Curtains for Bay Window Options

Many homeowners are overjoyed to walk through their new home and discover a lovely bay window.  They are a beautiful addition to any home and one that is highly prized.  Usually however this excitement is overshadows by despair as the homeowner begins thinking of curtain ideas for bay windows and finds that it will likely be a challenge.  Treating a bay window can be difficult if you don’t know how to best accent the area or if the idea you initially had doesn’t seem to be working very well.  But there is no reason to fear, bay windows can be just as beautifully treated as any other window in your home, they just need a little special consideration.

Valances for Bay Windows

One thing that should be taken into consideration when treating your bay window is whether or not you wish to make that area a living space.  If there is a built in window seat then this decision is easily made since it is already a useable living space.  If this is your plan for your window then you should consider valances for bay windows.   Valances are a very simple curtain idea that allows you to put most of the decorating focus on the top portion of the window, leaving room for anyone seated on the window seat.

Choosing a valance that coordinates with the décor of the rest of the room is important to tie this area into the rest of the living space.  The one drawback of valances for bay windows is that they do not offer a lot of privacy since they span only the top of the window.  However, you can use these in conjunction with blinds, shades, or sheer curtains to keep the open feel but provide yourself with a little more privacy.

Blinds for Bay Windows

Using blinds for bay windows is an idea that many seem to shudder at, since they usually tend to think merely of mini-blinds.  Those are not the only kinds of blinds that you can use for a bay window though they certain work just as well as other kinds.  If your bay window does not call a lot of public attention, then mini-blinds could be the easiest and most affordable method for you.  However, you can also find beautiful shutters, Roman shades, or roll up blinds that are more elegant.  If you decide to go with blinds that have a fabric or pattern, like roll up shades, then you should carefully consider the room’s décor to make sure that it will look as elegant as you want.  Shutters are a nice addition to bay windows since they can be moved if you wish to open up the space to more light then put back in places when you want to preserve your privacy.

A lot of home owners that have bay windows in their dining area like to install country curtains for bay windows.  This simply refers to a curtain that is typically made of a heavier material and has a pattern that is reminiscent of the country, like plaids or quilted patterns.  These are a very popular decorating scheme for family homes these days, so be sure to look for these kinds of curtain patterns to see if they match your style.

Curtain rods for Bay Windows

Purchasing curtain rods for bay windows can be quite a challenge by itself.  First, you need to determine if you want to have three different sections of curtain, one for each section of window, or one continuous curtain rod.  The choice is entirely up to your style and what you wish your bay window to look like.  Having one curtain rod can be more expensive since the bendable rods are more complicated than individual, straight curtain rods.  Bendable rods can also be difficult to manage and install, so you may wish to call a professional for their help.  Having three individual curtain rods is much easier to install yourself, since they are straight and applied to one part of the bay window.  You need to make sure that you have accurate measurements before you buy curtain rods, or they may be too short or too long to be used.  Measure carefully and know what kinds of curtains you are wishing to install before you go shopping for curtains for bay window.