If you have a bay window or you are considering replacing a flat window in your home with a new bay window, then you may be looking for some inspirational interior design ideas to make the most of this great feature.
A bay window can create light, storage, seating, a space for a featured piece of furniture and add beauty to any room. Read about the different design options that can be achieved within your home with a new bay window.
Take A Seat.
Whether your bay window is in a living room, kitchen, bathroom, hallway or bedroom you can create a cosy sitting area. This can be achieved by either building a bench seat (which can also double up as additional storage), arranging two easy chairs and a small coffee table together or you can place a small set of table and chairs in the bay area.
All theoption’s above work well, look at the floor space you have and which option would best suit your home.
Add Transoms also known as fanlights/toplights
A transom is window above a door or another window; it can be opened either by hinges at top or bottom, or rotates on hinges. It is designed to provide ventilation.
Adding additional transoms above your bay windows not only provides ventilation but adds additional light and also helps to make the room feel larger.
Use Window Cornices
A window cornice changes the shape of the window and also gives a layered effect if used with other window treatments such as blinds and drapes. The cornice can be constructed in a variety of shapes and decorated to match the colour theme in the room. The overall look can be very simple or as elaborate as you want.
Add Some Shelving and Storage
Shelves built up and around the window area enables you to create a library or a place to display your ornaments.
And adding storage under the window seat with either draws or baskets provides more valuable storage space within the room.
Add A Feature.
Once the new bay window is in placelook at what furniture apart from seating would benefit from being set in this part of the room.
For example; in a bathroom it would look stunning if a free standing bath was placed in front of the bay window, so the occupant could lie in the tub and admire the views in the garden.
Or if you have a bay window in the kitchen create a small herb garden on the large deep shelve above the sink or counter.
Another idea is to set up your desk in this space so you can admire the views either at the front or the back of your property whilst you work.
The choice is endless but the bay window can really frame a piece of furniture and make a stunning focal point in the room.
Window Treatments.
There are many options to choose from for example, shutters, heavy curtains, blinds (lots of design choices such as roller, roman, slates, vertical, etc.), and sheer drapes and so on.
When choosing the dressing for the window consider how much privacy you require, how much day light you want to block out and what protection your room needs from the sunlight. Then look at the style of the room and choose an option that will complement the design of the room. If you have other windows in the room you will of course need to dress them the same to have continuity throughout the room.