Valance vs. Balance: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 10, 2023
Valance refers to a piece of fabric for decorating windows, while Balance relates to an even distribution of weight enabling steadiness.
Key Differences
A valance is a piece of decorative drapery hung above a window to conceal its frame, portraying a primarily aesthetic function. Conversely, balance, in a general context, refers to an equal distribution of weight, promoting stability and equilibrium in physical objects or aspects of life.
In the realm of interior design, a valance adds a finishing touch, providing a polished look to a window treatment, often with no impact on the window's functionality. However, balance in design refers to arranging elements such that no single feature overpowers others, establishing a cohesive and harmonious look.
In chemistry, a valance (often spelled "valence") describes the capacity of an atom to bond with others, indicating its combining power. In a financial context, balance denotes the amount of money held in an account, reflecting the total of credits minus debits.
An electron valance shell in atoms describes the outermost shell involved in forming bonds with other atoms, contributing to the stability and reactivity of the element. Balance, when referring to a tool, describes a device for weighing objects, often consisting of a beam and attached scales.
While valance is specific in its definitions and applications, primarily related to decor and atomic chemistry, balance extends its relevance to various contexts, including physical stability, aesthetics in design, financial status, and mental equilibrium.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
A piece of fabric for window decoration
Even distribution of weight
Contextual Usage
Mostly in interior design or atomic chemistry
Various contexts, including finance and design
Functional Role
Aesthetic or decorative
Ensures stability or equilibrium
Grammatical Category
Commonly a noun
Can be a noun or a verb
Syntactical Role
Typically an object
Can serve as a subject, object, or verb
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Valance and Balance Definitions
Valance
In chemistry, the combining capacity of an atom.
The valance of hydrogen is one.
Balance
A state of equilibrium or equal distribution.
The gymnast maintained her balance on the beam.
Valance
A decorative drapery above windows.
She chose a lace valance for the kitchen window.
Balance
Remaining amount in a financial account.
The account balance is insufficient for the purchase.
Valance
(British) A short curtain or piece of drapery.
A floral valance adorned the four-poster bed.
Balance
Mental or emotional stability.
Finding work-life balance is essential for wellbeing.
Valance
An ornamental drapery hung across a top edge, as of a bed, table, or canopy.
Balance
See Libra.
Valance
A short drapery, decorative board, or metal strip mounted especially across the top of a window to conceal structural fixtures.
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
To supply with valances or a valance.
Balance
A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
Valance
A short curtain that usually hangs along the top edge of a window.
Balance
The power or means to decide
Matters that fell outside the judge's balance.
Valance
A decorative framework used to conceal the curtain mechanism and so on at the top of a window.
Balance
A state of bodily equilibrium
Thrown off balance by a gust of wind.
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
The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium
Gymnasts must have good balance.
Valance
A short, decorative edging of cloth that conceals the legs of a couch, sofa, etc.
Balance
A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.
Valance
The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk, which covers the joint when the lid is closed.
Balance
An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
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
The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
Valance
The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk, which covers the joint when the lid is closed.
Balance
Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
Valance
To furnish with a valance; to decorate with hangings or drapery.
His old fringed chair valanced around with party-colored worsted bobs.
Balance
The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
Valance
A decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing
Balance
Something that is left over; a remainder.
Valance
An outermost electron shell.
The valance shell of helium is complete with two electrons.
Balance
(Chemistry) Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.
Valance
A horizontal piece in a bed, hiding the bed base.
A striped valance covered the bed base elegantly.
Balance
(Mathematics) Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.
Balance
A balance wheel.
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
To distribute weight to maintain stability.
Balance the scales to ensure accurate measurements.
Balance
Counteract or offset.
He donated to charity to balance his carbon footprint.
FAQs
What does balance mean in a financial context?
In finance, balance refers to the amount of money in an account after adding all credits and subtracting all debits.
Can balance relate to mental health?
Yes, balance can refer to maintaining mental and emotional stability.
Can valance refer to an atomic concept?
Yes, valance can describe an electron shell or an atom's combining capacity in chemistry.
What does it mean to lose one’s balance?
Losing balance means becoming unstable and potentially falling or failing to remain upright.
Can valance relate to chemistry?
Yes, valance can describe an atom's ability to bond with others, and also refers to the outermost electron shell.
Does a valance have a functional purpose?
Typically, a valance is used for decorative purposes rather than functional.
Are valances always fabric?
Generally, yes. Valances are typically made of fabric and used for decorative purposes in interior design.
Are valances outdated?
Valances are traditional, but their popularity in interior design can vary over time and by personal preference.
How does one achieve balance in life?
Achieving life balance involves managing personal, professional, and recreational activities to maintain overall well-being.
Is a valance always visible?
Usually, yes. Valances are often used to add decorative appeal and are meant to be seen.
Can you balance a diet?
Yes, a balanced diet means consuming the right proportion of various nutrients.
Why is balance important in exercise?
Balance in exercise prevents injuries, enhances coordination, and provides an effective workout.
Can balance be used as a verb?
Yes, "balance" can be a verb, e.g., to balance weights or to balance a budget.
How does balance apply in design?
Balance in design involves arranging elements to ensure no single part overwhelms the rest, creating a harmonious look.
Does balance always mean 50:50 distribution?
Not necessarily. Balance means an even or harmonious distribution, which may not always be 50:50.
Does valance have different spellings?
In chemical contexts, it's often spelled "valence".
Can a valance be used in kitchens?
Yes, valances can be used in any room, including kitchens, to decorate windows.
Is it possible to balance work and leisure?
Yes, with effective time management and prioritization, one can balance work and leisure.
Can a bed have a valance?
Yes, beds can have valances, which are pieces of fabric that skirt the bed base.
Is a valance similar to curtains?
A valance is like a short curtain, primarily for decoration, placed above the main curtains or blinds.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
