Understanding the differences between cornices and valances will help you make the right choice for dressing up the top of your window and concealing the rod.

While many still enjoy a formal lifestyle, many have opted for more relaxed home decor. Valances tend to be mostly seen in more formal settings such as living room and dining areas or master bedrooms.

To help you transform curtain confusion into window-covering wisdom, we've created a quick guide to different types of curtains, curtain rods, and curtain styles. Think of it as Curtains 101 ...