How to Put a Valance on Blinds: Valance Clips, Steps, and Fixes

To put a valance on blinds, fit the valance clips onto the headrail, spaced along its length, then press the valance onto the clips until each one holds. A blind valance is the decorative strip that covers the headrail and its hardware.

Value Blinds premium faux wood, basswood, and bamboo blinds come with a headrail, bottom rail, and valance made to match the color of the blind.

Table of contents

1. What Is a Blind Valance?

2. How Do Blind Valance Clips Work?

3. What Do You Need to Install a Valance?

4. How to Put a Valance on Blinds, Step by Step

5. Where Should the Valance Clips Go?

6. Does the Valance Fit an Inside Mount?

7. How Do You Remove a Blind Valance?

8. How Do You Measure for Replacement Valance Clips?

9. Why Will My Valance Not Stay On?

10. Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Blind Valance?

A blind valance is a strip of matching material that runs across the front of the headrail. It hides the headrail, the brackets, and the tilt and lift parts, so the top of the window looks finished.

On our premium faux wood blinds  and our basswood and bamboo  wood blinds , the factory supplies the valance in the same color as the blind, along with the headrail and bottom rail.

How Do Blind Valance Clips Work?

A valance clip grips the headrail at one end and holds the valance at the other. The clips go on the headrail first. The valance then presses onto the front of the clips.

Clip designs differ between blinds, so use the clips that came with your blind. Where any instructions in the box differ from the steps below, follow those instructions.

What Do You Need to Install a Valance?

• The valance and the valance clips that came with your blind

• A tape measure

• A pencil

• A screwdriver, if your blind's instructions call for one

• A level

• A step ladder, if the blind is already hung

How to Put a Valance on Blinds, Step by Step

1. If the blind is not hung yet, lay the headrail on a flat table. Placing clips is easier when the headrail is not over your head.

2. Measure the length of the headrail.

3. Mark a clip position near each end with a pencil.

4. Mark more clip positions, spaced evenly between the end marks.

5. Check that no mark sits where a mounting bracket will hold the headrail.

6. Move any mark that sits at a bracket, so the clip and the bracket do not clash.

7. Fit a clip onto the headrail at each mark, following any instructions that came with your blind.

8. Pull gently on each clip to check that it holds.

9. Hang the blind in its brackets, if it is not hung already.

10. Line the valance up with the clips, centered on the headrail.

11. Press the valance onto the clip at one end until it holds.

12. Work along the headrail, pressing the valance onto each clip in turn.

13. Check the valance with a level.

14. Reseat any clip that sits low.

 

Where Should the Valance Clips Go?

Put one clip near each end of the headrail so the valance corners do not lift. Space the rest evenly across the headrail. On a wide blind, add clips toward the middle so the valance does not sag between them.

Keep every clip clear of the mounting brackets. A clip sitting over a bracket can stop the headrail from seating, or push the valance out of line.

Does the Valance Fit an Inside Mount?

An inside mount puts the blind inside the window frame, so the frame has to be deep enough for the blind and, on some products, for the valance as well. Check the minimum depth on the product page before you order:

If your frame is shallower than the listed depth, choose outside mount. With an outside mount, the blind and the valance sit on the wall or trim above the window, so frame depth does not limit them.

Hanging the blind itself? Our guide to installing cordless blinds walks through inside mount and outside mount.

How Do You Remove a Blind Valance?

1. Hold the valance at one end.

2. Tilt the bottom edge of the valance outward, away from the window, until it releases from the clip.

3. Move along the headrail and release the valance from each clip in turn.

4. Lay the valance flat so the edges do not bend.

Do not pull the valance straight off. A sharp pull can snap a clip. If your clips release a different way, follow any instructions that came with your blind.

How Do You Measure for Replacement Valance Clips?

Valance clips are shaped to fit a particular headrail, so match the replacement to the headrail rather than to the window.

1. Measure the height of the headrail.

2. Measure the depth of the headrail from front to back.

3. Note how your old clips attach to the headrail.

4. Take a photo of an old clip on the headrail.

Keep those details on hand when you shop for a replacement clip.

Why Will My Valance Not Stay On?

The valance will not press on. Do not force it. If your blind came with instructions, check how the back of the valance meets the clip, then try again.

The valance falls off. A clip is loose or not fully seated on the headrail. Take the valance off, reseat the clip, and press the valance on again.

The valance sits crooked. One clip sits lower than the others. Reseat or reposition that clip, then check the valance with a level.

The valance sags in the middle. The clips are too far apart. Add a clip near the center of the headrail.

A clip will not fit next to a bracket. Move the clip a little to one side so it clears the bracket.

A clip is broken or missing. Clips are made to fit a particular headrail, so a clip from another blind may not hold. See the replacement clip steps above before you buy one.

Rather have someone else hang your blinds and valances? We offer professional measuring and installation  across the U.S. through our partner, National Blinds Installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you attach a valance to blinds?

Fit the valance clips onto the headrail, one near each end and the rest spaced evenly, then press the valance onto the clips until each one holds.

How do blind valance clips work?

Each clip grips the headrail and holds the valance on its front. The clips go on the headrail first, and the valance presses onto them.

Do Value Blinds blinds come with a valance?

Our premium faux wood, basswood, and bamboo blinds come with a headrail, bottom rail, and valance made to match the color of the blind.

How many valance clips do I need?

Use one near each end of the headrail, then space more evenly across it. Wide blinds need extra clips toward the middle so the valance does not sag.

How do I measure for replacement valance clips?

Measure the height of the headrail and its depth from front to back, and note how the old clips attach to the headrail. Clips are matched to the headrail, not the window.

Why does my valance keep falling off?

A clip is usually loose or not fully seated on the headrail. Reseat the clip and press the valance back on.