Whether you’ve had a bay window installed or plan to in the future, you’ll want to consider a wide array of bay window ideas. Let’s dive in!

Roman Blinds

There are many blinds that work well with bay windows but among the most stylish for covering your window is the option of roman blinds. It’s best to measure them so that they hang a little above the window’s frame. This prevents gaps appearing at the edge. Roman blinds with a large-scale pattern can look great when placed along a bay window. You may also find roman blinds with a watercolour pattern in particular appealing. “It’s worth getting a few samples before going ahead and you may want to choose different shades in line with different parts of the room,” comments Ruban Selvanayagam of homebuyers / fast conveyancing experts Property Solvers.

Patterned Roller Blinds

Another option you’ll want to look into is patterned roller blinds, particularly if in the form of a sheer fabric. They diffuse sunlight to a significant degree and offer plenty of privacy. When installed correctly, patterned roller blinds can make the room feel more spacious. 

Well-placed Sofa

You may also want to consider adding a sofa beneath your bay window panels. We’ve come across an example in our research where three bay windows were installed on a wall with the outer two facing one another at an angle. In a scenario like this, placing a sofa beneath bay windows can allow for a total front to back view. It can create for a wonderful seating position, especially if you’re looking for somewhere relaxing to read or just unwind in the evening.

Use of Wall Panelling

Another consideration worth looking into is wall panelling. Having wall panelling surrounding a bay window can add to the visual appeal of the space, by working alongside the bay window to tap into an older aesthetic while touching on a flare of modernity too. Of course, the exact look achieved will depend on a range of factors including the style and colours you opt for.

Let Plenty of Light In

If you’d like to let in a ton of light while ensuring the shades used fit seamlessly in with the surrounding environment, we recommend opting for roman shades that can be pulled up and down that are in the same colour as the room’s paint. This will help them fit in with ease while you can let in plenty of light once the shades are pulled up.

Long Curtains

Another design idea worth exploring is the use of floor to ceiling curtains, particularly those that are fully lined. This can add an aura of sophistication with their dramatic and alluring visuals. 

With full thermal linings, long curtains can help keep the heat in better since bay windows do not offer the best thermal efficiency. While long curtains (and especially those with thermal linings) can be expensive, they may prove more than worthwhile. However, this will depend primarily on your budget and preferences.

Use of Frosted Film

Another bay window idea worth exploring is frosted film. If you’re unsure what exactly to dress your bay window(s) with but simply want to add privacy, consider having frosted film placed along them. This can still allow a ton of light in while also acting as a contemporary aesthetic.

Layered Shutters

Using layered shutters (a.k.a. Tier-on-tier shutters) can provide structure to the front of your bay windows. Layered shutters are versatile with a wide range of options to choose from in design, style, and colour. They also provide plenty of control over how you let light in and privacy. After all, you could use the top half of the shutters to let sunlight in while the bottom set remain closed, so you obtain a certain degree of privacy.

Add House Plants

Placing plants near a bay window can create a fantastic visuals and a natural yet opulent feel. Since bay windows can allow plenty of natural light in, they can act as the perfect ‘greenhouse’ for house plants.

You may wish to surround your bay window with large pots. In the case of smaller plants, if you don’t have any built-in shelving around this area, you could instead place a console table near your bay window to place small plants. 

Relaxation Space

Where several bay windows are installed, placing upholstered chairs and a side table next to them can create a great space to relax or/and have conversations with friends and family. Alternatively, you may want to use this space for reading (i.e. a reading nook). Ideally, you should also make use of ambient lighting for this space which you might achieve with a floor lamp.

Installing a Bay Window

On average, the cost of a bay window is £2,000, however, the total installation cost (which includes the price of labour) can often range from £2,500 to £3,000. 

It’s worth noting that the price of hiring a window installer can differ depending on where you live. For instance, window installers in the southeast of England tend to charge more than the national average, with the opposite being true in regions like northern England and Scotland.

Hiring a Professional

If you want to have a bay window decorated, it’s best to hire professional window installation contractors and decorators. After all, there are various practical considerations to take on board, as well as safety concerns.

When looking for the right person or company for the job, we recommend obtaining a quote from three contractors/companies before making a decision. That way, you can compare their pricing, experience, and any online reviews or ratings they have before making a decision based on who offers the best value for money to you.