Spotlight Bay and Garden Window Treatments
We rely on windows to bring light, air, and life into our homes, but some windows have an extra special place in our hearts. Two of the most popular windows that fall outside the ordinary are bay and garden windows. The former provide us with sweeping views and our homes with extra light and enhanced curb appeal, while the latter let us bring a little bit of the great outdoors inside.
When it comes to decorating these windows, however, their unusual shapes and distinctive construction often mean they’re left bare by homeowners who aren’t quite sure which treatments will work best. If you’re looking for a way to enhance your bay and garden windows, but need a little guidance, we’ve put together a few tips to help.
Turning a Bay Window into a Showstopper
Big, beautiful, and bold, bay windows give you a literal window to the world that also adds visual interest to your home from the outside. Inside, however, the task of decorating a multi-pane, projecting window with just the right window treatment (that also looks great from outside) can seem like a pretty daunting challenge.
Fortunately, decorating a bay window is much easier than you might think. We’re big fans of using Roman Shades to decorate bay windows. Why? Three reasons:
- Beauty Roman Shades offer a clean, modern look and feature a neutral backing, allowing them to complement the beauty of your bay window, inside and out.
- Versatility Available in a rainbow of colors, shades, patterns, and styles, Roman Shades can be customized to fit just about any decor. In addition, multiple opacity options give you complete control over light and privacy, up or down.
- Convenience Compatible with motorization and cordless installs, Roman Shades are as easy to enjoy as they are beautiful. Push-button operation means you can enjoy your bay window views when you want to, and greater privacy and light control when you don’t.
You can easily pair Roman Shades with drapes for a more elaborate look, or, if you’re keen on maximizing light and views, skip the shades and opt for the charming simplicity of a valence. Another wonderful option for bay windows is shutters, which not only add instant elegance and charm, but actually increase your home’s value. Over/under shutters are especially beautiful on a bay window, and allow you to balance privacy and light control in style.
A Little Bit of Eden: Garden Windows
Like bay windows, garden windows often have a unique and unusual shape compared to the other windows in a home. And since they’re usually full of herbs, flowers, or other plants, it’s easy to let nature’s bounty provide the decoration. In most cases—particularly if you use your garden window as an herbiary for your kitchen cooking needs—this is a great start.
But if you’re looking to create a more finished look, consider adding a valance or a fun fabric panel at the top of the window to provide visual interest. And if you’d like a little more privacy and better light control for those extra-sunny days (while still ensuring your small garden gets plenty of light), woven wood shades with or without a linen backer can add just the right note of natural elegance.
And for the more adventurous, faux iron grills on the exterior to provide plenty of light along with customizable and durable beauty. Made of modern materials, they won’t rust, resist warping and cracking, and have a timeless look that can turn your little garden into a conversation piece.
No matter what kind of window you’re looking to dress for success, your friends at Made in the Shade can help! Get in touch to schedule a free, in-home consultation and let us help you bring beauty and utility to all the windows in your home.
