Home to one of the many peculiarities of the St. Sebaldus Church in Nuremberg is a small house chapel in its parsonage. Chörlein, they call it. Chörlein, meaning Little Apse or Little Choir. Funny, it is called a small house when it is a simple medieval bay window. Maybe Bay windows aren’t so simple after all. Maybe the most glorious intricacies lie in the simplest structures. Maybe you do not have a window worthy of note if it’s not a bay window, and exploring different bay window ideas can transform your space into something extraordinary.
You see a movie poster or a novel cover with a pretty lady in a wedding dress. She could either have hot tears welled up in her amber eyes, or slit across her pretty face is a smile brighter than the sun. Of course, her hands are pressed lightly against a glass. There’s a 99.99% chance that she’s standing by a bay window! You’ll agree with me soon enough.
What is a bay window?
A bay window is a window or series of windows in a curved shape that forms a bay. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure that one out. That’s basically what it means in the simplest of terms though. To explain even further, a bay window is a generic term depicting a window space that projects outward from the main walls of a building, forming a bay in a room. A large bay window can create an inviting and cosy space within a kitchen or living room, allowing light to pour in and providing views of the outdoor area. It is a windowed walled protrusion. Imagine having an enclosed glassed verandah in your room. Yes, that is what a bay window is.
While most bay windows are curved and spherically shaped, architects have gotten even more creative, and we have seen bay windows with the most unbelievable shapes over the years. Some of the shapes of bay windows include isosceles trapezoids, squares, rectangles, polygons, and very rarely, triangles.
Bay windows, most often than not, are regarded as ornamental attachments of a building, rather than its organic part. In essence, while what your house needs is a window, a bay window improves its aesthetic value and serves as a focal point in your interior design.
With roots ingrained in British culture and heritage, Bay windows have spread like wildfire. They have rapidly gained grounds and acceptance in Canada, Australia, and the United States, amongst other English speaking countries; and all over the world at large.
Of all the types and shades, probably the most common type of bay window is the Oriel window. Supported by corbels, brackets or similar structures, it is a form of bay window which does not reach to the ground. They are especially common in the Arab regions, allowing women to have a view of the outside, while not being seen from the outside. Again, your own private balcony/verandah.
As if walking into a small house, you can literally walk into your window.
Tips for beautiful bay windows
When considering how to enhance the beauty of your bay window space, there are several simple and ingenious measures you can take.
Beautiful bay windows? This could surely pass for tautology for it is not a bay window in the first place if it’s not a stunning beauty! The idea here is to examine simple, ingenious measures to enhance, even more, the beauty of these beautiful structures.
1. What is a bay window without curtains?
Absolute heresy and aberration is a curtainless bay window. It is worse than treason! Apart from the fact that curtains shield your home and family from unnecessary publicity, they serve an important aesthetic value. The bay window is the light; the curtains are the prisms. Together, they can make a rainbow-like beauty of your home.
Here’s how you can make the best of curtains.
A. Use multiple curtains: While it’s okay to use a single long curtain for casement windows, with such roominess that bay windows have, why would you ever want to use just one curtain? Bay windows allow for the full expression of a combination of a wide variety of curtains. Curtains with different colours, curtains with different textures. Combine Venetian blinds with Roman blinds, and just any other blinds there are. You can rarely go wrong.
B. Use long curtains: Because of the height that many bay windows have, only long curtains fit. You should on no occasion use a short curtain when you have a long window. Bay windows tend to make even large curtains look smaller. Hence, the need to use oversized curtains. You want to hang those curtains really high too – this adds to its aesthetic value. You should hang the curtains some inches above where the window begins.
C. Play with colours: Nothing will be sadder than using multiple curtains on your bay window with the same colours. You never want to do this. Use a variety of colours. Pick colours according to a purpose. You could pick colours that match with the colour of the walls, or you could decide to go rogue altogether, and pick contrasting colours! Do whatever you want, there are too many colours in this world.
D. Let your light free: As unconventional windows, bay windows increase the light flow into your home. To emphasise and truly enhance the lighting that bay windows afford, interior decorator experts can help you select sheer pleated blinds that form an amazing backdrop. These allow little bouncing lights of sunlight to filter into your room gently. Sheer curtains are an excellent choice for bay windows as they provide privacy while still allowing natural light to filter through, creating a soft and gauzy look. This will create such a beautifying effect!
E. Use fully-lined fabrics: Because they have more glass than a normal window, heat tends to escape more. Without the necessary curtains of the right texture, you might feel left out in the cold in your own home! You can now stop wondering why fireplaces and bay windows seem to always go hand in hand. Regardless of the kinds of blinds you choose to use, be sure to include pleated blinds in performance fabric, and Roman shades too. These have high insulating properties.
2. Shutters open beauty and natural light
Shutters secure a striking effect like no other. Shutters and curtains used hand-in-hand are just heavenly. Use larger louvres to allow more light in, or use shorter apertures if your bay window faces the busy streets.
In addition to shutters, consider other window treatments such as draperies, curtains, and blinds to enhance the overall look and feel of your bay windows.
3. Adorn your bay window with flowers
You want flowers for your bay window. You think you’ve seen all the beauty in this world till you place a beautiful vase of beautifully scented bouquet by the side of a bay window! Placing flowers by your bay window allows them to thrive in the natural light, adding a vibrant and fresh touch to your space.
4. Relax with a window seat!
Your legs must ache eventually if you stand next to your bay window all the time. Improve the aesthetics of your bay window with a window seat. Beautiful sofas, armrests and rocking chairs amongst other types of chairs all have a place in a bay window.
While you can have multiple curtains, you are definitely not allowed to have multiple chair types all in the same location. You want to sit down and absorb the view of the beautiful sea as it rolls over itself in gentle waves; the blue sky; the business of a Saturday morning; the list is endless. There is a reason most of the pictures of bay windows have chairs in them! Even more exciting is the genius behind the idea of a comfy mini bed just attached to the edge of the bay window beneath! Naps could never get dreamier.
Furthermore, unless you have a particular shallow bay window, you could actually opt to have a seating area built into your bay window. A bespoke built in bench with upholstered cushioning allows you to seamlessly blend elegance and comfort, creating a welcoming bay window nook that you’ll never want to leave.
You could take this one step further with a rather left field bay window idea and consider transforming your bay window area into a cozy reading nook with a fabric swing!
5. Beautiful flooring
To wrap this up, beautiful floors have an all-important role to play in the ultimate outlook that your bay windows have. You might want to go creative and make the flooring of this area in your house different from the others. You might want to get some hardwood floors, vinyl flooring, a beautiful furry rug, or just about any other kind of flooring. It improves the aesthetics of your bay window more than you can possibly imagine.
6. Don’t leave the walls totally bare
The walls around your bay window should lack no finesse whatsoever. Decorate your walls with simple family photographs and amazing wallpapers. Be sure not to be overly excessive. You do not aim to have a showroom. These in conjunction with the curtains and lights and just about every other accessory make a warm home of your bay window a confiding niche. You’ll be amazed at the number of memories you can build around a simple bay window!
Consider creating a bay window workspace by adding a desk and chair, utilising the natural light and maximising the space for productivity.
Bay windows will add beauty to your home
There are of course more creative measures you can use to improve the aesthetics of your bay window. These are but a few. Bay windows are amazingly beautiful. When well decorated, bay window ideas are absolutely one of the best things that can add beauty to your home. Bay windows can also be transformed into a charming dining space, providing an enjoyable area for meals with a view.
Conclusion
Bay windows are a timeless architectural feature that brings beauty, functionality, and elegance to any home. By employing a diverse array of window treatments, incorporating comfortable seating, and utilising floral arrangements, you can significantly enhance the charm and utility of this space. Whether you aim to transform your bay window into a cozy reading nook, a delightful dining area, or simply a picturesque spot to soak in natural light, the possibilities are endless.
Ready to make the most of your bay windows?
Get in touch with Lifestyle Shutters and Blinds today to find the perfect coverings that blend style, comfort, and efficiency. Let our team of experts help you bring your vision to life and create a truly stunning focal point in your home.