Bay Window Curtains & Drapes: Ideas & Tips

 

Of all the architectural elements that a house may feature on its facade, bay windows are probably the most unique as they are extremely compelling, both on the exterior and in the interior.  Their majestic dimensions, shapely angles and sun-kissed screens are effortless focal points. While dressing this idyllic window bank with curtains is a great way to elevate it further, its sharp bends and non-standard size can prove a challenge. If you find that relatable, this blog is just for you. From the various methods of hanging bay window curtains to the hand-holding tips for their installation, we cover all the topics you might want to dig into when dressing up these stately gems with bay window curtains from The White Window.

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Our Top Five Ideas for Bay Window Curtains

 

Of all the varied window treatments available to date, curtains probably do the most justice to the luxurious disposition of bay windows. Drapery’s sumptuousness, rippled contours, and personalised palette and pattern endow this hallowed nook with an elegance that no other window treatment can offer to the same degree. 

As standalone dressings or as overtreatments, as functional elements that take care of privacy and light control or as decorative accessories that offer visual beauty, curtains can play multiple roles and therefore, be styled in different ways for a bay window. Some arrangements highlight the angular silhouette of the bay, some accentuate its grandeur and others bestow a whimsical quality. Of the umpteen ways of hanging curtains on bay windows, these are our top favourite ones - 

Framing Decorative Panels

 

With this primarily decorative approach, curtain panels are employed to just frame the bay window, not to cover it. So, short drapery poles are installed on the two ends of the bay to hold the curtains in their place. The drapes are usually stitched with exquisite heading styles and fuller pleats, and as they are stationary, their pleats stay crisp and pristine all the time. 

These ‘decorative’ curtains accentuate the grandeur of the bay window as they visually separate the bay windows from the rest of the room by framing the bank. This arrangement is most appropriate for your bay window when:

• Your bay window is located in a non-private room where you wish to maximise the daylight that it beautifully draws in.
• You are looking for a decorative touch that emphasises the bay as the room's focal point, and not necessarily expecting your drapes to fulfil a functional role. 
• You have roman shades or any other type of blinds that play the functional role of providing privacy and light control. But, you want full-height curtains to accentuate the stateliness of the bay.

Full-Coverage Functional Panels

 

If you want to meet both the aesthetic and functional mandate with your bay window curtains, consider fully functional drapery panels that can cover all the bay windows whenever so desired. For this, you can use either angular specialty hardware or install straight drapery rods for each window of the bay.

With angular hardware, you will be able to provide a seamless flow for the curtains so that they can be drawn all the way and stacked at the end, making the entire bay free. Therefore, a pair of curtain panels can be used for the entire bay. Whereas, with straight poles, the curtains will have to be stacked at the angled walls, so you will have to treat each side of the bay separately. Depending on whether your windows are a continuous unit or separated with wall space, and your personal aesthetic preference, each type of hardware will provide a different level of light control.

However, regardless of the type of hardware, fully functional panels are excellent at highlighting the semi-hexagonal shape of the bay besides providing maximum functionality. Whenever you want full coverage, you can draw the curtains over the windows. And at other times, they can be stacked on the sides where they will continue to add elegance by framing the bay. This method is recommended when:

• You require light control and privacy assurance and want your curtains to take full responsibility for the task.
• You want to highlight the angular shape of the bay.

Full-Coverage Stationary Panels

 

This arrangement involves covering the entire bay with a sweeping coverage of curtain panels that are intended to remain closed most of the time. Sheer curtains are popularly installed in this way transforming the bay into a cosy, idyllic spot in the room. You can use angular drapery rods or straight rods for individual sides of the bay. And, get the curtains stitched in heading styles that minimise sliding on poles, keeping the drapes in a fixed position. Rod pocket tops and back tab tops are strong candidates for this set-up.   

Full coverage, stationary sheer panels are apt if -

• You wish to keep your bay windows perpetually covered with sheers for privacy while letting in light softly.
• You want to highlight a statement chandelier or furniture piece with the soft neutral backdrop of plain sheer curtains.

Multiple Panels at Intervals

 

Bestowing more grandeur to an already stately feature and more versatility for light control, multiple panels hung at intervals is a popular practice for bay window curtains. The idea usually is to cover the wall column between the windows. You can use this set-up either in a decorative way by confining the curtains to the walls or use it functionally by letting them cover the windows as well. Accordingly, you may choose between drapery poles that cover the whole window or short poles that cover only the walls. 

If you intend to create an illusion of a bay window bank without any intervals in between, it is advisable to use a continuous drapery rod for the whole bay so that it appears to be one unit. This method is ideal when:

• Your bay window is not a seamless series of windows but consists of distinct windows placed within each wall of the bay. By placing the curtains between the windows such that they slightly overlap the window frame, you can create an optical illusion of a bay window bank that has no wall space between the windows. 
• When you want to highlight the angles of the bay with great emphasis or give a more opulent dressing to make it more grand and plush.

Sweeping Functional Panels on Straight Pole

 

Until now, we have laid down curtain arrangements that trace the shape of the bay. However, we move to a configuration in which we treat the bay like any other window. Here, a straight drapery pole is installed connecting the two ends of the bay. The curtains offer sweeping coverage and completely hide the bay. When the curtains are drawn, there is no way to know whether what is behind them is a door or a window. So, when you open the curtains, there’s a surprise of an enchanting nook and a stately architectural gem. This ‘wrapped-up feat’ is ideal when -

• Your bay window doubles up as a reading nook or workstation where drawing the curtains can offer a separation from the rest of the room and the privacy required for more focused activity.
• You want to avoid the hassle of finding suitable speciality hardware and bearing potentially higher expenses for such customised purchases and instalments. 
• You have another commanding focal point in the room and don’t want the bay window to take away anything from it. So, by not accentuating the shape of the bay with window-hugging curtains, you allow the attention to be shifted to your desired centrepiece.
• You like the idea of a picturesque view being unveiled like an unexpected moment when the curtains are parted.
• You have roman shades or roller blinds fulfilling the functional roles and want to hang curtains on the front to emphasise the height of the room or for double-insulative coverage.

Depending on whether you want your bay window to be a commanding focal point or not, whether you want the curtains to fulfil a functional or decorative role, and what the architectural features of your windows call for, choose a befitting curtain arrangement for your needs and tastes. Once you decide how you want to hang your bay window curtains, it is time to make other design decisions. 

Top Tips for Styling Your Bay Window Curtains

 

Bay windows are architectural gems that change the quality of light coming into the space, offer a unique visual beauty and plenty of potential for stylizing the room. Bay window curtains are assuredly the most winsome dressings to create a sense of luxury along with fulfilling the functional requirements. But the design decisions that follow are varied and sometimes even complicated. So, to make it simpler, we bring you our top recommendations for the key decisions to be made -

Invest in Appropriate Hardware

 

Curtains can be hung on both poles and tracks. Tracks are ideal if you are planning to hang the curtains from the ceiling as they facilitate a neat flush finish that will draw the eye to the seams of the ceiling. However, if you have a show-worthy crown-moulding, poles are ideal. They also offer an additional opportunity to bring in the play of colour contrast, ornate elements, texture and lustre, if so desired. 

Curtain poles/tracks offer three alternatives:

ANGLED CURTAIN POLES

 

These poles feature straight rods connected with curved elbow joints. They are ideal when hanging curtains for full coverage of the bay window and when hanging curtains to cover angled walls between the windows. They offer a seamless gliding of curtains (for select heading styles), amping up the versatility for privacy and light control. A perceivable sign of a bespoke drapery fitting, speciality bay window pole tends to be a bit on the expensive side of the spectrum of hardware alternatives. 

STRAIGHT POLES

 

These are regular, straight curtain poles. If you want to use framing curtains, you can use two small ones. Instead, if you are going to hang the curtains in the front, use a single long pole to connect the two ends of the bay. You can also use straight poles as an alternative to angular poles if you are looking to cut costs. To cover the entire bay, you can use a rod for each wall of the bay. Since this will restrict the movement of the curtains to the wall they dress, order multiple panels for each wall/window. In addition, make sure that the finials are low-profile so that the poles don’t clash at the meeting points. Note that hanging curtains in this way will compromise some visual continuity unless you ensure that the curtains don’t leave any gaps at the corners.

TENSION RODS

 

These rods require no professional help or additional hardware for installation as they stand within the window with the support of the window frame. You can hang curtains within the frame of each window using this method. Or, you can affix it to the front of the bay, connecting the two ends. But, be mindful of the fact that they are not as sturdy as poles that are affixed to the wall with screws in place. Check the load-bearing capacity of the rod before purchasing and choose lighter fabrics to minimise risk.

Decide Length with Due Considerations

 

Bay windows often come with radiators or inbuilt seating below, making you wonder how full-length curtains can complement such a layout. For such situations, using framing curtains is ideal - either for each window or for the entire bay. And, install roman shades, woven wooden blinds or roller blinds over each window for the functional requirements. This multi-layered look offers an opportunity for mixing colours and patterns - a tried-and-true way of creating a visually compelling sight.

Alternatively, you can make your curtains stop just an inch above the radiator/seating. Such short curtains have a casual overtone and are suitable for informal areas such as a breakfast nook in a rustic kitchen or a reading nook in a kid’s room. They are not the best choice for formal spaces as they tend to downplay the vertical scale of the bay, taking away the opportunity to turn it into a grand visual feast. However, they are certainly not lacking in functional efficiency and cosy appeal.

Select an Aesthetically and Functionally Befitting Heading Style

 

The top portion of the curtains is called the header and The White Window offers more than a dozen heading styles for maximum scope of customisation. The header dictates how the curtains look, hang and move on the pole/track. Hence, they affect both the aesthetic appeal and the functional efficiency of the drapery. Here are some tips for discerning the apt heading style -

FORMAL OR CASUAL APPEAL: If your bay window is part of a formal area, look for dressy heading styles like pinch pleats, whose architectural appeal can complement the stateliness of the bay. On the other hand, if it is a casual area, you can opt for more easygoing styles like flat panel tops, grommet tops, rod pocket tops, and so on.

EASY MOVEMENT OR ELEGANT SHIRRING: Prefer heading styles that glide on rings or grommets if you’d like functional curtains that need to be operated daily. If they are stationary panels that do a better job when less smooth on the pole, consider styles that gather tightly on the pole like rod pockets and back tab tops.

In Closing

 

We hope our stylists’ well-rounded advice has given you more inspiration and helped you better tune your ideas for your bay window curtains. Now it is time to get into the act - to browse through our curated collection of drapery online and shop the one that will be the perfect embellishment for your bay. Look to our lush velvets, decadent silks and heavy cottons for a formal bay window. Or take the casual route with our light-filtering sheers, breezy cottons and textured linens. From pristine whites to gorgeous goldens and plush purples, and plain neutrals to simple stripes and ornate damasks, you can find any colour, texture and pattern that can satiate your home’s appetite for colour, glamour and character. So, explore The White Window collection and shop for your bay window curtains today!