How to dress bay windows

Product Management specialist

Written: 19/11/2018

Updated: 23/07/2024

Many of us live in homes that were built during the Victorian era. If we’re fortunate, these may contain original features such as stunning cast iron fireplaces. One of the best features of Victorian houses - we’re sure you’ll agree - is beautiful big bay windows.

Although they are usually associated with period properties, bay windows can sometimes be found in contemporary environments. A key benefit of bay windows is that they project outwards from the main walls of your home, providing a spacious effect. So if you’re lucky enough to have one in your home, it’s vital to make the most of it.

Because there are many different types of bay windows - from angled bay to multifaceted bay and bow windows - and the shape of each is unique, it’s important to select a bespoke window covering that will fit perfectly.

Bay windows can be difficult to dress but in this video guide our head of product design, Sarah Quilliam, shares her 5 top tips on how to get it just right.

Choose made-to-measure products
Use made-to-measure blinds to provide a neat and tidy look. For an extra touch of luxury, select elegant Romans and set the blinds in separate segments of your bay window at different heights to create interest.

Browse blackout blinds
Ask the experts
Ask your local advisor about the best option to suit your window. A Custom-made curved headrail can be made to fit Vertical blinds and curtains to bay, bow and some corner windows. For angled bay windows, a blind can be fitted to each section of the window to create a similar effect.

Save
Let lots of lovely light in
Bay windows increase the flow of natural light into your home and give you views of the outside that you wouldn’t get with an ordinary window. To emphasise this, pick out lightweight Roller blinds or sheer Pleated blinds, which create a lovely ambience by allowing sunlight to gently filter into your room.

Save
Cosy up with fully-lined fabrics
As bay windows use more glass than a normal window, there is a small chance of further heat escaping from them. If you’re worried about getting chilly, fully-lined curtains and Roman blinds or Pleated blinds in performance fabrics are ideal, as they help to insulate your home by keeping as much heat as possible in the room.

View Vertical blind
Select shutters for a striking effect

Our Shutters range is perfect for homes with uniquely shaped windows, as they are tailor made to fit the space available. Choose larger louvres to allow more light into your room, or smaller ones if your bay window faces a busy street.

Tier-on-Tier shutters are a versatile option as the top and bottom halves of the shutters open independently of each other, so you can throw open the top set to let some sunlight in while keeping the bottom set closed for a little more privacy.

Save

Bay window terminology

Take a look at our handy guide to find out what type of bay window you have:

Angled / Canted: Made up of a flat front and angled sides

Bow: Made up of curved windows

Multifaceted: Made up of seven panes of glass, rather than the usual three

Triangular: Made up of two windows set at 120 degrees

Oriel: Supported by a corbel or bracket

Although they are usually associated with period properties, bay windows can sometimes be found in contemporary environments.A key benefit of bay windows is that they project outwards from the main walls of your home, providing a spacious effect. So if you’re lucky enough to have one in your home, it’s vital to make the most of it.

Bay windows can be difficult to dress but in this video guide our head of product design, Sarah Quilliam, shares her 5 top tips on how to get it just right.

Choose made-to-measure products
Use made-to-measure blinds to provide a neat and tidy look. For an extra touch of luxury, select elegant Romans and set the blinds in separate segments of your bay window at different heights to create interest.

View House Beautiful collection
Ask the experts
Ask your local advisor about the best option to suit your window. A custom made curved head rail can be made to fit Vertical blinds and curtains to bay, bow and some corner windows. For angled bay windows, a blind can be fitted to each section of the window to create a similar effect.

View Vertical blinds
Let lots of lovely light in
Bay windows increase the flow of natural light into your home and give you views of the outside that you wouldn’t get with an ordinary window. To emphasise this, pick out lightweight Rollers or sheer Pleated blinds, which create a lovely ambience by allowing sunlight to gently filter into your room.

View Roller blinds
Cosy up with fully-lined fabrics
As bay windows use more glass than a normal window, there is a small chance of further heat escaping from them. If you’re worried about getting chilly, fully-lined curtains and Roman blinds or Pleated blinds in performance fabrics are ideal, as they help to insulate your home by keeping as much heat as possible in the room.

View Jewel edit
Select shutters for a striking effect

Our Shutters range is perfect for homes with uniquely shaped windows, as they are tailor made to fit the space available. Choose larger louvres to allow more light into your room, or smaller ones if your bay window faces a busy street.

Tier-on-Tier shutters are a versatile option as the top and bottom halves of the shutters open independently of each other, so you can throw open the top set to let some sunlight in while keeping the bottom set closed for a little more privacy.

View shutters

Bay window terminology

Take a look at our handy guide to find out what type of bay window you have:

Angled / Canted: Made up of a flat front and angled sides

Bow: Made up of curved windows

Multifaceted: Made up of seven panes of glass, rather than the usual three

Triangular: Made up of two windows set at 120 degrees

Oriel: Supported by a corbel or bracket

We'll help your find the right solution for your bay

Beautiful bay windows allow you to enjoy panoramic views and flood your home with natural light. But when it comes to choosing the best way to dress them, there is a lot to consider, from controlling light and privacy, to getting the right blind type for a trickier shape.

To get started, you'll need to know the type of bay window you have. Use our handy guide below, then read on to discover how you can make the most of this stunning feature in your home.

half open white cafe shutters on a bay window in a dining room

What type of bay window do I have?

Bow window: an arc-shape window structure with at least four windows, also known as a curved bay window

Box window: generally shaped like a rectangular box with a flat front and sides, also known as a square bay window

Angled bay or canted windows a bow window with angled side windows instead of flat

Multifaceted window: made up of seven panes of glass, rather than the usual three

Oriel window: a large bay window projecting from a wall and supported by a corbel or bracket

Daybreak white day and night blinds in living room bay window

Watch the video

From box bays to bows, each shape is unique so it’s important to choose a window dressing that will fit perfectly, suit your home and your style. Here we show you how to make the most of this incredible period feature in your home with our made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters.

More ideas for beautiful bay windows Here are our top product picks to make the most of your bay

a neutral blue dining room with white and muted yellow, floral, bay window blinds and striking yellow furniture

Flexible Roller blinds

Roller blinds are a popular choice for large bay windows, simply rolling up out of the way to reveal the design of the window or the view outside.

The beauty of fitting individual blinds to each window pane is that it gives you flexible control over light. You can position your blinds at different heights in the bay to control the sun's glare throughout the day.

If privacy is important to you, a sheer Roller blind is a modern and stylish solution. They let a lot of natural light into your home, while providing daytime privacy. Layer with lined curtains for a cosy feel at night.

Roller blinds can be made with blackout fabrics so they're great for bedrooms and nurseries.
Mark, Hillarys local advisor

bailey taffy curtains paired with delizia blush roman blinds in cosy bedroom

Statement-making curtains

Curtains are an excellent option for dressing bay windows - they can add elegance and warmth to the space while helping to control levels of natural light and privacy in your room.

We offer a range of stylish curtain poles and tracks specially designed for bay windows, and all our fabrics are available with blackout and thermal linings to help block out sunlight and reduce draughts.

If your bay window doesn’t have a window sill, we recommend full-length made-to-measure curtains. Top interior designers often fit curtains that are slightly too long, as this gives a full and luxurious effect when the curtains puddle on the floor.

If you've got a radiator under your window, you might choose to layer curtains and a blind. When the blind is lowered you won't block the heat, while the curtains will frame the whole look beautifully.

green custom colour full height shutters in living room with cream sofas

Shutter ideas

Ideal for controlling both light and privacy levels, shutters are an excellent solution for dressing bay windows. And with plenty of different styles and custom colour options available you can find the exact shade to match your room, for a result that's tailored to your home and interior style. In this video, Architect and TV presenter George Clarke talks through his favourite ways to dress a bay window with shutters from our range.

See our shutters

Mirage rich oak faux wood venetian blinds in living room bay window

Hardworking Wooden blinds

For the ultimate in privacy and light control Wooden blinds look similar to shutters but are more budget-friendly.

Available in a range of finishes and textures, they can add a lovely look to your bay window and are a really practical choice for everyday living.

Our local advisors are trained to recommend the best products, as well as measure up and fit for you so you can be sure you’ll get a really neat, professional finish.

Serenity seaglass voile curtains in 3-sided sash bay window with light pink sofa and pastel accessories

2. Ask the experts

At your in-home appointment your local expert advisor will come with lots of bay window blinds and curtains ideas and the best option to suit your window. For example, a custom-made curved headrail can be made to fit Vertical blinds and curtains to bay, bow and some corner windows. For angled bay windows, a blind can be fitted to each section of the window to create a similar effect.

See how our service works

Cosy Roman blinds

As bay windows use more glass than a standard window, there is a chance that more heat will escape from them.

Roman blinds with a blackout lining offer a stylish and practical solution for bay windows. Here's how they help:

Enhanced insulation: The blackout lining acts as a barrier, trapping heat inside your room and preventing it from escaping through the glass creating a more comfortable and consistent temperature
Reduced drafts: Bay windows can create drafts as cold air travels down the glass. The thick fabric of Roman blinds combined with the lining helps to block these drafts, keeping you cosy

light pink vertical blinds in a dining room window

Versatile Vertical blinds

If you have a curved bay, a Vertical blind will give a lovely smooth finish that sits neatly within your window thanks to a flexible track which follows the curve of the bay.

Verticals fit separately to each pane of glass letting you operate each blind independently by tilting the louvres to effectively manage light and privacy in your room throughout the day.

With this level of control, you can create the perfect ambience throughout the day, making your curved bay window a truly functional and stylish feature.

And, as always, your advisor will take care of the measuring and fitting so you can be sure of a job well done and a smooth and polished finish.

Ready to book?

Request an appointment

Questions? Call our UK based call centre

0800 916 6524