Curtains for a bay window (45 photos): concepts, ideas and examples

Recommendations for choosing curtains

A few recommendations to consider when choosing curtains:

First of all, you need to pay attention to the general style of the room and its purpose.
You should also consider the parameters of bay windows. It is important that the entire composition looks harmonious.
In projections with two or three windows, it is better to decorate each plane with separate curtains.
For a round bay window, solid panels on a flexible cornice are perfect.

What types of curtains are best to use for bay windows?

The following types of curtains are used to decorate bay windows:

Roman. Quite a universal option. The canvases are fixed in the required position and create neat folds.
Tulle. Curtains give this window projection a special lightness and allow you to further expand the space.
Curtains. They will be a win-win solution for any bay window and will undoubtedly make it the main accent of the entire room.
Rolled. Sun blinds are a very convenient and functional design option; they significantly save space in the room and do not overload it.
Blinds. Horizontal, vertical slats or pleated blinds will be the most economical bay window design. Thanks to the huge variety of materials and colors, they can be matched to any interior.
French. They are perfect for original shaped windows. French curtains form graceful, picturesque folds and attract attention.
Austrian. They create heavier draperies that also fit elegantly and beautifully into this window design.
Kiseya. It looks light and impressive and does not weigh down the bay window.

The photo shows a bay window decorated with light curtains of a light shade.

Curtains for a bay window for the hall: decoration options

Decorating the hall is an important task. This is the place where they spend most of their time, use it as a space for intellectual relaxation, gather family members, and receive guests. Based on what exactly they want to focus on, the choice of curtains for the bay window depends.

One of the criteria for choosing curtains for a bay window is the ability to easily wash the curtains

Today, a very popular and stylish solution is to separate the bay window area in the hall in order to create an additional cozy space.

Choosing curtains for a bay window in a hall; the size of the hall is important. The design depends on the overall design of the room and the mood that they want to give to the living room.

Options for decorating a bay window in the hall:

Austrian curtains. They give the room a special charm and luxury. Such curtains are suitable for a large room and windows that are subsequently not to be opened.
French curtains. Create the effect of lightness and originality.
Classic curtains. Suitable for a large living room with a minimal set of furniture. They add elegance to the overall atmosphere and speak of the delicate taste of the owners.
White transparent curtains. It will give the room lightness and expand the space if the room is overloaded with furniture.

Light-colored curtains can visually enlarge the space

It is better to select curtains and curtains for a bay window in a hall or a hall with the help of a designer who will take into account all your wishes, create a unique sketch and decorate the window in a style harmonious with the overall atmosphere.

Curtain sizes

The length depends not only on personal preferences and the design of the room, but also on the purpose of the room.

Short (to the window sill)

Shortened curtains allow you to functionally use the window sill, place various furniture near the window opening and simply save space in a small room.

The photo shows a kitchen in light colors and short curtains on the bay window.

Long

Such canvases look more presentable and give the interior a special chic.

The photo shows the living room and bay windows, decorated with long dark curtains with tulle.

Types of bay windows

There are main types of bay windows:

Classical. Quite often found in modern architecture. A classic bay window implies the presence of at least three sides, and it can also have the shape of a semicircle. To decorate this window opening, almost all types of curtains are used.
Half-bay window. Better known as a corner bay window. Curtains allow you to correct its slightly irregular shape and correctly emphasize such an exotic architectural idea in the interior.

How to decorate a room with curtains on bay windows (video)

A bay window requires special attention and design. Correct window design will give the room an elegant look, visually expand or reduce the room, hide flaws and emphasize the advantages of the interior. There are many design options for bay windows using a variety of fabrics and materials. It must be remembered that the difficulties in designing a bay window are due to the fact that it has a different geometric shape, which sometimes requires unique design solutions. However, turning to professional designers will make the bay window the most striking element of the decor.

Bay window shapes

Basic geometric shapes.

Triangular (for 2 windows)

The bay window is triangular in shape and can be decorated with any configuration of curtains made from various fabrics. Most often, curtain rods are installed along the sides of the triangle.

The photo shows the interior of the bedroom and the curtains on the triangular bay window.

Rectangular or trapezoidal (for 3 windows)

For decoration, classic curtains with a lambrequin, Roman, French, Austrian curtains or various sun protection options are suitable. Fabric models allow you to smooth out the pronounced corners of the bay window. A rectangular bay window shape can be formed by redevelopment and combination with a loggia or balcony.

Round

Known as the Venetian bay window, thanks to its glazing with large or panoramic windows, it is an elegant design object.

The photo shows a bedroom with a round bay window, decorated with a combination of curtains and curtains.

Polygonal (4 windows or more)

Due to the unusual protrusion, a lot of light and space is organized in the room. For such a wide bay window, curtains for each window sash are suitable.

The photo shows Roman blinds on each window of a polygonal bay window.

Types of cornices

The choice of fastening element for curtains is carried out taking into account the installation conditions (on the ceiling, wall), and the curtain model. The model range is represented by products of various configurations, made of plastic, metal, wood.

Flexible ceiling cornices are made from a profile system that bends at the installation site.

It is possible to make designs of any shape. This type combines optimal cost and functionality, but is only suitable for light fabrics. A separate element is installed for each line of curtains.

Plastic ceiling cornices are mounted using bay window adapters, which ensures an arrangement parallel to each wall. Installation requires precise angle measurements. The use of systems of this type ensures free movement of curtains.
Profile cornices require precise measurements and are made individually. The systems are installed on the ceiling or wall using brackets. Designs of this type are designed for various weight loads.

Ceiling cornices with baguette have a decorative purpose. The choice of design is made taking into account the color of the furniture, flooring, and interior decoration of the room. Round models are made from forged pipes equipped with rings or wood.

Designs of this type are equipped with corner adapters that provide the bending angle. Brackets are used for installation. Moving curtains on such a cornice is possible within the window opening.

Roman and French curtains are mounted on curtain rods. A separate element is installed for each canvas. Depending on the configuration of the bay window, a cornice is made for a small window in the shape of a protrusion in the wall.

Ideas in the interior of rooms

This type of bay window gives a lot of different ideas for creating a unique interior.

Living room or hall

Classic curtains will look especially elegant and will highlight the entire design. They will complement the interior and will not weigh it down. For living rooms with a lot of furniture, shortened versions of curtains mounted on the ceiling are perfect.

The photo shows a living room in a modern classic style and curtains on the bay windows.

Kitchen and dining room

Kitchens in houses of the P44T series are characterized by triangular, trapezoidal or corner projections. If there is a work area near the windows, then it is better to choose short models of curtains reaching the window sill. For a bay window area with a dining table, you can use long curtains or curtains.

Bedroom

Most often, night curtains made of thick materials or curtains are used. They fit especially well into the interior, smooth out the shape of bay windows and harmonize the overall appearance of the room.

Children's

For decorating a nursery, both models that do not allow light to pass through, such as blinds or roller blinds, or a traditional combination of curtains with tulle, veil or organza are suitable.

The photo shows a children's room and a half-bay window, decorated with light curtains in combination with tulle.

Wooden house

Light, weightless flowing curtains on a bay window ledge in a wooden house will fit perfectly into the overall decor and combine all the windows into one composition.

Bay windows in houses of the P44-T series

P44-T is a popular series of standard panel houses, which have been produced since 1997 and are still in production, although now they are in less demand among developers. People call such houses “brick panels” because their facades are stylized as brickwork.

This series has one difference that is noticeable to the naked eye - the presence of bay windows or sloping loggias in the layout of the apartments.

Moreover, triple spacious bay windows are provided in two- and three-room apartments, the so-called “vest” (due to the location of the rooms on both sides of the house). In one-room apartments you can find two-window bay windows.

As a rule, the bay window is located in the kitchen, creating a more functional room. This could be a kitchen-living room or a kitchen with a small winter garden.

Design options in various styles

The decor of bay windows should also match the style of the room.

Provence. Linen curtains with floral motifs or decorated with embroidery and various laces look especially elegant. They transmit light perfectly and do not weigh down the window ledge.
Classic. Thick curtains with massive folds in combination with tulle, decorated with lambrequins, tassels, tiebacks or other decorative elements, can change the atmosphere in the room and make it more solemn.
Modern. For bay windows in a modern style, laconic and practical plain curtains in pastel colors, Roman shades or blinds are suitable. They create maximum free space and perfectly complement the overall look of the room.

The photo shows Roman blinds on the bay windows in the living room in a modern style.

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A bay window is an original architectural solution, a rounded protrusion at the end of a room or the entire wall, which some residents mistakenly consider problematic for decoration. Sometimes such a plan is made at the outer part of the wall of the living room, replacing the balcony, but the bay window can also have balcony doors. This is one of the methods of increasing the usable area of an apartment or house, and due to several windows the room has additional natural light. However, many windows on one wall require proper design of the bay window. Tulle, curtains, awnings or blinds – what should you choose?

Features and advantages of bay windows

The bay window is not at all a new word in architecture; houses with “window galleries” protruding outward have been used since time immemorial. In some cities there are still houses built by the Germans more than 70 years ago that have bay windows for living rooms. And this option for residential buildings periodically comes into fashion, especially when constructing a loggia adjacent to the room. When architects and designers want to do something original, they turn to bay window designs.

The convex geometry of the wall with several windows looks very noble, and with the appropriate decoration of the windows with original curtains, the hall or living room looks almost like a palace boudoir. The bay window has several shape options:

polyhedron;
triangle;
semicircular;
trapezoidal;
rectangular.

And the design of a bay window is not an easy creative task. If you approach the design of such windows with imagination, then a spectacular design will favorably emphasize the overall beauty of any room:

living room;
dining room or kitchen;
winter garden;
home cinema;
fireplace room;
billiard room;
bedrooms;
teenager's room or children's room.

A distinctive feature of a bay window design is a row of windows, at least 3, and it is important to design them harmoniously in order to:

protect the room from excess direct sunlight on the south side of the house in summer;
keep warm in winter;
allow sufficient light to enter the room.

The only drawback is that bay windows will take up a lot of fabric, which is an additional expense. But with a creative approach, you can decorate the windows in an original way without spending too much on fabric. For example, Roman rolled or flat Japanese screen canvases are used for high-tech, minimalism or Japanese style.

The dining room does not need heavy curtains at all. And in a romantic bedroom there is a lot of fabric with draperies, ruffles, frills, tiebacks with satin ribbons, or braid with fringe or tassels will only decorate the decor.

Bay window design ideas

It is important to decide what the curtains should be in a given room, after which you can:

sew them yourself;
made to order in a studio or privately, using the advice of professionals;
Offer to make a craftsman according to your chosen sketch for bay windows.

Attention: The choice of design style for bay windows should be based on a harmonious combination with the overall design of the room and its functionality. Curtains can favorably emphasize the overall design or introduce disharmony and level it out!

A successful idea is often suggested by the curtain fabric or tulle itself. But on the other hand, nothing inspires as much as the best designs. Excellent design options for curtains for bay windows can be created using special round or ceiling cornices, from which light fabrics flow down very beautifully. Many original ideas are proposed for ordinary windows in rooms with a rectangular perimeter.

And the bay windows themselves can be quite original:

arched;
square;
inclined (attic);
oval or round;
triangular or trapezoidal;
solid bay windows, forming a convex shape of part of the wall only with the help of a window structure.

Non-standard windows are made to order, so they cost an order of magnitude more. At the same time, you can vary the glass of the bay window, for example, on the 1st low floor the bay window can be glazed with frosted, stained glass, mirrored or corrugated glass. This will eliminate the obsessive feeling of “looking into the windows” from the street and the need to use curtains. In this case, you can limit yourself to hanging beautiful transparent tulle on the windows.

The curtains themselves for bay windows also differ in shape, sewing method and style:

Japanese shielded;
French or “marquise” with draperies;
Roman short;
Austrian (with pick-up);
multi-layered English;
with lambrequins;
with grabs, etc.

It is impossible not to mention the functionality of a room with bay windows. For example, multiple draperies are appropriate only in the living room and bedroom, and Japanese flat curtains can be made from washable fabric, which will be very convenient in a kitchen or dining room with a bay window.

On the south side of the house, you need to think about light filters or blinds in the summer. In winter, heavy warm or multi-layer curtains are appropriate on the north side. And for a home cinema, light-proof curtains for bay windows are appropriate, which are appropriate for daytime film shows.

Curtains for a number of bay windows can be:

identical on all windows;
different, hung symmetrically;
alternating through one.

For example, a lambrequin can decorate only the central window, and heavy curtains can only decorate the side windows, but they all have the same tulle. On a semicircular bay window they often use one continuous transparent tulle in a single sheet, fixed to the ceiling cornice. Iridescent thread curtains also look very beautiful on the bay window - a continuous cascade that oscillates at the slightest movement of air currents.

Bay window cornice

The best way to choose a type of curtain is to use ready-made ideas, which are visible in ready-made examples. Don't forget to buy a special cornice for your bay window. However, there is an opportunity to show your own imagination and realize the most daring undertakings.

Competent design of any window begins with the right choice of cornice. It must meet certain requirements:

the shape corresponds to the line of the wall with bay windows along the ceiling;
have a reliable fastening capable of holding a large mass of curtain fabric in 2-3 layers;
have a reliable design that will not deform under heavy weight;
a single curtain should move freely in both directions along the baguette line for a sufficient distance, so hooks and tucks that cling to each other are inappropriate;
the fixing tips at the edges must be securely fastened;
compliance with the interior style.

Tip: Ceiling cornices look the most advantageous, but they are inconvenient to attach, so it is better to entrust it to a specialist with special tools to fix it securely!

Special bay window cornices come in different shapes and lengths, but they can be adjusted.

1. Round baguette is very convenient for curtains with grommets.

2. Closed decorative baguette is more suitable for multi-layer curtains with lambrequins.

3. A string cornice is not suitable for a bay window structure because it cannot be bent.

4. Plastic tubular curtain rods gradually bend in the center under the heavy weight of the curtain fabric, although they can be bent using special equipment to order.

5. It is easiest to give the required curvature to a metal tubular cornice.

Tip: To correctly determine the curvature of a bent cornice, it is enough to make a drawing that indicates the distance to the extreme points of the cornice and from the center of this line measure the distance to the middle of the bay window. This is all drawn with a compass - this is how the drawing of your bent cornice should be.

Attention: For a round bay window, you usually buy 2-strip cornices - for tulle and curtains. Tulle is sewn in one sheet for all windows, and it is beautiful, but not convenient for frequent opening of bay windows. Therefore, only the outer windows with vents are used for ventilation. Decorative curtains are sewn for each window separately and beautifully decorated with tiebacks.

The material and color of the cornices must match the overall design of the room and windows. It is better to take the same cornice for white plastic windows, and for wooden ones - according to the texture of the wood. If the cornice will not be visible, then it is better to buy a reliable and cheap tubular one made of metal. This cornice also fits perfectly into apartments decorated in a modern style - with a large number of chrome parts, lamps and fittings.

Tip: To make it more decorative, consider illuminating the bay window cornice in advance. The white LED strip along the ceiling cornice looks very noble, highlighting the flowing curtains and the pattern of the ceiling tiles from above. This should not be done on an uneven ceiling, otherwise the slightest flaws will be obvious!

Blinds for bay window

Blinds are a hit in modern interiors, although designers have proposed them for residential premises for a long time. They are ideal for bay windows, especially if there is an excess of sunlight from windows on the south side of the house.

Remember that blinds are:

vertical;
horizontal.

Each type requires special cornices, especially for bay windows. And if the bay window is trapezoidal with 4 windows, then 3 plastic cornices interlocking at the edges are sufficient. A curved plastic cornice of round shape, like for curtains, will have to be ordered individually.

As a rule, only vertical blinds are used to decorate bay windows. You can choose thick decorative fabric ribbons or plastic ones. Make sure that the long cornice has a special reinforcing element that supports the given shape.

Blinds are convenient because you can hang them on a solid cornice and control them with one movement of your hand. But you can decorate each window separately, or place blinds only on the central window, as a light filter, and remove them for the winter if not necessary.

If you wish, you can look for special bay window blinds with a ready-made cornice of the curvature you need. Their reliable design will last for many years, without causing additional hassle in the care and maintenance of bay windows.

Some ideas for making curtains for bay windows with your own hands

If the shape of the bay window and the size of the window openings do not raise concerns that you will not be able to handle their design yourself, then we suggest that you show your creative initiative and make curtains with your own hands.

So, if there is already a cornice that matches the interior design and window material, then there is little to do:

choose the type of curtains that best matches the overall style concept;
calculate the total volume of fabric with allowance for drapery and seam allowances;
buy accessories for fastening (special eyelets, tapes, Velcro, etc.), which can be recommended in a fabric or craft store;
measure and cut the fabric, finish the edges with a hidden seam, sew in fringe or braid, if required by the design;
the final stage is to iron the fabric and steam at the seams so that it does not pull;
hang tulle and curtains and decorate with tiebacks or other decorative decorations.

Tip: To decorate bay windows in a nursery, you should not use long, heavy curtains. Multilayer heavy curtains are used only for the living room, bedroom and office in the English style. It is better to hang blinds in the greenhouse and on the balcony, and in the kitchen it is better to sew light curtains with decorative details.

Decorative features of some curtain designs

1 Lambrequin is an original decorative decoration that will ennoble bay windows, even if they are curtained very modestly.

2. A solid curtain on a common curtain rod looks very elegant, especially when made from transparent light fabrics with a sheen.

3. French marquise curtains are an aristocratic decoration for your bay windows with lots of sagging draperies, but they look out of place and theatrical if they don’t fit the overall style. They are beautiful, but not practical, they are difficult to wash and iron, so it is better to use them where windows do not open or where there is a minimum of dust - on the highest floors.

4. Heavy curtains made of velvet or thick curtain fabric are best placed on separate curtain rods so as not to burden the structure. It will be easier to open them, remove them, wash and iron them.

5. Light thread curtains are a modern decoration for a bay window that looks very original, especially in combination with good lighting and little air movement. It’s better to buy ready-made ones, although making them yourself using a creative approach is also good. Only they should not resemble Christmas tree rain or a cut curtain made of oilcloth in the bathroom.

6. Austrian curtains - short roller blinds, with a frill along the bottom edge, cute and practical, fit perfectly into a classic interior, including the kitchen and dining room, children's room and teenager's room. It is only important to choose the right fabric.

7. Roman blinds are an ideal solution for bay windows for each window separately. They easily fold up, forming elegant folds.

8. Stained glass inserts at the top of the windows go well with sheer tulle or side curtains. Stained glass windows in the upper semicircle of arched windows look simply great; they can be easily combined with different types of curtains or horizontal blinds on each window separately. Instead of expensive stained glass, you can use a similar self-adhesive film.

9. Custom designed decorative curtains will cost a lot more, but they can add a stunning effect to your interior. This involves intricate draperies, asymmetrical details and additional embellishments. Sometimes with their help, against the backdrop of beautiful parquet flooring and elegant furniture in a historical style, it is possible to create a stunning palace interior in a city living room or bedroom!

Bay window curtain design

Various creative ideas allow you to create even more interesting bay window curtain designs.

Combined. Two-color curtains will be a special decoration for such a window projection and will give it exclusivity.
With a semicircular top. They resemble an arch and allow you to add a new sound to the already familiar design of the room.
Asymmetry. Creates a light and playful interior, and brings a little dynamism to it.

Color spectrum

The color palette can create a special atmosphere in the room.

Beige. They bring warmth, regularity and comfort to the room, and create a peaceful atmosphere in it.
Blue. They saturate the space with air and fill it with lightness and purity.
Reds. Red curtains will emphasize the significance of the interior and help achieve a stunning effect in the room.
Pink. Cloudless pink color creates a sophisticated and inviting room design.
Gray. They go well with both cold and warm shades and harmoniously connect them into a single whole.
Green. They evoke pleasant emotions and add brightness and freshness to the room.
Brown. They warm the interior, make it more rich and unusual.

The photo shows a living room and gray Roman blinds on a trapezoidal bay window.

Curtain decor

Interesting curtain decor creates a stylish and fashionable interior.

Lambrequin. Bay windows, decorated with a soft or hard gang lambrequin, look especially elegant and luxurious.
Eyelets. Uniform folds allow the curtain structure to fit harmoniously into the bay window ledge.
With brushes. Curtains decorated with tassels acquire an original appearance, due to which the interior begins to play with new colors.

How to choose curtains for a bay window in the living room: 35 photos