Valances vs. Cornices: Choosing the Right Top Treatment for Your Home
/At Savannah Window Fashions, we get a lot of questions about the differences between valances and cornices—and whether one is better than the other. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both of these top treatments are versatile, functional, and beautiful when done right. The best choice depends on your space, the needs of the window, and your personal style preferences.
What’s the Difference Between a Valance and a Cornice?
On the table is a cornice, and seen hanging in the background is a faux Roman valance.
While valances and cornices serve many of the same purposes—like concealing hardware or adding a decorative element to a window—they’re constructed quite differently.
Valances are soft, fabric treatments. They can be simple and modern or ornate and traditional, depending on the fabrication.
Cornices are more structured. Built from a wood frame and upholstered with fabric, they offer a tailored, architectural element that gives a space polish and structure.
This pleated valance is layered over draperies and roller shades to hind the roller shade cassette and cover the transom windows in this Low Country home on Dutch Island.
Both options can be mounted inside or outside the window frame, used alone or layered over other treatments like Roman shades or draperies, and customized to work with a wide range of design styles.
Why Choose One Over the Other?
It really comes down to what you want the treatment to do, how you want it to look, and sometimes, practical constraints like size and transport.
This pretty cornice is layered over woven wood shades and draperies, offering great light control. Collaboration with Kelsey Orton of Tennyson Studio.
Cornices:
Provide a more structured and tailored look
Are a great choice when you want a bold architectural element
Work beautifully in formal settings or when you want to anchor a space visually
Can be heavy and harder to transport when oversized
Valances:
Are lighter, more flexible, and can be styled many ways
Offer easier installation and more adaptability for large or unusually shaped windows
Allow for more play with fabrics, pleats, and trims
For example, we installed a 36-foot-long valance for a client in a collaboration with Corrine Reeves—this wouldn’t have been feasible as a cornice due to weight and transport challenges. In cases like these, our fabrication flexibility allows us to mount oversized valances on site, ensuring they look seamless and finished without compromising on design.
Types of Valances We Love
Valances can range from simple and modern with clean lines, to more traditional styles with swags and layers. Seen above is a shaped valance.
Whether you’re going for timeless tradition or clean, modern lines, there’s a valance style to suit your home. Here are a few of the most popular styles we design and fabricate in our Savannah workroom.
This pretty faux Roman valance was a collaboration with Kelsey Orton of Tennyson Studio.
Modern Valance Styles:
Faux Roman Valances: Mimic the look of a Roman shade, but stay stationary. Great for adding softness without functionality.
Box Pleat Valances: A structured style with crisp folds—perfect for adding a pop of color or contrast fabric in the pleats.
Tailored Flat Valances: Clean, simple lines for a modern, no-fuss look.
Shaped Valances: Feature gentle curves or angles for a more custom, unique finish.
This Moreland valance is a beautiful style that complements traditional decor.
Traditional Valance Styles:
Swag Valances: Draped fabric that softens the window and offers the perfect opportunity to showcase decorative trim.
Moreland Valances: A formal, layered look that pairs well with traditional interiors. We have some beautiful project photos of these from past installs.
Kingston Valances: Elegant and grand—great for large windows and classic spaces.
We’ve also done some big, grand swags for a corner window project where we created a custom template to get the fit just right—because every detail matters.
What About Cornices?
Cornices are wood frames upholstered in fabric, and can range from simple to intricate.
Cornices can be straight and modern or shaped with scallops or arches. They offer a clean finish and make a big visual impact.
They’re ideal for covering roller shade cassettes or drapery hardware you don’t want to draw attention to.
This lambrequin - a traditional style of cornice with historic routes - is layered over a woven wood shade.
We’ve designed cornices in a range of shapes and sizes—from sleek and minimal to detailed lambrequins, which are an older, more traditional style. Lambrequins historically were used to cover drafty gaps around windows in historic homes. We’ve installed them in projects where clients wanted that historic charm with modern functionality. They’re especially impactful in Savannah’s older homes where you want to honor the past while updating for today.
One of our favorite examples? The embroidered cornices we created for the City of Port Wentworth—a fully custom design that added elegance and branding to the space.
Which One Is Right for You?
From concept to installation, Savannah Window Fashions helps you choose the ideal window treatment for your needs and style preference.
Choosing between a valance and a cornice isn’t about picking the “right” one—it’s about making the best choice for your space, your project goals, and the way you live. That’s why we always start with a conversation about your home, your windows, and your needs.
Sometimes, we even combine elements. For instance, pairing a box pleat valance with stationary panels on either side of a sliding glass door. Or installing a shaped cornice above a layered shade and drapery combination for a finished, high-end look.
At Savannah Window Fashions, we offer expert guidance and full-service support to help you make decisions with confidence. Every top treatment we fabricate is custom, and our team handles everything from design to installation—so you get a beautiful, functional result without the stress.
Considering Valances or Cornices for Your Home in Savannah or Bluffton?
Let’s talk. Whether you’re building new, renovating, or just want to elevate a space with the perfect finishing touch, we’re here to help.
