Valance vs. Balance — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
Valance is a decorative drapery or frame at the top of a window. Balance is a state of equilibrium or the act of distributing weight to achieve stability.
Difference Between Valance and Balance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Valance refers to a piece of fabric or decorative element used to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window. Balance, in contrast, is a concept involving the equal distribution of weight, leading to stability or equilibrium.
A valance is often used for aesthetic purposes in interior design, enhancing the appearance of a room. Balance can be a physical phenomenon, like a balanced scale, or a figurative concept, such as work-life balance.
In its usage, valance is specific to decor, particularly in relation to window treatments. Balance has diverse applications, from science and mathematics to personal finance and mental well-being.
The term valance does not imply movement or adjustment. Balance, however, often involves adjustment or fine-tuning to maintain or achieve a state of equilibrium.
Valance has limited meanings, primarily in interior design. Balance has multiple meanings and is used in various contexts, implying harmony, stability, or fairness.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A decorative window treatment.
A state or act of maintaining equilibrium.
Context
Mostly used in interior design.
Used in physical, financial, and metaphorical contexts.
Function
Primarily decorative.
Implies equilibrium or even distribution.
Movement
Static, no implication of movement.
Often involves adjustment or movement.
Connotations
Limited to aesthetics or decor.
Broad, implying fairness, stability, harmony.
Compare with Definitions
Valance
A decorative frame for the top part of a window.
A wooden valance complemented the blinds.
Balance
Stability in motion or position.
The dancer showed incredible balance.
Valance
An ornamental drapery for window decoration.
The brightly colored valance brightened the room.
Balance
Remaining amount in a financial account.
His bank balance was unexpectedly low.
Valance
A short curtain or drape for concealing fixtures.
She hung a lace valance over the window.
Balance
See Libra.
Valance
A fabric border used in window treatment.
The velvet valance matched the room’s elegance.
Balance
A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless. Also called scale.
Valance
A decorative drapery at a window's top.
The floral valance added charm to the kitchen.
Balance
A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
Valance
A length of decorative drapery attached to the canopy or frame of a bed in order to screen the structure or the space beneath it.
Balance
The power or means to decide
Matters that fell outside the judge's balance.
Valance
An ornamental drapery hung across a top edge, as of a bed, table, or canopy.
Balance
A state of bodily equilibrium
Thrown off balance by a gust of wind.
Valance
A short drapery, decorative board, or metal strip mounted especially across the top of a window to conceal structural fixtures.
Balance
The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium
Gymnasts must have good balance.
Valance
To supply with valances or a valance.
Balance
A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.
Valance
A short curtain that usually hangs along the top edge of a window.
Balance
An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
Valance
A decorative framework used to conceal the curtain mechanism and so on at the top of a window.
Balance
The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
Valance
(bedding) A short, decorative edging of cloth that hangs from beneath the mattress to the floor used to conceal the boxspring or space under the bed and prevent dust from accumulating there.
Balance
Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
Valance
A short, decorative edging of cloth that conceals the legs of a couch, sofa, etc.
Balance
The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
Valance
The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk, which covers the joint when the lid is closed.
Balance
Something that is left over; a remainder.
Valance
Hanging drapery for a bed, couch, window, or the like, especially that which hangs around a bedstead, from the bed to the floor.
Valance of Venice gold in needlework.
Balance
(Chemistry) Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.
Valance
The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk, which covers the joint when the lid is closed.
Balance
(Mathematics) Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.
Valance
To furnish with a valance; to decorate with hangings or drapery.
His old fringed chair valanced around with party-colored worsted bobs.
Balance
A balance wheel.
Valance
A decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing
Balance
To determine the weight of (something) in a weighing device.
Balance
To consider and compare or assess
Balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.
Balance
To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.
Balance
To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.
Balance
To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).
Balance
To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).
Balance
To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.
Balance
To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.
Balance
Mathematics & Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.
Balance
To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).
Balance
To be in or come into equilibrium.
Balance
To be equal or equivalent.
Balance
To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.
Balance
To move toward and then away from a dance partner.
Balance
(uncountable) A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
Balance
(uncountable) Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
Balance
Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah
Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
Balance
A pair of scales.
Balance
(uncountable) Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
Balance
(uncountable) The overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others.
The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.
I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.
Balance
(uncountable) Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
Balance
(accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
Balance
(accounting) The result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.
I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance.
Balance
(watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
Balance
The remainder.
The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220.
Balance
Libra.
Balance
(transitive) To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
Balance
To make (concepts) agree.
Balance
(transitive) To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.
I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.
The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.
Balance
(transitive) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
To balance partners
Balance
(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
To balance the boom mainsail
Balance
(transitive) To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
This final payment, or credit, balances the account.
To balance a set of books
Balance
(intransitive) To be in equilibrium.
Balance
(intransitive) To have matching credits and debits.
Balance
To weigh in a balance.
Balance
To hesitate or fluctuate.
Balance
An apparatus for weighing.
Balance
Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
Balance
Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
Balance
The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each sideTo make his balance true.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
English workmen completely lose their balance.
Balance
An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; - also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account.
I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text.
Balance
A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
Balance
The constellation Libra.
Balance
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
Balance
To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.
Balance
To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
One expression . . . must check and balance another.
Balance
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things.
Balance
To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.
Balance
To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; - said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.
Balance
To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.
Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
Balance
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
Balance
To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
Balance
To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice.
Balance
To move toward a person or couple, and then back.
Balance
A state of equilibrium
Balance
A scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
Balance
Equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balance
Harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design);
In all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance
Balance
Equality of distribution
Balance
Something left after other parts have been taken away;
There was no remainder
He threw away the rest
He took what he wanted and I got the balance
Balance
The difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balance
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun in in Libra
Balance
The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
Balance
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact correspondence of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Balance
An equivalent counterbalancing weight
Balance
A wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
Balance
Bring into balance or equilibrium;
She has to balance work and her domestic duties
Balance the two weights
Balance
Compute credits and debits of an account
Balance
Hold or carry in equilibrium
Balance
Be in equilibrium;
He was balancing on one foot
Balance
A state of equilibrium.
She maintained her balance on the tightrope.
Balance
Even distribution of weight.
The balance of the sculpture was crucial to its stability.
Balance
Harmonious arrangement of elements.
The painting struck a perfect color balance.
Common Curiosities
Are valances out of fashion?
No, valances are still popular in traditional and modern decor.
Do valances serve a functional purpose?
They primarily serve a decorative purpose, though they can hide fixtures.
Are valances easy to install?
Generally, they are simple to install with curtain rods.
Is balance important in art and design?
Absolutely, balance is a key principle in art and design.
Can balance refer to emotional well-being?
Yes, balance can imply emotional or mental equilibrium.
Can valances be used in any room?
Yes, they can enhance the decor of any room.
Do valances need to match curtains?
Not necessarily, but coordinating them creates a cohesive look.
Is maintaining balance important in sports?
Yes, balance is crucial in many athletic activities.
Is a valance only used for windows?
Primarily, yes, valances are for window decor.
Does balance always involve physical objects?
No, balance can also refer to abstract concepts like time management.
Can valances be made of different materials?
Yes, valances come in various fabrics and materials.
Does balance relate to financial terms?
Yes, balance can refer to the amount in a financial account.
Can balance be achieved in a busy life?
Yes, with time management and prioritization.
Does balance mean equal distribution?
Often, but it can also mean appropriate or harmonious distribution.
Are valances only for traditional decor?
No, they can be designed to fit modern aesthetics as well.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
