I like that style and even have plans to do something very similar in our kitchen and dining room only with blinds. My thoughts are that the style is a classic (which I like) but its the choice of fabric that will really make them look current and up to date.

Valances are always in style though some styles of valances can look dated. I think the simpler lines without frills and ruffles will look fine.

An alternative is to do just sheers with no valance. They come with rod pockets, grommets, pleated tops, all kinds of variations, as well as interesting textures and patterns.

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Awwwwe, KSWL....I can't believe what I am reading! you really think so? :c(

I think so, too, but it might depend on the style of your home. If everything in your home is "period" or something, then they would fit in.

I think they do, too. Personally, I like the examples of the sheers Annie posted much better, but yes, it depends on the rest of the room. (Now I'm guessing we have approximately 10 minutes before Do What You Love becomes the answer to your question, even though that wasn't actually your question.)

Ha Lori!! I was going to say I think valances are dated, in most every form, but if that is the look you like, then go for it. Most wouldn't like my penchant for color, but all that matters to me is that I am happy with it!

I have valances in many of my rooms and I like them much better than bare windows or just panels. And I don't think they look dated at all. I think the ubiquitous formal swags and jabots of the 80s definitely look dated, but others can reinforce the look of the room.

You might take a look at this old thread on window treatments to get more ideas for what might work for you.

What sort of valance are you thinking of? I don't see how a valance on lace curtains, eyelet curtains or Swiss dot curtains can be dated. Is it the lace on it's own that is dated? What date would you assign to lace curtains/lace valance?

I think it depends on the valance type.

This

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But who cares if you like it. You may be ahead by 2 or 3 years :)

I have a valance in my kitchen and also have bamboo blinds, which are up most of the time and thus look like a cornice.

I love the valance ( more like a swag) that you posted. I really like to see what people do differently. Otherwise everyone's house looks like it came out of Pottery Barn of West Elm or such. We need variety.

I think valances are out. In the sense that I don't see them in most home decorating magazines. I may put one up in my kitchen after it's remodeled though because it may serve to soften the room and add a bit of color and pattern without breaking the bank. We'll see.

They're definitely not trendy, but I think they're fine, if they're simple, not ruffly, like the examples nosoccermom posted above.

The reason I wanted to know is that we will be selling the house in a year or two and I am redoing two of the bedrooms now. I want them to say "buy me" when the time comes. lol

You don't want them to say "Redecorate me!"

Droopy valances were out in 2012 according to the Washington Post

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You have to hope that potential buyers can look past window treatments. We like different things. We recently purchased a home with a large, brown, wooden shade with the horizontal slats. They are very trendy now. Ours will be gone tomorrow. It is so dark and depressing. I feel the same way about the woven shades. We had them on our back porch as a kid. They still remind me of outside shades.

Timeless, classic, white sheers always make me happy.

I like the sheer curtains too, but I have a blackout shade mounted at the top of the window and it would show through.

Sheers are always recommended for staging a house - from what I'd read before moving the lighter and less window covered, the more naturally potential buyers are to imagine what they would do with your windows.

Long sheers also do the vertical thing, extenuate height, make rooms taller / more spacious. Of course valances still work with smaller windows like kitchen or bathroom but I also would lean toward the sheers others posted over heavier fabric ones like your initial post.

Since you personally arent wanting long curtains, though, perhaps there an inexpensive valance options you could enjoy for 1-2 years before you need to stage your home.

I think the "droopy" valance with the jabots on the side can make a window look sad...downturned. The one you posted in your 2nd pic esp as the sides come so deep that it covers up a lot of the window which will darken the room. For resale, you're typically wanting to show off the windows and let as much light in as possible. So I'd look for something that more skims the top of the window. Maybe a shaped valance will give you that effect yet keep it more light and modern...

At the risk of repeating the "do what you love" advice, I will say that window curtains and valances are the easiest of things to change if you are worried about it looking dated or get tired of it. I agree the ruffled, frilly curtains are not really the trend today (although I think they do work in the right style home) sheers and simple, clean lines seem to be the look of today. That is the beauty of things like curtains and throw pillows, easy to change out.

Both the valance and especially the lace sheers are extremely dated. Time to think out of your box.

i wouldn't worry about the valances affecting the sale of the house... I would get a simple valance to cover the blackout shade- those are ugly and panels or sheers wouldn't cover them... I would probably get something simpler than the black and white that you show tho, but I doubt if it would really matter. valances are cheap, so I doubt if a potential buyer would worry about changing them out. (just make sure the windows are clean and in good shape!)

I'd go with sheers for sure. Simple no pattern sheers in white or off white.

Thanks everyone! I think I found a great solution with sheer Roman shades and a room darkening Roman shade over them. I never would have stumbled over that if you hadn't suggested sheer curtains.

The first link "Bunny No Ears" is the lady that I used to purchased my kitchen and bathroom rods. She does something where they look like they are boxes, but you can use a continental rod.

I believe that some of the valances can look a little 90s. But if you like them, then why not get what you enjoy seeing in your home on a daily basis?

I am the designer of the Bunny No Ears valance with the jabots. While this particular valance style does have the jabots at the sides, most of my valance styles actually don't have them. When I came up with my design styles I actually was going for a more contemporary and modern look. The valances are installed using either 2 1/2" or 4 1/2" continental rods but give the look of being on a board instead. Until now, most of the time when you thought of using those rods to hang a window treatment, your options were pretty much limited to a valance gathered onto the rod which would give a "country curtain" look. (Nothing against that look though.)

Since my customers choose the style of their valance and the fabrics that will be used to make them, they are able to create a valance that will suit their own personal taste and vision for their homes. I hardly ever make the same exact design twice which is actually great for me since I get to work with so many amazing fabrics.

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Thank you Black Belt Home Decor. I like that your valances are on a rod. So much easier to put up and clean, IMO. They look great too. I like the shape of the one you posted too.

This is what was done for my kitchen...I receive so many compliments on it.

i like that! Very pretty. I was looking on Etsy to find someone to make some valances for me with fabric I've already purchased. I saw and loved BlackBelts work but unfortunately for me, she is way over my price range.

What about a lambrequin?

I also think that valances are outdated - in most rooms. They are fine in kitchens and bathrooms. Maybe even kid's rooms??? I do think the style you show is pretty outdated. Sorry!