How Long Should Window Valances Be

You can make it as long as you like so long as it fits your window.

How long should window valances be.

It depends on many things but generally speaking the valance will need to be somewhere between 2 to 3 1 2 times the width of the window you re trying to cover. Then decide how long your valance will be. A standard valance should have a drop of about 18 to 24 inches. Anything less than 16 inches is too short and only works in situations where the role of the valance is to be a mere accent or when the ceiling or the window itself is too low.

Measure the width of your window opening or curtain rods and make a note. For example if the window is 50 inches wide the valance should be about 100 to 150 inches wide when laid flat. If the valance is to be hung 9 feet or higher above the floor you can suitably increase the drop to up to 28 inches. You may be able to make a 16 or 17 inch drop valance work in some cases but anything less than that may be too short.

For example a fuller pinch pleat valance should have a minimum drop of 8 inches. However if your windows are very wide you can go a bit longer than that. A 60 inch tall window then would call for a 16 inch deep valance while a 48 inch window calls for a valance about 13 inches deep. Another rule of thumb used by decorators is that the window valance depth should be 1 4 of the overall window height plus 1 inch.