Bed valance

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Now, this is something beds have always worn, throughout my life, since duvets replaced bedspreads.

Beds in my house are divan style with under bed storage, covered in chintzy fabric. I think this is usual? A beautiful bed frame is less common, less comfortable and less practical than a divan bed?

However the valance seems very dated, duvet sets don't come with them any more. I'm in the process of making myself a beautiful bedroom for the first time in my life. How do I "dress" the divan base?

I think you’ve got a few options. You could go the traditional route of a valance or platform valance. Not all of them are frilly; some platform balances are flat with a pleat in each corner. They are difficult to find though.

Or you could do some diy and cover the base with upholstery fabric and a staple gun. There are tutorials on You Tube but you need to be certain of your fabric choice because removing the staples will ruin the fabric.

DS has a bed with one underneath and I covered it in some nice fabric with a flap to access the under bed

Downstairs bed I've used a matching sheet to cover the base, had to trim it to size, so it's sort of like a balance but with no pleats

I had no idea people still did this, or that they described it as the bed 'wearing' a valance or being dressed.

Seems very old fashioned to me.

Our own bed is just a frame with space underneath that serves as a cats playground. They have cushions, boxes dead things and toys down there.

We also have a spare bed that's an ikea storage bed. I wouldn't want to cover the drawers up with fabric because I see no need to put them in a disguise and it would be a PITA to have to lift it up to actually use the drawers.

Do you need the underbed storage and are you planning to replace this bed, or will it be used in your otherwise new bedroom?

We bought a divan with a plain, but colourish coordinated with the carpet so we dodnt need the valance.
Previous bed had hideous floral patterned fabric, and we had a box valance to hide it. Just flick it up when drawer access was required. Dunelm would be my first port of call if I needed another.

Ive never had a divan but know from hotels that you can buy more modern wraps rather than loose valances: www.richardhaworth.co.uk/belledorm-faux-suede-base-wrap?price_display=2&gclid=CjwKCAjw8cCGBhB6EiwAgORey7fCmjwUCRqDkrQeP56DgO96pbHBtt7aJ4dZnDSAZrDIDjYDY6ra9xoCkZsQAvD_BwE

Wow this takes me back - haven’t seen a valance in many a year! All my beds are bedstead style so no need for valances. Trying to think when I last saw a divan bed in someone’s home…a few friends have those lift up beds with under storage, but they have upholstered bottoms to match the headboard so no valance their either. I think you’re going to have to make one tbh, unless a specialist store could help. Good luck, hope you enjoy your lovely new bedroom when it’s done.

You could staple fabric on as PP suggested, which would look lovely. But that won't work if your divan has drawers in it as you won't be able to access them. You can get stretchy valances which do the same thing though, but which come off so you can access the drawers. Think they are called bed wraps. They cover the divan base but don't look frilly/pleated like valances.

Zara Home do lovely plain flat valances

I wouldn't want to cover the drawers up with fabric because I see no need to put them in a disguise and it would be a PITA to have to lift it up to actually use the drawers.

The chintzy fabric her divan is currently covered in is likely to stick out like a sore thumb in the beautiful bedroom she’s planning so it’s not shocking she wants to disguise it. And you don’t cover the drawers with fabric. You pull them open and staple the fabric to the inside, tucking in and stapling the fabric on the inside of the body of the divan so the staples can’t be seen.

Divan bases are now covered in rather nice, plain fabric, rather than the old way of using the same fabric as the mattress. You don’t need a valance if the fabric is plain canvas etc.

God I wish there was an edit button! I mean you don’t just wrap the fabric around the whole base so you can’t access the drawers. You take the drawers out, cover them separately and staple the cut fabric on the inside on the divan.