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Thanks to the beautiful designs we see on HGTV’s Fixer Upper, farmhouse decorating has become all the rage. It creates the perfect balance between modern and traditional, so what’s there not to love?
But how exactly do you translate this style when it comes to window treatments like valances? Well, when it comes to “farmhouse style” decorating, you can go in one of two directions. You can either keep it traditional, with warm colors and whimsical country decorations.
You can also make it modern, which has clean, modern lines that have been infused with just a few decorative pieces like reclaimed wood. Rather than give you examples of burlap valances that everyone flocks to, here are a few ideas that will still honor the style, but make your window uniquely one of a kind.
We’ll first take a look at country farmhouse valances, followed by modern farmhouse valances.
Country Farmhouse Valances: The Classic Way to Do It
The first category is all about making your home cozy, inviting, and whimsical. This is where you’d plop a large porcelain rooster on your kitchen island and paint your kitchen walls a warm color. The valances here are also warm and inviting. Think along the lines of warm maize yellow, contrasted by a rich burgundy or sage green.
Any color palette that mimics the colors of the harvest fall here. Replicate the feel of French Country by thinking of herbes de Provence – spicy orange, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, even lavender. Combine toiles that depict the hardworking life in the country or farm with small-scale gingham checks or contrasting solids.
A flat swag valance with bells, made to order with a rooster toile print centered on each section.
These simple swags feature whimsical rosettes on top of each of the trumpets.
Gathered valances are very common in country decorating. Just make sure they’re generously gathered, or your window won’t look rich enough.
Balloon valances are a great type of window treatment for country style, traditional rooms. This type of valance should be on top of your list since it’s just so representative of this style of decorating. Here, a rooster print was centered. The rest of the fabric has a harvest-themed design.
How to Make It a Modern Farmhouse Valance
The valances above can easily work in a modern farmhouse room. Imagine how beautifully a red and valance would stand out among a kitchen that’s covered in all-white cabinetry! But if you really want to emphasize the modern part of modern farmhouse even with your valances, all it takes are a few tweaks. Here are some tips to absolutely nail this style.
TIP #1:
Go with Black and White
Black and white keep the room modern and clean. By choosing a black and white fabric for the valance, the simplicity of the design is continued.
This valance is still a country-style valance thanks to its toile fabric. But, because it’s black and white, it fits in perfectly in a modern farmhouse setting.
To upgrade your farmhouse kitchen to a level of sophistication, upgrade the valance to a heavy board-mounted window treatment. Opt for extra deep, pleated swags and long trims, then hang the valance closer to the ceiling.
TIP #2:
Go with a Bold, Unexpected Color
Here, I’m telling you to go with black and white in order to embrace a modern, simplistic style, so why would you all of a sudden want a bold color valance? It’s because today’s design trends call for bold colors. Every piece of furniture or decor nowadays is a vibrant turquoise, flaming orange, or playful crimson.
All you have to do is visit your local Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, or Wayfair, and you’ll quickly realize that bold colors are in. So, don’t be afraid to put a twist on the traditional red and yellow country valance and go bold. It will instantly make the valance more modern. And by default, this will work in a modern farmhouse room.
Another toile that at first style looks like it belongs in a traditional French Country room. But, the yellow backdrop of the fabric is a bold chartreuse lemon color, which in of itself is more modern than it is traditional.
A close-up of the fabric. Notice how the traditional toile design blends in with the modern choice of the bold yellow background color.
The rooster print on this arched valance is oversized and modern, with its punchy cranberry red background and tons of turquoise and teal.
TIP #3:
Go with a Flat, Simple Valance
The best way to pick a modern valance style is to make it flat. Nowadays, valances are more like pieces of art, so they must be as flat as a canvas in order to display a beautiful fabric design on them. Opt for flat arched or scalloped sections. If you must do swags, go with flat swags or swags with only a few pleats, rather than the traditional swags that use a lot of fabric.
A blue and white toile valance looks somewhat modern when made in this rod pocket valance with side trumpets. A few blue ginger jars for decoration and this valance would look amazing in a white farmhouse kitchen.
This valance combines the idea of black and white fabric with a flat, arched valance design. It doesn’t get any simpler than this.
I hope I’ve shown you a few ideas for inspiration. Which do you think would work best with your own farmhouse design?
