• Home
  • Projects
    • Room Makeovers
    • DIY Home Improvements
    • Decorating Ideas
    • Organization
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Crafts
  • Holidays
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Printables
  • Recipes

How to Nest for Less™

How to Make a DIY Window Valance – Board Mounted

in HOW TO Tutorials on

Sharing is caring!

5681 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

A couple weeks ago I showed you how we created the DIY window cornices in our kitchen. Well I wanted to do a little something different for our hearth room so instead we decided to create professional-looking Board Mounted Valances… and here’s how.

how to make a board mounted valance

I purchased some 51 inch wide valances online that was a great fabric and pattern, plus had a fun detailed trim and scalloped edge. Since I wanted the valances to look professionally installed I opted for the Board Mounted Valance installation with some simple 2×4 boards I had in my basement from a previous project.

size of boardNow for the measuring fun… Each 2×4 board is NOT 2×4″ on the sides. It’s actually more like 1.5 x 3.5 inches. So if you add the two side widths, that was 7 inches total off my valance fabric length, leaving me with 44 inches for the broad side of the board for the remainder of the fabric valance that is 51 inches wide.

window treatment tutorialSince my window was 35 inches wide that left me with 4.5 inches overlap for each side of the valance. PERFECT in my book.

measure diy window board valancesSo now it’s time to mark the fabric valances where I need to iron a crease. As noted the side of each board is 3.5 inches so I measured and marked that on the back of each valance on the left and right sides. Once everything was marked I ironed a sharp crease in all 5 valances for the hearth room.

board valances diy projectNow back to the boards. I lined it with velcro. Yep, velcro. I figured this was an easy way to change out the valance fabric if I ever change my mind, or take down to wash or dust.

diy board valance tutorialThen I pressed the fabric valance all the way around the velcro-lined boards.

board valance tutorialAnd if you measure right, everything should line up perfectly!
Including that crease that you ironed into the fabric right at the corner of your board.

diy board valances tutorialAfter each one was complete, I laid it on the end of my kitchen table to make sure the fabric was perfect before hanging.

board mounted valance tutorialNow it’s time to measure for the installation of the L brackets. The easiest way was to measure 5 inches and mark it on a paint stick. Line up the marked edge with the top of the window, then draw a line just above the paint stick. Mark TWO SPOTS above every window for the L brackets.

measure board valancesThe top flat part of the L bracket sat at the marked line on the wall. And since we didn’t have studs in those areas, we used drywall anchors to secure to the walls.

how to hang board mounted valanceThen it was time to place the board valance on top of the L brackets and screw into place. Make sure it’s centered above the window before you start screwing!

how to hang board valanceAnd that’s it! From start to finish these 5 windows (yes, FIVE!) took us less than 3 hours, and that included cutting the boards, ironing and all of the measuring, etc.

blue sun roomI actually came across this idea when walking through a model display home of a local home builder. I loved their window treatments, examined how they were made, and was simply amazed at the ease of the project.

charcoal gray sun roomAnd trust me, it might be a little harder than it actually is. Don’t be fooled by my long-winded tutorial. Just a couple 2x4s and L brackets. That’s it! And you’ll have professional looking window treatments in just one afternoon!

sun room makeover

charcoal gray sun room

how to make a board mounted valance

popular-projects
« Hearth Room Makeover Reveal!
15 DIY Window Treatments »

Comments

  1. Kim Weir says

    at

    Very pretty! I like the detail on the bottom!! Thinking of doing this to my dining room but actually making the valance myself. I have a hard time finding curtains I like not to mention the prices are outrageous! I just bought curtains for my living room and couldn’t find sheers I liked so I bought a stamp and some paint that matched my new curtains. Stamped away yesterday! Love the way they came out!

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      Oh, how I wish I could sew! Would save me TONS of money!!

  2. Mariella says

    at

    Thanks for sharing that!!! The perfect solution and timing for what i looking for !

    Xx,
    Mariella

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      Wonderful to hear, Mariella!

  3. Designs By Katy says

    at

    SO cute! I love the fabric choice.

    http://www.designsbykaty.com

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      Thank you so much Katy!

  4. Linda says

    at

    Love the cornice and material. Will you share the website where you purchased the curtains.

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      Thanks Linda! I purchased them from Wayfair here. The RLF brand has tons of beautiful designs!

  5. Linda says

    at

    What type of Velcro did you use? The stick on packages that I looked at said not for use on fabric.

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      The Velcro brand actually makes some specifically to be used with fabric. Some are heat activated and some are just industrial strength bonding (which is what I used). Hope that helps! I purchased it from Lowe’s 😉

  6. Michela Grascia says

    at

    can you tell me where you find the valances? I love the color! thanks for the tips…..

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      They’re from Wayfair!
      http://www.wayfair.com/RLF-Home-Garden-Gate-50-Curtain-Valance-11359XX-QEF1012.html

  7. Michela Grascia says

    at

    Hello,
    thanks for the tips but I don’t understand this part:
    ” So now it’s time to mark the fabric valances where I need to iron a crease. As noted the side of each board is 3.5 inches so I measured and marked that on the back of each valance on the left and right sides. Once everything was marked I ironed a sharp crease in all 5 valances for the hearth room.”

    Do you fold the valance on the back?
    thank you

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      No, it was to wrap the fabric around the sides of the wood. The boards are 44 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep. I needed that side fabric to hide the depth of the wood. Hope that helps!

  8. Jennifer says

    at

    I saw this on Pinterest. My windows are so much like yours and my hubby is willing to help with this project! He is happy they can be removed and washed-less dust to aggravate allergies.Thank you for the tutorial.

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      You’re welcome!

  9. Kristen says

    at

    Love the valances! I’m curious what brand your ‘fireplace’ is and where you purchased it – we’ve been looking for one just like it 🙂 Thank you!

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      We purchased it from Lowe’s. I do not see it on their website right now, but probably because it’s out of season. I think it was Boston Loft brand? Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!

  10. Alisha Loya says

    at

    I think your valances are gorgeous and will use your instructions for my installation. My first question is, I noticed the top of the 2×4 (the portion face ceiling) is bare having no fabric and the wood is exposed. Is this how you designed it and why? Is it noticeable? 2 question, love the fabric which online store do you purchase from? Thank you again and fabulous work.

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      No need to cover with fabric because no one can see that high (even my 6’4 husband!). And you can purchase the curtain panels from here:
      http://www.wayfair.com/RLF-Home-Garden-Gate-Shaped-Cotton-Curtain-Valance-11359XX-L6261-K~QEF1012.html?refid=GX42755235300-QEF1012_7484404&device=c&ptid=59978400420&PiID%5B%5D=7484404&gclid=COrGytf-970CFZRr7AodBUAAgQ&SSAID=389818&refid=SS389818

  11. Malinda Walker says

    at

    I loved the way the valances came out. I am going to make them for my living room and dining room.

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      Thanks! Good luck with yours!

  12. Laurie says

    at

    I found slightly different RLF valances for $30 less expensive than Wayfair.com right on RLFhome.com website w/$10 shipping for all 6 valances and I was able to get (5) 50″ valances and (1) 100″ valance to use for my big window instead of piecing them together like I had planned.
    I am going to use your trick for board mount. Thank you!

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      Awesome tip! Good to know it’s cheaper from their own website.

  13. Yonatan says

    at

    You did not explain how to attach Velcro to the wood (and material).

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      The back side of the Velcro is sticky!

      • Yonatan says

        at

        Thank you. I did not know that! I will look for Velcro in my country otherwise will buy online. Thanks so much.
        Best regards, Yonatan

  14. Yonatan says

    at

    I need to ask regarding the Velcro. I will have to buy online and would like to ask if you used 1 inch and therefore cut 1 inch squares?
    Also, I see there is “extreme” and there is “low profile” – what do you recommend?
    I signed up for your emails and appreciate your input.
    Thanks again and regards,
    Yonatan

  15. laurie says

    at

    This valance is meant to be hung with a curtain rod. I don’t see the puckering or seams for the pocket in your pictures of this valance. Did you trim and hem the top or is it really not noticeable?

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      It’s really not noticeable!

  16. Cynthia Syverson says

    at

    Just curious about the top. Is it left raw wood? The ones I photographed at Calico Corners were wrapped with liner.

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      Yes, just raw wood!

  17. Cleo says

    at

    Very nice. I’ve been looking for something to use as a valance over a Roman shade I made for the master ensuite. I’m curious though….if your window was 35″ wide why did you make it 44″ wide? That’s an overhang of 4.5″ on each side.

    • howtonestforless says

      at

      I had planned on eventually casing out the windows with moldings! Needed to leave myself a little breathing room.

  18. Mary McCarthy says

    at

    Question. I just did this to one of my valances I had. The valance was already lined but I am getting a lot of light showing through the fabric except where the board is. Do you have this problem. It doesn’t look like it from the pictures.

    • carmen says

      at

      No, we didn’t. I’m sorry!

  19. Amy says

    at

    Excellent tutorial! How long did you make your fabric valence? And how high above the window did you hang the boards?

  20. Linda M brooks says

    at

    Can you use the board mounted idea for curtains that will be hung to the ceiling?

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

We love to conquer DIY, home improvement projects, and room makeovers. We're not experts; we just try to design on a dime.

Follow us as we try to update our latest house one project at a time. Check out our archives for over 1,000 DIY and home-related projects. Enjoy! Read More…

ARCHIVES

Copyright Policy

All text and images on this site are copyright of How to Nest for Less, LLC. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content without written permission.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

How to Nest for Less is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Privacy

Copyright © 2025 · glam theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

5681 shares