What To Do With A Single Valance That Doesn't Have A Match

Refreshing your linen closet can be surprisingly revealing. Buried beneath piles of beach towels and fitted sheets, you're bound to uncover a few pieces of long-forgotten decor. Maybe it's curtains that you don't remember buying or a valance that no longer has a matching pair. While these items may not initially fit into your updated aesthetic, that doesn't mean they are destined for the donation pile, either. In fact, that single valance might be one of the easiest items to repurpose around your home. If you don't have a single valance of our own, check at the thrift store to see if someone else gave up on that lonely window treatment they found in their linen closet. With the right placement, it can serve as a unique decorative element, bringing a soft, vintage-inspired touch to overlooked areas of your home. 

Entryways and backdoors, in particular, are perfect for this type of window treatment, as they often lack interior decor. These narrow windows can be left feeling bare and unfinished without any window dressings. It might feel like valances are going out of style, but they can actually be an effective way to soften the harsher edges of your doorframe and glass panes. 

Unlike full-length curtains, a singular valance adds a bit of privacy without blocking natural light. This can be especially important on doors that enter into mud rooms or directly into a kitchen — spaces that can benefit from a bit of sunlight. A valance can add that necessary splash of color and texture that might be lacking in the transition areas of your home. It's a simple upgrade that repurposes a once-forgotten piece of decor, giving it a new life in your entryway.

If you've decided to mount your valance on a door window, the process is refreshingly simple. It typically follows the same process as mounting a traditional curtain rod — all you'll need is the rod itself, a drill, and a few screws. The rod should be slightly wider than the window itself. Mark the screw holes just above the top of the window, and mount the brackets for your curtain rod directly into the door. Install your valance on the curtain rod, and hang it on the newly installed brackets. For a renter-friendly solution, you can swap out the brackets for a tension-based curtain rod that doesn't require a drill. Just like that, your small window covering adds a touch of personality and texture to your space.

There are plenty of ways to repurpose old curtains around your home that don't involve entryways, and a single window valance is no different. For starters, a single window valance can be an excellent way to hide cabinet clutter in open-concept kitchens. In spaces that don't have cabinet doors, a small valance can help preserve that airy feeling while also covering up the contents of your storage area. Mix and match a few different valances that you pick up at the thrift store to give your clutter some necessary privacy without overcrowding the space. 

Additionally, a valance can be an excellent way to accent a bookcase or freestanding hutch, especially when mounted at the top of your furniture. It adds a small element of visual interest without overcrowding your space in the way that longer curtains might.