Every window is different, so there are no set rules when it comes to what kind of window valances it needs and how long those valances need to be. But I’ve sewn enough of these beautiful window coverings to tell you what the majority of my clients choose.
One of those choices is length.
So, do valances come in average lengths? It depends on the style of the valance, as well as how it’s installed and how high the ceiling is. Outside-mounted valances usually have an average drop length of 17 to 21 inches if hung on walls with 8-foot ceilings, and that length gets proportionately longer as the ceiling gets taller. Inside-mounted valances tend to be shorter, so it isn’t unusual for a valance to only be 12 to 16 inches long if it’s hung inside the window frame.
Let’s break this answer down and explain a few things.
Drop Length
When designers and seamstresses talk about length, we primarily focus on the drop.
A drop is how long the center, or main section, of a valance is. In many cases, we’re talking about swags here, but in essence, this is the part that covers the glass part of a window.
Many valances have tails on the sides that are longer, but these aren’t part of the drop.
Inside-Mounted Vs. Outside-Mounted Valances
The majority of valances are outside-mounted, meaning that the hardware that supports them is drilled into the wall above the window.
Some valances are inside-mounted, meaning that the valance is hung in between the studs of the window frame. These valances are usually hung as board-mounted valances, although some are also rod pocket valances that use spring tensions rods.
