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mrsbrad_gw

Solar shades, should Ieave them bare or get the valance?

MrsBrad
9 years ago

I am getting ready to order some solar shades for my living room but looking for a little advice before I do. I have decided on the Bali brand, color is Benton Pewter with a 10% openness. I have 5 large windows in my living room, 3 of which are very high up and will need to be motorized to operate. I like the minimalist look with clean lines so I was debating between leaving the rollers as is or getting the square valance option offered when you order them. I am wondering if I don't get the valance for the motorized ones if you will be able to see the motors. I have never purchased these before so I'm not sure what to expect. I would like to know which way people have gone (valance/no valance) and whether or not they like the look they've chose. Any advice/pictures are appreciated!

Comments (17)

  • justgotabme
    9 years ago

    A link to the brand you are wanting to order would help so we know what the difference is in the look.

  • MrsBrad
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Here is the link for the solar shades I am referring to.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Bali Solar Shades

  • CanadianLori
    9 years ago

    Get the valance. It will provide a sleek finished look.

  • emmarene9
    9 years ago

    I like the square valance and I think it would still be minimal.

  • justgotabme
    9 years ago

    Thank you for the link. If it were me I'd get the valance for a finished look as Lori said.

  • chiefneil
    9 years ago

    Get the valence. Roller shades without a valence feel a bit commercial, like sitting in a Starbucks or my office at work.

  • palimpsest
    9 years ago

    Where is the motor mounted?

  • MrsBrad
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Thank you for all the responses!

    Palimpsest, I believe it is actually inside the roller tube and the sensor is on the end of it. I haven't actually seen one in person so I'm not certain.

  • sparklebread
    9 years ago

    My solar shades are not by Bali, but they do have the valance. Hope you find the photo helpful.

  • PRO
    BeverlyFLADeziner
    9 years ago

    I would only get solar shades in the bronze color so I can see the exterior through the shades when they are down.

  • MrsBrad
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Your windows are beautiful Sparklebread! Thanks for the picture. I appreciate all the inputs. I'm definitely going to go with the valance!

  • steph2000
    9 years ago

    Hm... I'm stick on beverly's comment. We currently have dark blinds on the house and I am so looking forward to replacing them with white/cream tones to give more light to the space. I like the idea of seeing the exterior through the shades, but I do want privacy from the outside and I do want the window coverings to look light, not dark.

    We will probably go with top down/bottom up shades so I'm not even sure this is an issue for me, but it raises interesting questions I didn't realize would be on the table.

    (Sorry to derail you, OP - glad you are going with the valence)

  • Amalia Blevins
    last year

    Great information in here!
    I like the idea of clean minimalist Solar shades.
    Please add pics to see your final result

  • Joel Relova
    last year

    my wife wants the valance but I'm nervous that it might look bulky... we have a mid-century modern house and furnishing and looking to keep it clean and minimalist..

  • Amalia Blevins
    last year

    I had the same issue a month ago, every single person advise me to get the balance por a cleaner look to hide the motor etc.
    Please share pics! I will eventually

  • Joel Relova
    last year

    i went ahead order the valance cassette with my levolor roller blades. they said its only 3 inches from the top (slim profile). let's see how it looks. i'll post pics when project is done.