Emphasize Your Bay Windows With These Charming Design Ideas
Bay windows are among a home's most sought-after architectural features, much like original built-in bookcases and hardwood floors, and it's easy to see why. Their domed, faceted structure creates a timeless, cozy nook that you can style in various ways. However, when it comes to executing bay window treatment ideas on your own, maintaining their charm while adding a personal touch can be a challenge. There are numerous options to choose from, such as Roman shades and sheer curtains, and the windows' shape and size can make the process especially tricky. While you could leave them bare, that might not always be practical if you have direct sunlight pouring in or a neighbor's windows situated close by.
To help you imagine the possibilities, we've curated a list of designer bay window treatment ideas that will seamlessly fit into your space. Below, you will find 15 beautiful bay window treatment ideas to inspire you to make the most of this uniquely stunning focal point in your home.
More inspiration for your windows:
What Are Transom Windows? Here's What to Know About This Architectural Feature
20 Window Treatments for Bathrooms That Give You Privacy and Style
Choose transparent Roman Shades
If privacy isn't entirely necessary, transparent Roman shades are a beautiful way to diffuse the sunlight through your windows. Designer Alexandra Loew kept the vibe light and airy in this turret-turned-breakfast-nook with these neutral-colored, bay window treatments. The rounded corner also has a whimsical feel that we simply adore.
Accessorize with Tassels
In the same house as above, Alexandra Loew played up the storybook style. In this seating area, beautiful Fox Linton silk wool curtains from Kneedler Fauchère frame the bay windows. The added tassels bring an elegant, substantial feel to the space without feeling overbearing.
Match Your Wallpaper
For a cohesive look in your dining room or any other part of the house, match your bay window treatments to your wallcoverings. In this Kansas City home, the curved bay windows are original to the house. To complement them, designer Annie Anderson chose light green fabric from Schumacher for the curtains and the Gracie print “Linda’s Garden” for the wallcoverings. This combination almost makes it feel like you're dining alfresco.
Pick a Large Pattern
Follow in designer Amy Berry's footsteps and choose a large patterned curtain to cover those huge bay windows. In a wide open space, like this bedroom, you don't want to include a lot of small prints because it'll look off-balance. “Pattern can be intimidating to people, but look at what it does,” Berry says. “This room has no art, yet it looks full—because of the pattern.”
Emphasize Your Color Palette
In the WFH suite from the House Beautiful Whole Home 2022, designer Ariene Bethea from Dressing Room Interiors Studio brought the existing color palette from the wet bar area into this conference room space via the drapery in front of the bay window. She explains that the curtains, which were made using fabric by S. Harris, also allowed for more pattern in the room.
Double Up on Privacy
For a room meant to evoke total calm, such as a nursery, consider adding shutters and curtains to your bay window treatments. Julie Laux of J. Jordan Homes accentuated the gorgeous windows and complemented the neutral design of the room with Heritance Shutters from Hunter Douglas in a natural wood finish and pristine white curtains. “I picked the shutters to coordinate with the crib and the dresser,” she explains.
Add Interesting Architectural Details
To enhance a simple bay window treatment, like this one in designer Janie Molster's home, opt for interesting molding around the windows for extra decoration. Not only does the contrasting color help the alcove stand out, but it also allows the homeowner to layer multiple textures and hues in one space.
Go With a High-Gloss Paint
To provide the illusion of more natural light in a space, coat the area around your bay windows in reflective high-gloss paint. In the same home as above, Janie Molster emphasized this corner of the den with a bold paint color, as well as the double stripe patterns on both the antique couch and semi-sheer curtains.
Hang Artwork
While these light gray, semi-transparent Roman shades emphasize the accent colors of green, black, and yellow in this kitchen window, it's the eye-catching artwork that steals the show. Designer Jeff Andrews added this vintage ceramic plaque to the middle of this bay window treatment, tying together other face motifs from the rest of the room and coordinating with the dark hues from the countertops.
Mix Old World and New
The duo at Les Ensembliers admits that their desire to mix and match vintage, custom, and designer isn't “everyone’s cup of tea,” however, their bold choice in heavily patterned curtains for one of their multiple bay window treatments beautifully ties this room together. They used their own collaboration with Brunschwig & Fils for the moody curtains, and their color choice helped bring some of the darkness of the furniture to the stark white walls.
Match the Furnishings
The team at Maestri Studio wanted this music room to feel like it could've been found in a boutique hotel, and they accomplished this task in part by matching the elegant Roman shades to the seat covering on the built-in bench.
Emphasize the View
For bay windows that look out to a stunning view, choose a treatment option that frames the vista without obscuring anything. Designer Marie Flanigan chose semi-sheer curtains for the large glass nook in this living room, allowing for some privacy without taking away from the scenery outside.
Pick a Subtle Print
This bedroom designed by Sherrell Neal was made for pure relaxation—as she says, “I really just wanted this space to bring our blood pressure down.” To achieve this, she chose a neutral palette and relaxed prints that could easily blend in with the surrounding solids. The almost-hidden pattern on the curtains for this oversize bay window is very subtle, but it adds some much-needed dimension to the space.
Work Around Warm Tones
The warm jewel tones in this drawing room bring so much desired drama to the space, allowing the team at Studio Plow “to be playful with color, but not wild,” founder Brit Epperson says. The darker curtains add weight to the space while the high curtain rods emphasize the ceiling height.
Choose Disappearing Shades
As Lindsay Mens, a partner with the firm TOM Design Studio in Toronto, puts it: The goal of this breakfast room was to complement the view of the Sonoran Desert outside, not distract from it. While your view may be very different, you can still choose similar shades that roll up and seemingly disappear into the ceiling. They're basically invisible when you want them to be, but they provide a lot of privacy when down.
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