Best Bay Window Treatments + Measuring Guide

Hi Everyone,

Before I get into the Bay Window Treatments, I want/need to say that the 333 Hard To Find Rules & Tips Guide is complete.

If you don’t care to hear any more about the new guide, please skip to here. *

I couldn’t be more proud of it. And, one thing I really love is that many of these rules, you won’t find anywhere else. For instance, I figured out the formula for what size lantern to get. And, there’s a glossary of dozens of window treatment terms. And, so much more! In fact, I’ve updated this post to explain about more of what’s in the guide.

 

If you have Part I, you should have received a new and complete guide by now. (It will say Complete Guide on the cover)

 

NOTE: If you have not yet received your guide, please check your spam folder before contacting me. It is probably there. OR, you’re staring at it and don’t realize what it is. You’ll get an email from Sendowl my shopping cart.

And, it’ll say “An Updated Version of…” That will depend on if you purchased only the rules guide or received it as part of bundle with other products. You will probably get those again too.

 

*Okay, let’s get into the bay window treatments. Many of you are stumped.

 

Actually, most of the time, I feel that bay windows are pretty straight-forward, however, there are two situations that sometimes cause some confusion.

1) When there is either a deep window sill and/or window seat, or radiator under the bay window.

2) When there is a soffit in front of the bay window.

3) Both 1 and 2

Okay, here’s what I think.

My first thought regarding any kind of difficult bay windows or any difficult windows for that matter.

 

If you don’t need privacy and/or light control, consider doing nothing.

 

Yes, that’s right. Nothing.

 

BHG bay window - kitchen nook with transom windows

via BHG

Something I have seen over the years is folks putting up something, just because they don’t want to see a neked window. Or, they’ve been brainwashed into thinking that there MUST be something on the window.

Contrary to what some people believe to be “traditional,” windows from the 18th century frequently had no window treatment or the simplest of window treatments. You never saw some of the heavy, elaborate swag thingajobbies you see these days.

Although, I don’t see these as often now.

One thing I really and truly disdain when it comes to Bay window treatments is something like this.

 

hideous balloon valance - Bay Window treatments - window seat do not pin to pinterest or share anywhere on social media
We saw this image earlier when talking about the styles of window treatments. So, if you take a look at that post, you’ll see clearly some of what I’m talking about.

 

So, let’s say that we need light control and/or privacy for our bay window with a window seat. What are our choices?

 

  • A simple roller shade that’s up when you don’t need it and down when you do.
  • Roman Shades
  • Curtains

 

Wait, Laurel. You can do curtains? I thought you said somewhere not to do curtains if there’s a window seat.

 

I might have. And, it’s still not my first choice. But, I did find an image where I think they look nice.

 

Better Homes and Gardens BHG - Bay Windows - transom - window seat - curtainsVia BHG

These sheers look lovely in this situation. Maybe because there’s a table in front of a banquette?

As an aside, I’m having a problem with some other things, however. The table is too small for the window seat. I mean, if you’re going to have a window seat, then why is there a chair in front of it?

And, the rug is too small, as well.

But, we have a nice high ceiling and gorgeous windows with float-y curtains. That part is really well-done, I think.  And, I love the window seat, too.

 

So, the final window treatment solution for bay windows with a window seat are Roman Shades.

 

Or, it could also be a wood or natural fiber blind.

Please see this post about Roman Shades.

And, this post about woven wood blinds.

 

If doing a shade or a blind, we have two choices when it comes to installation

 

Inside mount which means inside the window jam.

 

christmas decorations that don't scream CHRISTMAS!

 

My living room taken exactly 4 years ago – with inside mount Roman Shades. Still loves these 6.5 years later.

But, sometimes there isn’t a window jam. There’s just a plastic window.

Then, we have to do outside mount.

Lynn Chalk - relaxed Roman Shade outside mount

Lynn Chalk – relaxed Roman Shade outside mount

However, measuring for outside mount Roman shades on a bay window can get a novice decorator in big trouble.

 

You go to measure. Like a typical window, you measure the length of the how far you want the window shade to go. You make a little pencil mark and you measure the middle window and then the right window.

Why is this a problem?

It’s a problem because your Roman Shade is always mounted on a board which means that there’s going to be a projection.

 

Design Loves Detail found on Ave Home - round dining tables with banquette and Louis XVI style chairs - Roman Shades

Design Loves Detail found on Ave Home

 

McGrath2_RYE_bay windows - Roman ShadesMcGrath II

Above in this elegant room, you can see the side of the board. Sometimes the board runs the opposite way. You need to be covered. And, you need to know the projection of that board.

 

And, what that means in plain English is that the measurement at the front of the board is not the same measurement as it is against the window.  Thus, if you use the window measurement, your boards are going to collide.

 

The only solution is to have the end shades hang past the window frame. And it might be by a couple of inches. If your window casing (trim) is at the edge of the wall, your end shades are going to hang over the edge and into space.

Uh, oh.

 

Lynn Chalk - outside mount Roman Shades

Lynn Chalk

 

In addition, of course, there’s an angle to your Bay Window. But, the window treatments above are a perfect example of what I’m talking about.

 

Now, I was considering teasing you by telling you that it’s in the new guide. (and, it is!)

 

But, that would be mean, not to include it here too.

Very manipulative, that would be.

And, I know that would make me not very happy if someone did that to me. Of course, I want you to get the new guide, as well. But, I also want you to not get mad at me.

So, I’m going to tell you the super-duper easy way to figure how big each shade needs to be.

 

bay window measuring

 

Above is a graphic representation of what I’m talking about.

 

But, here’s the trick to get the correct measurement.

 

Measuring Angle Bay Window - point of collision

 

Take two index cards or some other heavy paper. Mark the depth of the board. Make a pencil mark on the sill. Do that all the way around. The measurements between the two marks will be the correct width each board needs to be.

What if you’re doing a rod for a bay window.

 

Can you do three separate rods?

 

Well, you could, but I probably wouldn’t.

These days they do make rods that are adjustable. Very clever idea!

 

Decopolitan Drapery Bay Window Curtain Rod Set, Oil Rubbed Bronze - extension rod

Decopolitan Drapery Bay Window Curtain Rod Set, Oil Rubbed Bronze – extension rod

 

However, I’m not sure how strong they are. I’m sure they would be fine for something light-weight. Oh, and they are showing those horrid rings with the clips. I don’t understand those. Jocon drapery curtain rings eyelets 1 inch inner diameterJocon drapery curtain rings eyelets 1 inch inner diameter

 

But, if you want something nicer, it’ll need to be custom.  They will still probably make it in sections that screw together, if it’s a large window.

 

BAY WINDOW MEASURE DRAPERY ROD

 

You can use pretty much the same method to figure out the sizes when doing a custom curtain rod for a bay window.

  • Measure the length of each window panel A, B, and C, including stackback allowance. (Stackback allowance is usually about 12″ per drapery panel)
  • Measure the total depth D of the window from the front to the middle of the central window pane.
  • Measure the total width E of the window from left to right.

 

Your workroom should be able to figure out the angle, but so can you.

 

Do as indicated measuring 12″ along the two angles and then measure the distance between the two end points. Below is a triangle calculater.  However, if you do it on picmonkey, it’ll give you the angle. It said 27 degrees, and the calculator said 127, so forgive me, math wasn’t my strongest subject.  But, it’s 127 degrees in this case.

Triangle calculator

 

In addition, once you figure this out, it wouldn’t hurt to actually make a template.

 

Oh, I know, it’s a total pain in the butt. But so is ordering a custom rod and not having it fit. Just tape together enough pieces of newspaper and use a yardstick to make your lines.

 

bay window with small soffit living room

If there’s a soffit over the bay window and it’s an 8 foot ceiling, and I wish to do drapes, I’ll prefer to mount the drapes outside as we did in this living room, above.

 

Dining Area - lake view - bay window - monochromatic color scheme - round Table Hickman Design Associates - round dining tables

Hickman Design Associates

Who doesn’t adore this wonderful lake house by Hickman Design Associates! Everything about this vignette is perfection, IMO. It looks like these lovely sheers were hung underneath the soffit. So, what’s the difference? The difference is that those are super large windows with transoms and so must already be at least 9 feet high to the top of the curtain rod.

 

@juliagoodwindesign on instagram - photo @laeiou - bay window - curtain rod - Pottery Barn

Julia Goodwin Design on Instagram

photo @laeiou – bay window – curtain rod – Pottery Barn

 

pottery barn-standard-curtain-hardware-collection-o

Pottery Barn Standard curtain rod collection

As you can see it comes in a bunch of finishes. And, they have a connector to use for bay windows.

So, there it is. Some of my favorite window treatments for bay windows and how to measure for Roman shades and custom drapery rods that will fit perfectly.

xo,

 

 

PS: Please check out the newly updated hot sales and holiday shop. There is still time to order gifts in time for Christmas.

In addition, please check out the new and complete Rules Guide, just out. If you’d like to know more about it, click here.

17 Responses

  1. This post is so freaking helpful! I’ve been stuck on some tricky windows with window seats in my house. Been feeling like “none” is the best window treatment option for them, but wasn’t sure it would look okay. You’ve made me way more confident about naked windows!

    I have a general question about roller shades and I understand if you can’t answer it. Have you ever done roller shades on just the lower sash of a 2-sash window, or seen it done and liked it? Thanks either way. My husband and I love your advice so much. Happy Hanukkah!

  2. Thank you, Laurel. Valuable information, good photo examples and thank you for the diagrams as well. I’m really glad you did this ( I have a bay window with deep window seat). Plus, I have windows with radiators.

  3. Hahaha, I didn’t expect that to post right away and thought you might delete the link. Oh well, now everyone can weigh in! It’s my next project and I really need to figure this out soon. I’m tired of the paper shades!

    1. Hi Donna,

      I prefer not to get into a forum thing here. That window should really be two ore even three windows. Can’t say for sure. I never said that I don’t like shutters. I just did a post about them. I said that they are expensive around here and very uncommon. And, my installers hate putting them in. A couple of times, the client got the quote and decided against them. But, I don’t hate them at all.

      You can do one shade. When I had a long window like that, I would do one with four sets of rings and the fabric would naturally dip a little. You could also do two shades. There are zillions of options. A trim would help. Maybe hire someone local for some additional help.

  4. I’m so happy you’ve included this issue in your blog! I have a large bay window in my master bedroom, so I need privacy. The window looks very much like the “McGrath II” window with a soffit and 8 ft ceiling, but my window is bigger. The center window is nine panes across and six panes down. The two side widows are sash windows: the top and bottom have two panes across and three down. Right now, I’ve got lovely $10.00 paper shades hanging on the window! I’ve been trying to decide between Roman shades and shutters. So, I have two questions, 1) The center window is roughly 75 inches wide. Is it too wide for one Roman shade? Would it look OK with two Roman shades? 2) You didn’t mention shutters. I know you aren’t crazy about shutters (read that somewhere in your blog), and I know they are expensive, but what do you think about shutters on that “McGrath” window?

    Here is my window. It’s from the real estate listing two years ago. If you give it a second, it will take you right to the window picture. A lot has changed inside the house (for the better) since following your blog!

  5. Hi Laurel,
    I have a friend who just finished a kitchen renovation that includes a bay window. I’ll have to show her this article. It might help her decide what to do with her windows. Thanks for the excellent advice.
    I hope you’re doing well.

  6. Great information, BUT, my bay windows do not go to the ceiling (I have 20 inches of wall above them, yikes). Any ideas before I undertake this project?

    1. Hi Suzette,

      Without seeing everything going on, such as ceiling height, style of home, style of decor, other rooms, other windows, budget, etc. advising you would not be a good idea. There are always solutions. This is why I can’t give advice unless it’s for a blog post, Perhaps consult with a professional in your area? Also, please check out this post which links to every other post before this one having to do with window treatments. Maybe you’ll find something that’ll ring truee.

  7. Excellent article as usual, but here is where my heart is. “If you don’t need privacy and/or light control, consider doing nothing.” THANK YOU!!! When I moved into my house almost 10 years ago, we gutted the kitchen, but left the beautiful bay window. The designer who helped me with the kitchen made me feel like I was some sort of mutant alien because I wanted to leave the window naked. We live on a wooded lot, I need all the light I can get, and privacy is a non-issue. Thank you for making my choice feel “ok”.

    1. My pleasure Sue. And shame on that designer for making you feel bad about ANYTHING! There really is no call for that. If she was only looking at her pocketbook, then double shame!

  8. I can’t understand why someone would put in those tiny curtains at the top of the bay window in the second picture. The architecture and construction are so beautiful, and the curtains don’t even seem to serve a purpose.

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Hi, I’m Laurel, and Laurel Home is the website and blog for Laurel Bern Interiors.
I’ve been creating new-traditional interiors since 1988. The blog is where I share all.

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