To put it simply, a cornice is a solid and often wooden fixture that covers the top of a window, while a valance is a soft fabric that drapes across the top, concealing the curtain rod.

How High Should You Mount Drapery Panels? Loom Decor suggests mounting the curtain hardware five to 15 inches above the window frame, which thereby elongates the visual height of the window and ...

A good curtain rod will be versatile, both in terms of function and aesthetics: Ideally, you’ll change them out less often than your curtains, so you want them to work with a range of styles.