Wooden Valence over window - yes or no?

15 years ago

I've tried posting this before but it didn't seem to show up so I apologize if this is a repeat posting.

My cabinets will be installed in the next few weeks (hopefully) and in the plans it includes the wooden trim piece over the window. I think its called a wooden valence. I've never paid much attention to it before but I have just started noticing that most kitchens I see on GW don't seem to have that. My contractor had told me that usually a florescent light gets put behind that over the sink but I didn't really like the idea. I'm hoping that if I decide not to put the valence up I can just leave it out and not have to add anything else. Is there a reason for the valence other than looks? I'm just wondering what the general opinion is. Pictures are always welcome!

My ceilings are standard 8 foot ceilings.

Thank you.

Featured Answer

ebse

15 years ago

Too funny.

Our design, too, had a valance, and I never really paid attention to it, like you. Then I wondered, what is that, and why is it there? I told KD no go on valance.

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Comments (15)

sara_the_brit_z6_ct
15 years ago
I don't like them. They were generally used to hide the light fixture - my old kitchen had a recessed spotlight in there. When we re-did the kitchen, we changed to recessed lights within the ceiling itself, so there was no need for a valance to hide a surface mounting. Even if we hadn't, I'd have had a surface mounted pendant rather than have that valance back.
Buehl
15 years ago
Personally, I don't like a valance unless it's absolutely necessary. My old kitchen had one b/c it was over the sink (no window) and hid a fluorescent light...but that was back in '95 and I think they were more prevalent then.

In my new/current kitchen, my sink is in front of a window and has no valance. For lighting at night, I have two pendants b/w the window & sink. My window is a bay window, so the pendants are behind the sink. For those w/a "standard" window behind the sink, I've seen a few options...pendants similar to what I have, a decorative light flush w/the ceiling, recessed lights, and nothing.

Do you have a picture of the elevation of the kitchen, not just the layout, but one that shows what the cabinets look like in a sort-of-3D view?
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growlery
15 years ago
A no valance vote.

Unless there's something you're really trying to hide.

You could always add a piece later.
Freda
15 years ago
I am just finishing my new kitchen. In my old kitchen I had a valance above the window. I don't have one this time and I like it much better.
writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
Another no here, but having said that, I plan to have one, since my ceiling is poured concrete and the valance is the only way to hide the fact that wiring for the over the sink light will be coming from the wall rather than the ceiling.
erikanh
15 years ago
Voting NO on the valance. Put a pretty fixture up there instead.
pharaoh
15 years ago
Another NO on V*l*nce...
msgreatdeals
15 years ago
So funny to see this. I had requested a flat wood valance with Inlay design on it. Going between the cabinets and over my garden window. My present designer removed it right away. On one side it was connected to a 12" cabinet and she removed that also. :-( She's been designing kithens since 1980 so I guess she knows what she is talking about.....
shelayne
15 years ago
We tore ours out and won't be replacing it. The whole window area looks so much more open, and I'm going to have a pretty light fixture to look at instead.

So that would be a "no" from me.
katienic
15 years ago
I removed a cabinet maker from my list of possibilities because he advocated a valance in his design look. I tend to agree with others. I like it open & I like a pretty fixture to look at. (and yes I have a window behind my sink).

So, you can count another "no" to the tally!
boxerpups
15 years ago
jaksopcam,

This is ironic, last night we were having martinis
with friends. There were four couples sitting around
outside. When we went into the kitchen to check out
a mini kitchen reno from the host. There was a HUGE
discussion on the Wood Valance above the sink.

One man said, you need to rip that out.
Another woman said, oh those are dated. Everyone
said it needed to go. Another assured her
if she did not like the new look she could always
go back.

The huge vote was rip it out and change it.

I agree with the others don't put the wooden
valnce up and instead use that
space to hang a beautiful pendant light.

~boxerpups
kateskouros
15 years ago
will it serve a purpose? i can easily nix the form follows function rule for something amazingly beautiful; but a wood valance is neither. another NO.
Amy Smolowitz_Ross
5 years ago
Glad I searched this thread. I had a valence in my kitchen design and I thought, HUH? Am I missing something awesome? I see not. :)
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
Good call! NO valance!

Wooden Valence over window - yes or no?

ebse

Comments (15)

sara_the_brit_z6_ct

Buehl

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