Bed valances can come in a few different guises. From valance sheets to easy fit we’ll take you through each style and which might be the best for you.
A Bed valance (or bed skirt) are sometimes the last thing you think to add to your bed. However, the right valance can add the perfect touch of style to your bedroom.
Fitted sheets and duvet covers are at the top of most peoples lists when it comes to refreshing the bedroom, the poor bed valance is sometimes left as an after thought or even dismissed altogether. In recent years it can be seen as quite twee and traditional for the modern bed. We think this is a little unfair on the poor old bed skirt, it’s getting a bad rap.
A well made bed valance is a great way to cover an old divan that may have worn or started to look tired. It can also hide any storage, (or any unsightly mess..!) that you may keep under your bed.
Valances are a great way to tie your bed into any new colour scheme, adding a pattern or a block of colour that will tie into any bedroom refresh. not to mention cover over any unsightly messes that may be under your bed.
Valance Frills
Single Pleat Valance
Single pleat valances feature one pleat at the corner and another half way down each side of the bed. The straight lined un-fussiness goes well with the modern minimalistic approach.
Frilled Valance
A simple frilled valance still proves as popular as always. With UK designers such as Kirstie Allsopp and Cath Kidston using more traditional country cottage looks the more traditional frilled and has seen a resurgence in popularity.
Types of Valance
Bed valances can come in many practical and useful designs. Each has its own advantages when it comes to changing the bed linen and laundry days.
Base Valance
Platform or base valance are probably the most recognised and popular of valance designs. Its a valance that fits on to your divan base, under your mattress.
The valance is made up of a frill that is attached to 3 sides of a base piece made to the size of your bed. The frill runs down both edges and across the foot of the bed.
For example if you had a UK double 4’6″ x 6’3″ bed, the base piece would measure 4’6″ x 6’3″ and the frill of the valance is then attached around three sides. There is no frill along the head of the bed as this can interfere with headboard fittings.
The platform valance is then placed on the bed divan with the mattress on top of it.
A big disadvantage with base / platform valances is that the mattress has to be removed to launder it.
A task that can prove difficult, especially if you have a larger bed. Luckily its rare that the valance gets too dirty. More often than not it collects dust, which can usually be cleaned off with a vacuum cleaner.
Shop UK made base valances here
Valance Sheet
Also known as the fitted valance, its a great alternative to a base valance. Basically it is a valance and sheet in one that fits over your mattress with a valance frill that drops to cover the base of the bed.
The valance is made by first cutting fabric to the size of bed plus the mattress depth. The sheet then has a frill attached around 3 sides to the depth required. Remember, there is no frill around the head of the bed.
This technique gives the ‘boxed’ effect where the valance and attached sheet will slip over the bed and stay in place. Giving the effect of a fitted sheet and valance.
Typically a fitted valance will come in the same colour, meaning if your were looking to contrast your sheet and valance you might be out of luck!
However, a great advantage of the valance sheet is its easy to get on and off the bed. There is no wrestling or with the divan or moving the mattress as the whole thing is one piece of linen. Just make sure your washing machine is big enough to take the load!
Buy valance sheets made to any drop here
Easy Fit Valance
Also known as Velcro Attached Valance, this fits around your divan base using velcro. As with the fitted valance you don’t need to move your mattress to fit the easy fit valance, it fits all around the outside of the bed.
To put it simply the valance is a frill or single pleat backed with a strip of velcro. A strip of velcro is fixed around the top of the bed divan with the valance frill then being fixed along the top of the divan.
This valance is the best of both worlds, you can remove it easily for laundering. It can then be reattached without removal of the mattress or heavy lifting.
The valance can also come in any colour to match or to contrast with your fitted sheets or duvet cover, giving you a bit more freedom when deciding on a colour cheme.
If you have an adjustable bed the easy fit valance is ideal. Fitting outside the divan base it can be out in place without intefering with the workings of the bed.
Its only downfall can be related to the strength of the velcro. Heavier upholstery fabrics may prove to heavy for the velcro’s glue, causing them to fall away.
Velcro backed with stronger glue may hold in place. But this in turn can cause damage to the bed if and when you want to remove them.
So there you have it, the simple bed valance comes in quite a few different guises, well, three but we’re sure there’s more, feel free to let us know if you have seen other types.
