In some ways a kitchen is a great place to hang window valances. That is because you need the softening effect of fabric with all the hard cabinets, appliances and tiling around the room. While curtains might get in the way and get dirty as they are usually so near to either the kitchen sink or food preparation areas, valances are at the top of the window and usually high enough to avoid getting wet or splashed with food. On the other hand, you are probably better off with a simple valance, rather than a scarf valance, for the following reasons.
1. Frequent Laundering
A kitchen valance is high above the work surfaces of the kitchen, but it is still subject to all the grease and steam, which hangs about in the atmosphere. Therefore it will need frequent laundering, probably every few weeks. Scarf valances are usually made from very thin flimsy fabric (giving them their great draping qualities) and unfortunately this type of fabric may not stand up well to constant laundering.
2. Arranging the Valance
Scarf valances generally need a bit of arranging to get the right look when you put them up, and you can spend a bit of time getting the folds just right. What may be interesting the first time, will become annoying when you have to do it after every wash.
3. Too Soft in Style
Although you want some kind of softening effect with your kitchen valance, a scarf valance is generally too soft in style for the room. It is more in keeping with a romantic bedroom or a kid's fairy princess room than a practical kitchen. It also does not pair well with other window treatments typically used in a kitchen, such as venetian or roller blinds and cotton curtains, all of which have a practical, no nonsense look, rather than the floaty one, suggested by a scarf valance. If you decide you want a scarf valance, however, look for fabric which is as substantial as possible while still draping well, for example, thin soft cotton rather than voile.
US $121.37
