Cosy, layered blankets, an artful jumble of cushions, or beautifully patterned bed linen–there are all sorts of ways in which we dress up our bed to make it look smart and feel comfortable. But one oft-overlooked element is the humble valance; also known as a bed skirt, it runs around the perimeter of the bed, and reaches from the top of the base down to the floor.
Easily sandwiched between mattress and base, a valance sheet adds a decorative flourish to your bed and is a smart way to cover up under-bed storage. They can be used with both slatted bases and divans; they are also a great solution if you are a renter and want to disguise a less-than-desirable bed base. According to interior designer Carlos Garcia, valances are “not only beautiful and dress a bed properly, but practical too, they hide a multitude of sins.”
With a bit of a reputation for being somewhat old-fashioned, these days valances perhaps aren’t the most popular choice in bedrooms. However, we think it’s time for a comeback. They are simple to use, and make a big impact when used harmoniously amongst your other bed linen, and within the context of a room’s style. Interior designer Alex Dauley agrees: “they are a great and simple way to add another soft, material layer to a room or hide a less-than-gorgeous bed base.”
The stylishness of a valance cannot be underestimated, according to Emma Burns, interior designer at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler: “if there is one thing you must invest in, it is a bed valance. If custom-made isn’t an option, buy a plain linen valance from Oka, trim it to the size of your bed and give it a smart grosgrain ribbon border at the bottom.”
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Contrary to popular belief, valances are not only the stuff of chintzy, traditionally-styled interiors, they can work in more modern or pared-back bedrooms too. For example, a ruffled option in a bold patterned fabric may work in one room, but a neutral linen design, with pleated corners, could suit another. Carlos Garcia has his own method for selecting a style: “I favour flat valances for city houses and loosely gathered valances for country houses. Though there are always exceptions to this rule.”
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As well as the ready-made options from a wide variety of retailers, valances can also be custom-made from a fabric of your choice, to match your headboard, bed linen or cushions, or the curtains of a four-poster bed. The Dormy House offers a huge selection of fabrics options for their gathered valance, and make each one to order in the material of your choice–we particularly like the idea of corduroy for a valance that is subtly luxurious yet versatile. Another unusual choice would be La Redoute's quilted cotton option, which quietly introduces pattern and texture through its decorative stitching.
Striped fabrics are another easy way to introduce pattern into a scheme, and there are plenty of options, both ruffled and pleated, to choose from. Go for a neutral pinstripe, like Veere Grenney below, or a wider stripe that picks out the colour of walls, artwork or bed linen, as Carlos Garcia does in the scheme above.
A ruffled, or gathered, valance can add texture and volume to a bed and can mirror the curtains in the room, or the canopy of a four-poster. Interior designer Joanna Plant says of this style, “I love a valance and especially a gathered one, as generally, I don’t like to see the base of a bed. In the US they are known as a dust ruffle which describes very well their purpose in life.”
Most valances are separate to a flat or fitted sheet, and sit underneath the mattress; one offering from Amazon, however, is unusual in that it offers a fitted sheet with a valance skirt attached, so is a quick and easy way to achieve the look of a ruffled valance.
As can be seen from many of these images from the House & Garden archive, matching your valance fabric with another element in the room – be it the wallpaper, curtains, cushions or headboard – is never a bad idea. It is also a technique that can work with pattern or plain colours. Indeed, Carlos Garcia explains that “I always follow the rule of doing bed valances and headboards in the same fabric, unless I am using an antique fabric of which I have not enough.”
For an easy way achieve the coordinated look in one fell swoop, Graham and Green's Carina bed is a comprehensive option; it comes with a matching upholstered headboard and valance in neutral linen. Secret Linen Store's valance in twill cotton linen is a sustainable choice, as it is crafted in Portugal out of leftover fabric from the production of their twill curtains – which also means, of course, that curtains are readily available in the exact same fabric and colour.
In the London bedroom of Joanna Plant, a striking red valance echoes other elements in the room, including the now-discontinued vintage Laura Ashley wallpaper, sourced from eBay by Joanna. The designer says “often I make the headboard and valance in the same fabric for a cohesive, tailored look but in my own bedroom I used a punchy scarlet linen to make the valance which added an ever so slightly subversive element to an otherwise pretty floral scheme whilst at the same time providing a good contrast to white bed linens.”
So the verdict is in: a valance is a versatile and transformative addition to any bedroom. Both decorative and useful, it is certainly something worth investing in. For more ideas on elevating and enhancing the look and feel of your bedroom, read our guide to making your bedroom feel more luxurious.
