Tips for Dressing Up Your Bay Windows

A bay window adds interesting architectural detail and design accent to a home, and creating a beautiful and effective bay window treatment takes some careful thought. Bay window treatments should be subtle so the windows are the focal point of the room without dominating it. It is best to stick with neutral colors in a light tone that won't overwhelm the rest of the room's decor.

For romantic appeal choose sheer, floaty draperies that puddle on the floor. Mounting sheer curtains with a taut wire instead of curtain rods will create a feeling of airiness. Sheer accordion shades mounted inside the window frames will allow privacy without adding a heaviness to this soft and alluring bay window treatment.

Bay windows in the kitchen can be dressed up to create a bistro effect. Café curtains, which are mounted on the lower half of the window and stop at the bottom of the frame, allow sunlight to brighten up your kitchen without sacrificing privacy. The top of the window should be dressed with a narrow valance or upholstered cornice to complete the look. Add a small bistro-style table and chairs and you have created an inviting breakfast nook!

Make your bay window the focal point of a formal room by hanging a swagged valance across all three windows (with a custom-made drapery rod) to join the three windows into one unit. Add jabots (valances that are longer on the outside edge than in the middle) at each end of the swag. Choose straight draperies that brush the floor and matchstick blinds for privacy, and you have created an attractive formal treatment that softens the architectural lines of the bay window. When you choose heavy draperies for bay windows, stick with simple designs so the window treatment doesn't become overbearing.

Roman shades add a contemporary look to bay windows. Roman shades fold up accordion-style from the bottom. You can choose soft shades with overlapping folds when they are lowered, or flat shades for a smooth, clean look, whichever best suites your room decor. Attractive woodwork can be accented by mounting Roman shades inside the window frames, or the shades can be mounted outside the frames for a tailored look that will disguise plain woodwork.

Bay windows are the perfect spots for houseplants, since they let in so much sunlight. Create a mini-greenhouse effect by filling your bay window with houseplants. Place a multi-level plant stand in the window and fill the bottom of the window with houseplants. Mount some lush hanging plants at the top of the window. Airplane plants which send out many shoots or ornamental asparagus with its delicate fronds can fill your bay window with greenery. If your bay window has interesting architectural features you may not even need to consider draperies! Otherwise, hang a valance across the top of the bay windows to dress them up a bit. You may want to add sheer blinds for privacy. Plants add a natural, air-filtering effect inside your home, and passers-by can admire your green thumb!

Consider your bay window treatment options carefully before investing in hardware and draperies. Home-and-garden shows, home decorating websites, retailers of window treatments, and home decorating magazines are all good resources to find ideas for dressing up your bay window and showing off your style!