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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think ‘valances’ are frustratingly designed

16 replies

ThankGodImAnAtheist · 19/01/2022 19:06

A third world frustration. We bought our first divan bed a while ago. To protect the light coloured base, I eventually bought a valance, knowing very little about them. The only ones I could find are basically a sheet which goes under the mattress, and hangs over the sides of the base. AIBU to be so frustrated with something that must be being used by a lot of people for as long as divans have existed ? All it has to do is protect and conceal the 3 sides of a divan base. Firstly it was a nightmare to fit … two of us struggling with a heavy mattress which it needs to lie smoothly under. Next, it seems to be such a waste of material: the huge area under the mattress which you never see or use, and adding to its cost. And then it doesn’t look good: the material is the same as a standard sheet, it just hangs limply with a pleat in the centre of each side. Why can’t it be made of cheaper netting in the middle, edged with a very thick material to hang down stiffly and neatly ? I vaguely remember seeing one decades ago which just attached around the sides using elastic, so no ‘centre piece’ and easy to remove. We’ve had it a while now and it continues to annoy … constantly ruffling up or slipping down when you make the bed, gathering dust because it’s so awkward to remove for washing, generally looking crap. Rant over … we love the divan and are very lucky to have it, but f anyone knows of a better solution I would love to hear !

OP posts:
Answeringwhyquestionssince2002 · 19/01/2022 19:19

YANBU, ours looks rubbish, and gets rucked up and disappears under the mattress every time we turn it over. But I've always assumed it serves me right for buying it from ASDA

Ragwort · 19/01/2022 19:37

I haven't seen a valance in use for years ... do people still use them? Surely the duvet hangs down and hides the 'sides' of the divan?

I run a charity shop and we were donated a brand new valence (in packaging) this week .. I didn't even put it out on sale.

Fraine · 19/01/2022 19:41

We have a valance sheet on the guest bed, we just put the sheet on top of the mattress. It works really well.

minipie · 19/01/2022 19:42

A lot of the La Redoute valances have thinner cheaper material in the middle.

I think you mean first world problem!

BitterTits · 19/01/2022 19:43

Never had one, and now I'll probably never buy a divan base!

Soubriquet · 19/01/2022 19:44

They are also difficult to source in shops

Uptoongirl · 19/01/2022 19:46

Look at divan wraps on Etsy, I got one to match my base to a new headboard. Slips over, elasticated and looks good. Not great for getting things out of the drawers but I don't really need to go in often.

MyQuietPlace · 19/01/2022 19:47

Aren't valances rather old-fashioned? I just have a duvet on, and it hangs down at the sides of the (metal-framed, brass) bed

Cuck00soup · 19/01/2022 19:49

You can get valances like you describe or ones that fit over the mattress too.

We have the sheet ones and I use fitted sheets on top to make washing easier. (I'm too slatternley to iron).

While I would usually go for good quality cotton sheets to sleep on, for a valance I'd look for something with polyester in so that it hangs better as and is low maintenance.

ThankGodImAnAtheist · 19/01/2022 20:49

Thanks for all your advice, I’ll look into the suggestions. Sorry, yes I meant to say it’s a 1st world problem ! Forgot to say another reason I got one is because the divan base is in two parts, bolted together, so looks odd from some angles. The duvet solution sounds great but I would have to get a new huge one for it drape onto the floor, but I guess a good option if you’re buying all the bedding from scratch. Thanks for all your time 😊

OP posts:
JustALittleHelpPlease · 19/01/2022 20:54

I got a giant bedspread instead, hangs to the floor, looks lovely with the room etc and can be washed as required without faffing.

Doesn't work when you take it off for the night but it doesn't matter because you're in it then Grin

JustALittleHelpPlease · 19/01/2022 20:56

Sorry, meant to say it is thin silk not giant like your granny had!

melj1213 · 19/01/2022 21:02

Yeah I gave up with valance sheets and instead I just have a bedspread that covers the entire bed and hides the base during the day and at night you're already in it so I don't care what it looks like

Additionally a bedspread thrown over the bed in seconds always makes the room look tidier even on days when I can't be bothered spending ages making the bed properly.

Voice0fReason · 19/01/2022 22:15

Horrible looking things that serve no purpose at all.
Just don't have one.

ErrolTheDragon · 19/01/2022 22:20

@minipie

A lot of the La Redoute valances have thinner cheaper material in the middle.

I think you mean first world problem!

I think mine was from the White Company - thin sheeting centre, heavier waffle weave edge. It doesn't need washing very often, it's not like it's actually being slept on directly. I can easily tip the mattress off to do it when I need to.
angelikacpickles · 19/01/2022 22:26

YABU for having a valance.

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