A traditional way to treat a bay window seat is with a seating cushion fitted to the bay window shape. But what if you already have plenty of seating and you want to do something different and unexpected with your bay window? Here are some ideas you can use as a springboard for your own brainstorming:
- Accent your bay window seat with flat decor, the way you might accent a sideboard or buffet table. Lay a mirror or series of mirrors on the seat to reflect the plentiful light. You can also display a table runner, mats, or trivets.
Image created with RoomStyler - Use your bay window as a stage to display a collection, such as baskets, pottery, or lanterns with candles. Consider the scale, however. Anything smaller than a paperback book will struggle to stand out in front of the window.
Image created with RoomStyler - Use your window seat for additional coffee table book display space. Rotate the books out of the window regularly so they don’t get damaged from overexposure to the sunlight.
Image created with RoomStyler - Even if you don’t want to use the seating space, floor pillows can add texture and color to your bay window.
Image created with RoomStyler - Small and medium sized paintings can get lost on large walls. Displaying a few of these, or other framed pieces on small easels or plate stands, will draw attention to your art and liven up your window seat.
Image created with RoomStyler - Consider a simple symmetrical arrangement, such as two matching table lamps at either end of the window seat. Two matching vases could work as well. Again, scale will be important. If your lamps or vases aren’t at least one-third the height of the window, they are likely too small to make a statement.
Image created with RoomStyler - Do you have a green thumb? Try cultivating an indoor garden on your window seat. Not only will plants add interest to the space, they’ll also thrive on the regular sun exposure. (Note: Make sure to choose plants that tolerate plentiful sunlight.)
Image created with RoomStyler - If your room is more formal, you could use your bay window seat as a plinth for one striking sculpture. Again, be mindful of appropriate scale: look for something at least half as tall and preferably half as wide as the window. As a natural sun catcher, a glass sculpture would be stunning in a bay window!
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Bays vs. Bows
Do you have a bay window or a bow window? They are in fact slightly different, but the decor suggestions above could apply to either. A bay window has three sections: traditionally a large, flat, inoperable central window and two smaller, angled, operable side windows. The side windows’ angles can vary—even out to 90 degrees. (That’s a “box bay.”) From Wikipedia: “The term bay comes from Old French baie, meaning an opening or hole.”
A bow window has four or more identical windows arranged in a gentle curve “bowing” out from the house. They are often casement style windows.
Try This at Home!
I hope this gave you some ideas for windows in your home. If you’re searching for curtain options, have a look at 4 Ways to Do Casual Living Room Curtains. Got more questions? Leave me a comment below and let’s talk about it!