by measuring the width of your window; from the edge of the window molding to the edge of the window molding. Add 3” to each side.
Cut a piece of 12” wide plywood to that measurement.
Cut two additional 12” x 3” pieces for the sides.
Sand the cut edges.
Attach the 3” side pieces with small metal “L” brackets.
Lay your wood on top of two thicknesses of polyester batting. There should be 3” of batting on either side of the wood.
Before cutting, make sure the batting is long enough to wrap around each 3” side piece.
Remove the wood and batting.
Lay your fabric onto your work surface, wrong side facing up.
Lay the batting on top of your fabric.Lay your wood on top.
Cut your fabric to side, making sure you have enough fabric to wrap around each 3” side piece.
Begin in the middle of the wood, stapling the fabric and batting to the wood.
Place a few staples along one side.
Move to the other side.
Pull the fabric and batting onto the back of the wood.
Making sure the fabric is taut, staple onto the wood.
Move along the length of the valance, stapling along one side then moving to the other side, pulling the fabric taut and stapling into place.
Wrap the fabric and batting around the 3” side pieces, stapling in place.
You may have to cut some fabric and batting and remove if it seems bulky.
For a finished look, cover the back with material or felt, stapling into place.
Screw large “L” brackets into the 3” side pieces.
If your valance is very long, you may have to add an “L” bracket to the middle of the valance too.
Hang the valance above your window.
And there you go! Fifteen minutes later, you have a professional window treatment that would have cost hundreds but you did for only $10.
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Suggested materials:
  • 1/4” plywood   (Lowe’s)
  • “L” brackets   (Lowe’s)
  • Polyester batting   (Walmart)
See all materials
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 6 questions
  • Aud S Aud S on Oct 23, 2017

    Nice but how did you attach....do you have instructions?

  • Nancy Nancy on Oct 23, 2017

    Where did you use the wood finish?

  • Jcd32972316 Jcd32972316 on Jun 30, 2018

    How did you have room to attach this to the wall?

Comments
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2 of 41 comments
  • Tmc86036071 Tmc86036071 on Nov 10, 2023

    I chuckled when I read this because these valances were very popular in the 80s. We just bought a home and ripped them all out because the valances blocked the window opening on top (besides the colors/material/design being very dated). I guess something old is being re-created. I caution to only use on large windows and remember they are decorative for the top of the window only with no function as a window covering. You will still require some type of curtain, blind, etc... if you want to cover the window, make your valances wide enough to incorporate the addition window covering (curtains) Finally, choose a material you love, because it's a lot of work to change out the valances. 😉

  • Griselda Griselda on Jan 02, 2024

    yes. back in the 80's I did this to my windows. but I kept the curtain rods and made the valances out of styrofoam. I used floral pins and glue to secure the shape. used glue for the batting and more floral pins to secure my fabric. Hung them over the curtain rods. they were nice and light! lasted for years.

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