How To Dress Your Bay Windows

Bay windows are one of a home's most charming features. They invite natural light, offer panoramic views, and add architectural character. But when it comes to dressing them, many homeowners find themselves unsure of the best approach. At Feather and Grey Interiors, we specialise in blinds and shutters that beautifully enhance even the trickiest spaces—bay windows included.

Here’s our guide to help you dress your bay windows with style, practicality, and elegance.

Understand the Structure of Your Bay Window

Before choosing a window styling, it’s essential to understand the architectural structure of your bay window. Not all bay windows are created equal, and the specific shape and depth of yours will significantly influence which dressing solutions will look and function best.

There are a few common types of bay windows:

• Angled Bay Windows – Often found in Victorian and Edwardian homes, these have three panels with the side windows set at angles to the front-facing pane. This classic design works beautifully with individual blinds on each window or custom-fitted shutters that follow the angles precisely.

  
  

• Box Bay Windows – These have a more rectangular shape, with side windows that are set at 90-degree angles to the central pane. The squared-off layout lends itself well to full-height shutters or sleek roller blinds, offering both practicality and a sharp, modern look.

  
  

• Bow Windows – Bow windows are typically made up of four or more panels that form a gentle, curved shape. Their rounded contour can soften the lines of a room, and dressing them requires flexible and finely fitted solutions, such as curved curtain tracks or multiple Roman blinds that blend seamlessly across each section.

At Feather and Grey Interiors, we take the guesswork out of this process. Our experienced team provides complimentary consultations as well as accurate and precise measurements, ensuring your blinds or shutters are tailor-made to perfectly fit the unique structure of your bay window.

Maximise Light While Maintaining Privacy

Bay windows are known for their light-enhancing qualities, so you don’t want to block that out. At Feather and Grey Interiors, we offer a range of blinds and shutters that preserve your natural light while providing privacy—especially important in front-facing rooms where bay windows are common.

• Try tier-on-tier shutters for the best of both worlds. These shutters are designed with two independently opening panels: a top tier and a bottom tier. Keep the top tier open during the day to allow the light to flow into the room whilst keeping the bottom tier closed for privacy.

  
  

  Another option could be to add a mid-rail or split into full height shutters which will allow you to move the louvres independently, helping to maintain privacy whilst maximising on light.

  
  

• If you are looking for blinds, try top-down bottom up cellular or pleated blinds for allowing light in whilst maintaining privacy. These open from the top down or bottom up, allowing you to expose just part of the window. This is perfect for letting in daylight at the top while keeping the lower half covered for privacy.

  
  

• Café height curtains also provide a perfect balance of privacy and natural light. Covering only the lower portion of the window, they allow sunlight to stream in through the top while shielding the room from outside view. This makes them ideal for spaces like kitchens or breakfast nooks, where both brightness and a sense of seclusion are desired. These could also be paired with full length curtains for warmth and cosiness in the evenings.

Consider the Room Use

It's important to match your window styling to the purpose of the room, as different window stylings offer specific benefits—whether you need greater light control, enhanced privacy, or a balance of both.

• If privacy is a priority—especially in ground-floor rooms or those facing the street—opt for flexible solutions like tier-on-tier shutters, top-down/bottom-up blinds, or layered curtains. Tier-on-tier shutters and top-down/bottom-up blinds allow light in from the top while keeping the lower section covered whilst sheer curtains paired with heavier curtains offer both daytime privacy and full coverage when needed.

  
  

• For bedrooms it would be important to consider a window styling that benefits from blackout qualities to ensure a restful sleep. Roman blinds with a blackout lining can help improve room darkening.

  
  

  Pairing window stylings is another great way to ensure complete blackout such as tier-on-tier shutters with a discreet motorised blackout roller blind sitting behind or adding blackout curtains with Venetian blinds can both help increase room darkening.

  
  

• If your room is likely to be used for guest entertainment such as a dining area it is worth considering styles that offer style as well as insulation. Heavier fabric curtains like velvet or lined curtains can help retain warmth, ensuring guests are comfortable in the colder months, as well as being aesthetically pleasing. These could be paired with sheer curtains, such as café height, to allow for air flow in the warmer months.

  
  

  To add a little playfulness, think about including some add-ons such as pom-poms, trims or borders; contrasting tie backs can be a great addition for curtains.

Make It a Focal Point

Bay windows naturally draw attention and are often one of the most striking architectural features in any space. Whether in a period property or a contemporary build, they serve as both a functional and visual centrepiece.

• Contrasting shutter finishes that compliment your décor also make the bay window the focal point of the room. In a room with light walls and soft furnishings, the deep hues of charcoal grey, navy, or rich espresso on the shutters will provide a striking contrast, drawing attention to the window as a key design element.

  
  

  Have a specific colour in mind? No problem, we can also colour match with a range of paint manufacturers such as Farrow & Ball and Dulux. Not only that, we also offer a choice of different woodgrains to add texture to your beautifully coloured shutters.

  
  

  Visit our gallery to see how we've brought this look to life for our clients.

  
  

• Create a cosy reading nook by adding a window seat with soft cushions beneath your bay window. Enhance the space with coordinating cushions or fabrics from our soft furnishings collection. Our exquisite range features custom-made scatter cushions and bench seat cushions, available in the same fabrics as your blinds for a seamless, coordinated look.

  
  

• You might want to consider bold prints for your blinds to draw the eye. For example, if your bay window looks out over your garden or large open space of green then Roman blinds in a floral pattern with whites and soft pastels could frame the view to the outside beautifully. 

Professional Installation Is Key

Bay windows can be tricky to measure and fit accurately due to their angles and depth. That’s where we come in. At Feather and Grey Interiors, we provide:

• complimentary design consultations for all our clients. One of our experienced team will visit you to assess your room and layout, discussing your style preferences, lifestyle needs, and the functional goals of your window stylings. A no-obligation quote can then be provided and estimated timeline for delivery and installation.

  
  

• precise measuring which will take place during the design consultation to ensure your window stylings fit perfectly. This is essential especially for bay windows as they aren’t always uniform—each section can differ in size or angle. Precision ensures window stylings fit perfectly across all panes.

  
  

• expert installation, so your window stylings fit perfectly and perform beautifully. Bay windows can sometimes be trickier to align due to their multiple angles so it is essential window stylings are fitted professionally. Incorrectly fitted window stylings can be costly and in some cases cause damage to your windows.

Ready to Transform Your Bay Windows?

Whether you prefer the crisp elegance of shutters or the gentle texture of fabric blinds, Feather and Grey Interiors can help you make the most of your bay windows. With over 15 years of carpentry experience and a background installing shutters and blinds for some of the UK’s leading companies, we bring expert craftsmanship to every project. With bespoke solutions, high-quality materials, and a commitment to exceptional service, we’ll help you turn that awkward space into a stunning feature.

Searching for the perfect solution for your bay windows? We offer a complimentary, no-obligation design consultation to discuss your needs and bring your vision to life. Drop us an email or give us a call.