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Top Treatments That Add Value to Your Interiors

  • Digvijay Bhayana
  • Jun 7
  • 3 min read

When it comes to elevating a room, the little details often make the biggest impact. One of the most underutilized - yet transformative - details in window design is the top treatment. Whether it’s a tailored cornice, a soft valance, or elegant swags, these finishing elements can shift your space from standard to stunning.


Examples of top window treatments including cornices valances swags and upholstered headers in a variety of room settings
See how top treatments like cornices valances and swags can elevate your room design

In this guide, we’ll explore the most effective top treatments that add value to your interiors, helping you create polished, professionally styled spaces.


Top Treatments That Add Value to Your Interiors - What They Do & Why They Matter

Top treatments offer more than decoration. They bring structure, symmetry, and a designer-level finish to every window they dress.


1 - Cornices: Structured & Sophisticated


What they are:

Cornices are upholstered wooden boards installed at the top of the window to conceal hardware and add formality.


Why they add value:

  • Create a finished, architectural look

  • Hide curtain rods, motorization, or functional mechanics

  • Offer a tailored aesthetic — great for transitional and modern interiors


Best Rooms:

Living rooms, home offices, dining rooms


2 - Valances: Soft & Versatile


What they are:

Fabric panels that hang across the top of the window, often pleated, shaped, or scalloped.


Why they add value:

  • Add color and texture without overwhelming the room

  • Work well with layered treatments or on their own

  • Affordable way to customize the look of ready-made drapery or shades


Best Rooms:

Kitchens, bathrooms, casual dining spaces, guest bedrooms


3 - Swags & Cascades: Elegant & Dramatic


What they are:

Draped fabric treatments that curve across the top of the window, often with long flowing side panels or cascades.


Why they add value:

  • Add instant drama and softness

  • Great for formal spaces or high ceilings

  • Introduce movement and classic elegance


Best Rooms:

Formal dining rooms, entryways, traditional living rooms

4 - Arched and Shaped Top Treatments


What they are:

Custom-cut valances or cornices designed to follow arched or specialty-shaped windows.


Why they add value:

  • Preserve and highlight architectural features

  • Offer a fully custom solution

  • Can soften hard angles or emphasize curves


Best Rooms:

Rooms with arched windows, bay windows, or transoms

5 - Layered Top Treatments


What they are:

Top treatments that combine materials or shapes — such as a valance over shades, or a cornice above drapery panels.


Why they add value:

  • Offer visual depth and sophistication

  • Allow functional and decorative layers to coexist

  • Make windows look taller and more complete


Best Rooms:

Anywhere you want to maximize light control and style


Why Top Treatments Work in Professional Design


Interior designers use top treatments to:

  • Add polish and structure

  • Create consistency across multiple windows

  • Balance large or tall spaces

  • Hide necessary but unsightly functional elements

  • Reinforce a room’s color palette and style direction


They’re a go-to finishing touch in projects where “custom” and “complete” matter most.


Custom Top Treatments by DDCD


At DDCD, every top treatment is made to order in our workroom — measured, shaped, and finished for your exact project.


  • Cornices, valances, swags, and shaped designs

  • Fully upholstered, lined, and finished

  • Coordinated fabrics, trims, and custom templates

  • Perfect for pairing with drapery, shades, or standalone use


Final Thoughts


From adding structure to elevating style, top treatments that add value to your interiors are a smart investment - especially when designed with intention. Whether you’re dressing a single window or styling a full home, DDCD can help you create a window story that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

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