Living Room Curtain Ideas For Bay Windows [15 Beautiful Options!]

Bay windows are a unique fixture in our homes. They add more space, and they let in lots of natural light. They also have a subtle elegance, making it imperative to dress these windows beautifully. But, how do you do it? What kinds of curtains will emphasize their appeal? We have gathered ideas for you.

Although they are an elegant feature, finding curtains for bay windows can be challenging because of their shape. Here are 15 curtain designs you can try incorporating into these windows:

1. Sleek White Curtains
2. Plain Yet Vibrant Drapery
3. Dress In Layers
4. Roller Shades
5. Dress With Colorful Blinds
6. Layer Blinds With Thick Draperies
7. Install A Wooden Pelmet With Curtains
8. Velvet Curtains
9. Sheer Curtains Beside Roller Shades
10. Patterned Fabric
11. Curtains Hung At Each Window
12. Cafe Curtains
13. Silk Curtains
14. Valence Curtains
15. Neutral Colored

15 Living Room Curtain Ideas for Bay Windows

Styling Bay Windows offers an opportunity to be creative, but it’s not easy. From conjuring up ideas to the installation process, the process will need a lot of patience and careful planning.

You will need to consider the height and width of the window, the amount of light you want to let in, and whether the curtains can maintain privacy. Aside from aesthetic appeal, you want the curtains to be functional and effective.

Here are 15 bay window curtain ideas that can satisfy various needs and expectations.

Read: "How High Should Curtains Be Above Window?"

1. Sleek White Curtains

Sleek white curtains are a tried and true design solution. They look effortlessly elegant, and you can’t go wrong with them even if you leave them alone. They reflect natural light well, so this is ideal if you want to keep the living room bright throughout the day even without the lights on.

This is ideal if you have a minimalist interior and want to keep the windows sleek with a cosmopolitan appeal. White curtains maintain aesthetic versatility that fits any interior and decor.

Read: How To Remove Metal Eyelets From Curtains?

Check out this white curtain on Amazon

2. Plain Yet Vibrant Drapery

Another way to maintain a polished interior without it looking too plain and colorless is to incorporate richly-colored drapery on your bay windows. Deep russets, maroons, teals, brown shades, and even dusty pink can instantly inject vibrance into your living room.

These curtain colors will make your living room effortlessly chic, and they will add character to the area. Make sure to pick colors that will blend seamlessly with your interior—you would not want the color scheme to be visually chaotic.

3. Dress In Layers

If you want a more elaborate window design, you can never go wrong with layers. There are many ways to incorporate layered curtains in bay windows since the shape of the window itself encourages layers.

One popular way to layer curtains is to combine sheer fabric with heavy drapes. The idea is to put the sheer curtains directly on the protrusion window, then install heavier drapes on the straight part of the wall that you can open or close as you wish.

The heavier drapes add visual texture and appeal to the window. They typically have a contrasting color to the lightness of the sheer fabric, but you can make the colors blend together if you want a breathier look.

Read: "How To Layer Curtains With Sheers On Same Rod."

4. Roller Shades

A simpler and more straightforward design solution is to simply install roller shades on bay windows. It is easier to maintain, and privacy can be effectively maintained. This is ideal if you want to keep your living room looking simple but polished.

It is not exactly a curtain, but roller shades are made with soft and breathable fabric thick enough to protect your house.

If you want more vibrant designs, go with patterned or brightly-colored roller shades to add visual appeal to your living room.

5. Colorful Blinds

If you want more control over the amount of light that enters the living room, blinds are the perfect option for you. Blinds have slits that you can adjust easily depending on your lighting preference, and they are relatively easier to maintain compared to other window treatments.

Choose a color that would inject vibrance into your interior such as terra cotta or pastel shades.

6. Layer Blinds With Thick Draperies

Another way to dress a bay window is to layer the blinds with thick drapes. Install the blinds at the protrusion, then put up thick drapes on a straight rod to soften the look and give the bay window a more elegant and visually alluring look.

Make sure the colors on both the drapes and the blinds complement one another and remain cohesive with the rest of your interior.

7. Install A Wooden Pelmet With Curtains

Wooden pelmets are a traditional design. They can add a rustic flair to your interior, which is ideal if that’s the look you’re aiming for.

They can make the room feel more welcoming, and they can cover the flaws at the top of the curtain or the wall behind it.

If you want a more sophisticated and modern look, you can paint the pelmet white or have it smoothened out.

8. Velvet Curtains

Incorporating Velvet fabric in any interior is a sure way to make the room feel more opulent and sophisticated. Having them on your bay windows can instantly command attention, especially if the velvet fabric is trimmed with gold.

Layer them with sheer or roller shades to make the window more functional and soften its look.

Check out this velvet curtain on Amazon

9. Sheer Curtains Beside Roller Shades

If you want to stick to dressing the protrusion on the bay window, you can still incorporate layers into the curtain design. Placing sheer curtains beside roller shades will add texture to the general style, and it will make your bay window more visually appealing.

10. Patterned Fabric

A simple way to make your bay windows attention-grabbing is to simply go for patterned curtains. Floral or geometric patterns usually do the trick as they make the interior look effortlessly chic without much effort.

As always, make sure the pattern is consistent with the aesthetic of the room.

11. Curtains Hung At Each Window

Another clever way to control the lighting in your living room besides incorporating blinds is to simply hang separate curtain panels in each window. The bay windows will have a softer and breathier look, and they can make your living room look more elegant.

12. Cafe Curtains

If you want to keep your living room casual, cafe curtains are the way to go. Cafe curtains give off a vintage vibe, and they can make your living room look vibrant.

They let in more natural light since the top portion is exposed, so this is ideal if you want to maximize the amount of light in your room as much as possible.

The possible downside of this is a compromise on privacy especially if your bay windows are high.

13. Silk Curtains

Silk curtains can instantly make your living room look opulent. The shiny fabric commands the room instantly, and it can be your living room’s accent. Just make sure to layer it with lighter fabric to soften its look and to make it blend with the interior.

14. Valence Curtains

Valence curtains have a reputation for looking outdated, but there are a lot of modern designs on the market that can instantly elevate your bay windows. With the right design, it will make for several lovely layering designs with other fabrics.

15. Neutral Colored

When in doubt, go neutral! Neutral-colored curtains easily blend into any interior, and they will look lovely against bay windows. Most neutral fabrics reflect light well while maintaining an adequate level of privacy at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Bay windows can be both fun and challenging to dress. The key is to keep a cohesive color scheme and to make sure the curtains are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

As always, follow your personal style and preferences when choosing your curtains!