If you know Rayleigh, you’ll know the town is full of characterful homes — the kind with charming shaped windows, bay fronts and angles that look lovely from the outside but can be a bit of a puzzle when it comes to window dressing. Blinds often don’t sit right. Curtains can look bulky. And shaped windows? Well, they either make you fall in love with the place… or stop you sleeping until you find something that actually fits.
That’s exactly the sort of challenge our team at Lifestyle Shutters & Blinds thrives on. We were contacted by a homeowner in Rayleigh who wanted a solution for their master bedroom shaped windows and the bay window in their second bedroom. They wanted flexibility, more privacy, and something that wouldn’t steal their natural light — but they also didn’t want the room to feel cluttered.
This is a case study of how we approached the design, the fitting, and ultimately delivered a set of premium basswood shutters that exceeded expectations.
Understanding the brief — design consultation & planning
Every project we take on starts with an honest conversation. No pushing, no guessing, no hidden extras — just clear design advice based on experience.
Our surveyor Adam met with the client in person for a full design consultation. He walked through the rooms, discussed what the homeowner wanted to avoid (heavy-looking shutters, losing too much light) and what they wanted to gain (privacy, style and a solution blinds simply couldn’t offer).
If you’ve ever tried fitting blinds to shaped windows in Rayleigh’s older homes, you’ll know the struggle. They just don’t sit right or leave gaps everywhere. So shutters were absolutely the right call.
Once Adam had taken careful measurements — the kind that require standing on tiptoes, leaning sideways and double-checking angles just to be sure — we got to work designing the perfect layout.
Why this job needed a bespoke shutter installation
This wasn’t a straightforward square-window installation. Far from it.
Shaped windows in the master bedroom
Shaped shutters require extremely precise manufacturing. Every angle, curve and corner needs to line up with the frame otherwise the whole thing looks “off”.
A bay window in the second bedroom
Bay windows are gorgeous, but they’re also unforgiving. If one panel is even slightly out, the entire run of shutters can sit skewed.
So before anything went into production, we checked and rechecked measurements to ensure the shutters would mirror the exact shape of the windows — not fight against them.
Using Premium Basswood Shutters — the ideal choice
For this project, we used our Premium Basswood Shutters, chosen for their:
- Strength
- Smooth finish
- Lightweight feel
- Ability to be crafted into shaped panels
- Long-lasting durability
Basswood is a favourite for projects like this because it allows for crisp angles, beautiful lines and clean detailing — everything you want in shaped or bay window shutters.
The installation — seamless, precise and incredibly satisfying
When it came to fitting day, our in-house installers (never subcontractors) arrived in the branded Lifestyle van and got to work.
Because the design had been meticulously planned, the installation was smooth and seamless. Each shutter panel aligned perfectly with the window shape. The hinges sat flush. The frames were tight. And the shutters opened and closed effortlessly.
You could see the transformation instantly.
The rooms went from “nice” to “wow” in a couple of hours.
The client was especially pleased that:
- The shaped window shutters enhanced the architecture instead of hiding it
- The bay window shutters offered complete privacy without blocking natural light
- The overall look was elegant, modern and made-to-measure
And most importantly, everything matched the home’s aesthetic perfectly.
Reassurance and final checks
Before we packed up, we walked the client through every detail:
- How the shutters open
- How to adjust slats for light control
- How to get full privacy without darkening the room
- How to care for their new shutters long-term
The homeowner said they were “beyond pleased with the quality of the workmanship and shutters” — and honestly, hearing that never gets old.
What made this Rayleigh project special
A few points stood out:
- The shaped windows required extremely careful planning
- The homeowner was worried about losing light, so design decisions mattered
- Blinds weren’t suitable, making shutters the only effective solution
- Premium Basswood Shutters allowed the exact shape to be mirrored
- The installation needed precision to keep everything lined up
And because we only use our own fully trained installers, the entire project flowed from consultation to fitting without any hiccups.
The final result — beautiful, practical and tailor-made
Both bedrooms now have stunning, functional shutters that offer:
- Full light control
- Adjustable privacy
- A clean, sophisticated finish
- A perfect fit for shaped and bay windows
Project work gallery
The home feels brighter, more balanced and more stylish — exactly what the client hoped for.
Thinking of installing bay window or shaped shutters in Essex?
If you’ve got tricky windows, unusual angles or a bay that just won’t work with blinds, we’d love to help.
Lifestyle Shutters & Blinds covers Rayleigh, Chelmsford, Billericay, Brentwood, Southend, Basildon and all surrounding Essex areas.
Get in touch today for a free quote for Installation of Bay Window & Shaped Shutters to Bedrooms.
We’ll measure, design and install shutters that genuinely fit — beautifully.