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Original poster

If you have a bay window...

97 replies

Flora73 · 03/03/2023 16:13

Which of the following do you have?!

  • blinds on 3 windows
  • pole going across the top of the window on the outside of the recess
  • pole inside the recess going around the bay

I'm leaning towards option b. Maybe build a window seat, or put a piece of furniture there that will end up behind the curtains!

OP posts:
ThisMustBeMyDream · 03/03/2023 16:15

Blinds on all 3 windows, then a pole across the top with curtains that don't get closed - just for show. They help block the light when the blinds are closed on the 2 small windows.

mrsfeatherbottom · 03/03/2023 16:15

I'll be interested to hear the responses. We have a square bay and still have the old rails from the previous owners and they are such a pain to use as going round the corners is so tricky. We will be doing it up soon and need to decide what to replace it with.

kitchenSink5 · 03/03/2023 16:15

1 and 3! Not sure I like both or either tbh - so interested in what others say...

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 03/03/2023 16:16

Blinds and a pole around the shape of the recess

ThisMustBeMyDream · 03/03/2023 16:16

Here's a pic of mine.

If you have a bay window...
Nugg · 03/03/2023 16:17

5 panels in my bay and I have blinds on each panel and no curtains.

beguilingeyes · 03/03/2023 16:18

We have shutters

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 03/03/2023 16:18

Actually mine isn't a pole but a track because the ceiling of the bay is lower iykwim. I had wanted to keep the curtains as close to the ceiling as possible to keep the height

Awkwardusername · 03/03/2023 16:20

We have a blind fitted to the window (it’s a rectangular bay, and we have one blind so the short sides aren’t covered), and a curtain outside the recess (which we only close at night because the footstool sits in the bay and the dog likes to play in the curtains and sleep on the footstool behind them!)

ACurlyWurlyTail · 03/03/2023 16:26

curtain track fitted to the shape of the bay (5 panels) long curtains to the floor that can be closed just in front of the window ledge. I personally wouldnt want to go straight across as when curtains are closed you lose that space.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 03/03/2023 16:29

I have sheer linen type material going around the windows and then a pole on the wall for big thick curtains. Good for keep heat in during the colder months.

JaninaDuszejko · 03/03/2023 16:36

We have blinds in one room, in the others curtain tracks in the recess. In our old house we had a very expensive made to measure pole in the recess which I loved.

I wouldn't do what you are planning, you will make the room feel a lot smaller.

Which is best I think it depends how big the bay is. Ours are really big and the roller blinds, although made to measure weren't the best quality and I suspect the mechanism will fail before long for the biggest blind because it's so big. This would be less of an issue if you e.g. have a Victorian terrace with narrower bays, in which case interlined roman blinds will be your best option for a luxury feel but minimal loss of light. For a bigger bay generous full length curtains are gorgeous although expensive because of the amount of fabric. Although we bought tons of cheap as chips cotton fabric from IKEA and got curtains made to measure with pinch pleats and interlining and they look fab and cost £300 rather than over a grand so it does vary.

blibblibs · 03/03/2023 16:37

We have this too but to add to the issue we have a radiator in there too. Currently have a curtain pole going across the front. If we shut it the heat goes out the window but if we don't there's no privacy. Decorating soon so need to come up with something that preferably doesn't involve moving the radiator.

Original poster
Flora73 · 03/03/2023 17:24

Thanks everyone!

As a PP said, putting a pole across the top of the recess does shut that space off, but it's only in the evening? Also, nice bay window poles cost a fortune! I'm just thinking it would look odd even with the curtains undrawn.

Oh I don't know!

OP posts:
usernotfound0000 · 03/03/2023 17:26

Blinds to all 3 windows. The wall follows the window so not able to put a pole across (we did do that in the upstairs bay though) and trying to find a pole that didn't cost the earth to go around the bay seemed almost impossible.

CherrySocks · 03/03/2023 17:47

A bendy track that follows the shape of the walls, with concealed plastic curtain hooks.

TattiePants · 03/03/2023 17:51

I have 4 large bay windows, each with 6 panels so they have curtains fitted on a track inside the bay. They are the same tracks that were here when we bought the house 16 years ago but I keep putting off getting new ones due to the cost / faff. The 5th smaller bay has 3 separate Roman blinds.

sixfoot · 03/03/2023 17:51

Track that follows length of bay with full length curtains
yes it’s an investment but a good one! Don’t close off part of the room with a straight pole / track. Get something neutral that you love, you only have to do it once

Timeforchangeithink · 03/03/2023 17:56

I have blinds on 3 windows amd curtain pole on sides only as curtains don't get closed.

mathanxiety · 03/03/2023 18:04

Roman blinds on all three.

HeidiWhole · 03/03/2023 18:08

Following as we have two five panel bays with radiators underneath. Currently have blinds but house is old and draughty and we need curtains to keep the heat in. Short curtains look a bit naff but can't think of another option.
Looks as though it's going to cost a fortune so currently putting it off.

Schnooze · 03/03/2023 18:12

A and b

Blinds on windows that are pulled in the evening and a curtain pole across the recess with decorative curtains that are never pulled.

The recess is lower than normal ceiling height though.

Hoppinggreen · 03/03/2023 18:14

I had a radiator removed and a seat/cupboard built in . I have 3 blinds

IndiganDop · 03/03/2023 18:17

Roman blinds.

SunshineAndFizz · 03/03/2023 18:19

We have A, just blinds