If you’re looking for a simple and stylish way to elevate your bathroom window or add character above a tub, a DIY wood cornice might be just the thing. We recently added one above our bathtub, and I’m in love with how it turned out! With a little creativity (and an IKEA kids bowl!), you can make your own charming squiggle-edged valance too. Here’s how we did it step by step.

How to Make a DIY Wood Cornice with a Wavy Edge

But Wait—Are Cornices or Valances Still in Style?

They are coming back in style! While traditional versions might bring to mind ornate, heavy designs, today’s cornices and valances have had a modern makeover. Think clean lines, soft curves, minimalist details, and on-trend colors or textures. They’re still very much in style—just with a fresh, tailored look that complements contemporary spaces beautifully.

What’s the Difference Between a Cornice and a Valance?

While both cornices and valances serve as decorative window treatments, they each bring a different vibe to a space. A cornice is a structured, box-like frame—usually made from wood or other firm materials—that adds a crisp, architectural feel. In contrast, a valance is typically made from fabric and drapes loosely across the top of a window, offering a softer, more casual look.

If you’re going for something sleek and tailored, a DIY wood cornice like this project is a great choice. But if you love the flowy, layered look of textiles, a fabric valance might be more your style. Both can be beautiful—it just depends on the aesthetic you’re after!

SUPPLIES

step 1- Cut the Wood

To start, use a table saw, cut your plywood sheet into a 10” x 8’ strip. This will become the face of your DIY wood cornice.

With your chop saw, cut the strip down to your desired width. We went with 60” to span the space from wall to wall above the tub.

Take a 2×4 scrap and cut it in half lengthwise with a table saw. Then cut two 7” long pieces with your chop saw to use as the side supports for the cornice.

step 2-Mark the Wave Line

Next, measure 2-3/8” up from the bottom edge of your plywood and draw a straight line across the entire length.

This will guide how tall your wave (or squiggle) pattern can be.

Now for the fun part! Grab your IKEA kids bowl (it has a 4″ diameter) and trace along the bottom edge of the plywood. Start with one half-circle, then move the bowl so the next curve connects seamlessly to the previous one. Alternate between placing the top of the bowl on the bottom of the plywood and on the guide line you just drew to create a playful, organic wave.

If you prefer a scallop edge, trace 1/2 the bowl. Place the bowl half way on the drawn line, trace it, and repeat.

step 3-Cut the Squiggle

Use bar clamps to hold the wood onto a table. And now, using a jigsaw, carefully cut along your pencil marks to create the wavy bottom edge of the DIY wood cornice. Go super slow and make sure the blade follows the line for a clean finished product.

step 4- Smooth and Paint

To clean up the cornice, sand the edges until they’re smooth (the wood tends to splinter a bit where it’s cut). Then paint the wood with your chosen color—we used Loft Light for a soft, modern look.

step 5- assembly

To assemble, start by attaching the side supports with a drill directly to the wall—use two screws per side to make sure they’re secure.

Then, with the side supports in place, use a nail gun to fasten the front panel of the cornice to the side supports.

Finally, fill any screw or nail holes with wood filler. Caulk all the seams for a smooth, finished look. Once everything is dry, sand the filled areas, then paint over them for a seamless finish.

after

The DIY wood cornice is now up and adding a custom, high-end look to the space.

I really love a bath that feels like a featured moment—a cozy little cocoon—and a statement drape helps create that feeling.

The cornice not only hides the drapery hardware but also draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller and more intentional.

And with a playful wave cut or bold paint color, it becomes a design element all on its own.

It’s such a fun way to add style where there wasn’t anything before!

price breakdown

I thought I’d create a price breakdown for the cornice. The plywood cost $20, the paint (in the color Loft Light) was $7, and the purple tassel tiebacks were $9. The drapes came in a set of two for $40, the silver tie back hooks were $18, and the adjustable shower rod was $22. Grand total- $116

For the drama the cornice adds, I’m happy with that price. It really creates a focal point in the room and plays so well with the wallpaper!

In my own bathroom, I created a bath nook feel with beams on either side of the tub and matching decorative brackets at the top—but in this tighter bathroom, a single cornice like this one works beautifully. I redid this space for my grandma, so it’s especially meaningful to see it come together!

She’s a total bath girl, so the center-opening drapes are ideal since a traditional shower curtain isn’t really needed with a tub. I love how it turned out—it’s functional and special all at once.

I thought I’d also share a few more picture of the finished room-

My grandma had a bird clock. It has a dark green edge so I thought it still works nicely! She loves birds so this definitely had to go back in the room.

This room was super neutral before. To add a bit of fun color, I painted the door Queen’s Violet. My grandma chose the color and I think it’s such a cute touch!

I added a gallery wall with a few items I found at the antique store. I usually use gold accents, but my grandma loves silver so I got to try something new. There’s a few pictures of my grandma and grandpa when they were first married, a needlepoint in the perfect colors, a round pipe cover that looks similar to the farm my grams grew up on, and a mini silver tray.