Valences – and cornices – are not as common as perhaps they once were, and that’s probably because they cost a bit more money to buy and require a bit of extra work to install.
However, if you have some basic DIY skills, you can solve both of these problems by making one yourself. To help, we’ve scoured the internet looking for ideas for you to try – and here are our top 17 homemade window valance plans you can DIY easily.
1. DIY window valance for a polished look
To start with, this is a very simple plan for a DIY window valance that just about anyone can try. As this blogger explains, she found the idea on Pinterest and decided to have a go herself – and she surprised even herself with the results. As you can see from the photos, it creates a highly professional look, so if you’re looking for an easy valance you can make yourself, this could be a great option.
2. Quick and cheap window valance
Here’s a short but informative video we found on YouTube that explains how to make your own DIY window valence for next to nothing. As you can see, this is a really ingenious idea. The materials she uses to make it are so inexpensive, but once it’s in place, you wouldn’t be able to guess. This YouTuber is a talented DIYer, and this was a fun video to watch.
3. Wood window valance tutorial
This tutorial is perhaps not technically for a “valance” but rather for a “cornice” – although don’t let the terminology get in the way. If you like it, you can try it! This plan takes you through all the steps, including finding the wood, measuring it, cutting it and everything else you’ll need to do. We love the way it looks, and we’re sure it’s something many people would love to have in their homes too!
4. DIY farmhouse-style cornice boards/valence
We loved this video right from the first 30 seconds – we were convinced this was going to be a great project just from seeing the “before” and “after” shots. As this YouTuber goes on to explain, the whole project took only 40 minutes, and she managed to finish the whole thing while her kids were downstairs playing. We’re inspired, and we’re sure you will be too.
5. How to make a DIY window valance
Here’s an excellent DIY plan from well-respected site The Spruce. As you would expect from such an established site, there are some high-quality photos that should give you plenty of inspiration for what you can do in your home. There are some clearly-written instructions too, so you have all the information you need to recreate something similar in your house.
6. DIY fabric-covered window cornice – renter friendly
If you live in rented accommodation, you will be only too familiar with the limitations that kind of situation can place on your creativity. You may find you have all kinds of great ideas for making your home look beautiful – but you don’t dare try because you don’t want to end up paying for the alterations. If that sounds like something you’re experiencing, this plan is for you – it’s a plan for a cornice and valence that won’t upset your landlord!
7. $10 and 10-minute DIY window valance
If you are the kind of person who doesn’t want to spend any more time or money on your home improvements than is absolutely necessary, then could be perfect. It explains how you can put together your own basic window valance for only $10 – and it will only take ten minutes to complete the job. However, as you can see from the photos, that doesn’t mean it looks cheap or unattractive, making it a great option for anyone on a limited budget.
8. Easy DIY window cornice
Like this YouTuber, you might have some old pieces of wood lying around that you don’t have a use for. You’re waiting for the perfect project that requires something like that, but so far, you haven’t found it. Well, how about turning them into a stylish window cornice? Sound interesting? Then this video will show you how.
9. Rustic DIY window valance
One of the advantages of DIY – apart from the financial savings, of course – is that you can achieve a special kind of rustic chic that is impossible if you buy modern fittings from a store. If that’s the kind of look you appreciate, this plan is well worth checking out. It tells you how to make a rustic-style valance, and it includes a helpful video to show you how, too. We also like all the personal thoughts and tips this blogger has included, making this a great resource if you’re in need of inspiration.
10. Rustic cornice
This YouTuber is clearly confused about the difference between a valence and a cornice. Her first words are “hi everyone, today I’m going to show you how to make a rustic wood valence” – spoken while pointing at the cornice she just made earlier. However, terminology aside, this is a useful video, and since cornices and valences serve the same purpose, it’s well worth a watch.
11. DIY no-sew rolled window valance
Do you love DIY but hate sewing? Then perhaps you might imagine that making a window valance by yourself is probably out of the question – but in fact, you’d be wrong! As this blog shows, you can make an attractive and stylish rolled window valance without the need for any stitching. That makes it the ideal option for those who love making things but are no good with a needle.
12. DIY foam board window valance
If you want an attractive window valance but are unwilling to spend the cash, you should be able to follow this plan to make your own for only around $7-8. However, to look at, it doesn’t look like a cheap DIY job – it looks highly professional. This only goes to show what is possible with the right skills and a bit of imagination. In any case, we love what he’s done and we’re sure lots of other people will be keen to try it out too.
13. DIY window valance
This plan is actually for a cornice rather than a valance, but the result is the same. As this blogger explains, when she fitted new roller shades in her house, she noticed that the mounting brackets on display were ugly and she needed something to hide them. You can see how effective her solution was, and this plan will tell you how to make something similar in your home.
14. How to fake an expensive valence
We’re sure that lots of people will be intrigued by this plan just from reading the title. Buying a valence from a store can be pricey, especially if you go for one of the more top-end options. However, if you know what you’re doing, you can easily make one that looks just as good – but for a fraction of the cost. Sound like that might be of interest? Then check this video out to find out more!
15. How to make a valance box
Again, this plan for a “valance box” is really for a cornice, but once in place, you can use it to hide the part at the top of the window, and you can also cover it in fabric, just like a true valence. These plans give you detailed instructions for cutting the wood and building the box – as well as providing a few extra design options. This is a simple DIY job that will help improve the appearance of your interior while also saving you quite a bit of cash.
16. DIY no-sew valence tutorial
This is a video tutorial for those who don’t like sewing – it shows you how to make a simple DIY valence without the need for any stitching. However, for those who do have a sewing machine and the necessary skills, a sewed version is also possible. The explanations are a little complicated at times, but if you stick with it, you will be able to produce something similar at home for your windows.
17. DIY wooden cornice
Here, we have one more plan for a cornice, this time from a site called Shanty 2 Chic, a blog that specializes in making great-looking items for your home from some of the cheapest materials available. As the blogger explains, each cornice cost about $15 and took about half an hour to build – allowing you to spend all the money you saved on buying some extra-special curtains.
Loads of great ideas and creative inspirations
It’s always a lot of fun looking for DIY plans online because we always find we’re inspired by the amount of creativity on display by DIY enthusiasts all over the internet.
We hope you’ve enjoyed watching and reading these plans as much as we did finding them for you – and with any luck, you will now have plenty of fresh ideas for your next DIY project.