Bay Windows and Curtains

Ideas To Decorate Your Bay Windows

2011-07-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Bay windows, or window spaces that project outward from the main walls of a building and forming a square or polygonal "bay" in a room, can add great elegance to a home.
They are usually associated with Victorian architecture and can give the illusion that the room they're in is larger than it actually is. This type of window can also increase the flow of natural light to a room and provide views of the outside that would not normally be available with an ordinary window.
However, while having its advantages, you may have trouble trying to figure out how to dress them up and make them more of an integrated part of the rooms they're in, being that they essentially "stick" out from the rest of the room. Here are some ideas to help you bring your bay windows "back into the room."
If you wish to emphasize your bay windows with a clean-lined, contemporary style, drawing attention to each individual window with its own custom-fitted Roman shade will help to accentuate the window's linear quality. You can choose between a soft Roman shade, one which has soft, overlapping folds when the shade is lowered, and a flat Roman shade, which has no folds when lowered.
At the same time, the shade's permanent pleats help to add a horizontal element to balance the window's strong vertical linear nature. You can choose whether you want to mount the Roman shades inside the window frame to emphasize the architecture of the window or if you want to put the Roman shades outside the window frame to present a tailored look to the window.
Another way to utilize your bay windows is to have them complement, but not compete with, other elements in your room, such as your bed or furniture. You could embellish the bay windows by creating a cornice (a decorative box frame that is often made of wood and is attached directly to the wall above a window in order to conceal hardware) and cover or paint it. You could also add some short curtains that cover the lower half of the window if you wish to have more privacy and less light coming into the room.
You could also make the bay windows the focal point of the room by using a valance (a decorative panel of fabric used often at the tops of draperies and curtains to conceal hardware) to help unite the bay windows into one unified group, which makes them the focal point of a room. This is often a great idea if you have many romantic elements in a room, as the presence of the bay windows often adds to the romantic elegance of a room, especially if the valance matches or tastefully blends with the furnishings of the room.
Another way to add romance to a room with bay windows is to use accordion shades (shades that look much like accordions and can be either raised from the bottom, lowered from the headrail, or both,) and have layers of spring-colored fabric over the bay window. This not only adds more color to the room, but their soft form gives the architecture a softer appearance. The accordion shades help to control how much light and privacy the room has at any given time.
As you can see, you have many options to help make the bay windows an integral part of the rooms they are in. You can either incorporate them with the rest of the room's furnishings or make them stand out and be the focal point of the room. While they can initially be challenging to work with, with just a little ingenuity and imagination, your bay windows can transform the room they're in into a more elegant and inviting room.

Tips and Tricks for Measuring Windows

2011-06-15T07:08:00.001-07:00

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Features dozens of beautiful window treatments, including draperies, valances, shades, shutters, and blinds
Strategies for dressing up any window treatment with decorative rods, finials, trims, tassels, and tiebacks
Tips and tricks for measuring windows
Advice for choosing the right styles and fabrics to ensure privacy and climate control.

Bay windows can be a beautiful feature of your room; this takes the appearance of your room to a new level. As bay windows are something different, the bay window treatments also need different considerations and care.
Be creative while using the curtains. You can add a stage effect in your bay window treatment by putting a par of curtains across the front of your bay window; the draperies can be pulled to each side to add the stage effect to your bay window. This can also reveal the artistic look of your room. Differently, you can use separate rod in the sides of the bay window, each having a pair of curtains. The curtains can be left tied and you can fit a bamboo blind to add more impact to it. See how easy it is to make it look different?

As the bay windows have a unique configuration, bay window treatment can require different types of curtains. Often finding a suitable curtain or blind for bay windows is quite difficult. You can consider buying three different sets of rods and curtains to cover the bay window. To create a shade, most of the people use curtains.

Bay Windows and Shutters

2011-06-14T12:53:00.001-07:00

Ready made curtains just won't cut it for bay windows.
You can't just go and buy ready made curtains or shutters. You will have to have them custom made, and how much is that going to cost. A lot I can tell you, that is if you don't do your homework.

Decision time curtains or shutters

So the first decision is will it be curtains or shutters. Bay Windows can look really good with custom made curtains or shutters. They look smart and work really well when there is furniture to both sides of the window leaving little or no room to hang curtains. Maybe there is a window seat fitted. If this is the case then shutters are a really good way to dress your bay window. If your bay windows is nice and clear all around then curtains are a good way to go. Especially long to the floor curtains. Long curtains really dress a window and give a touch of luxury. They also make the room feel warmer in the winter.

Measuring for curtains

You need to take a lot of care when measuring curtains to fit a bay window. If you get it wrong then the curtains will go straight in to the bin. Very often they cannot be altered. Especially if they are to narrow or short.
When you are measuring for custom curtains then remember to leave a gap of around an inch between the curtains.
A little tip I find useful is to add an extra half inch to the drop (length) measurement. So adding it on now means it's more likely to fit spot on once made

Measuring for curtains in a bay window

This is a tricky one so pay attention.
The fashion recently has been to fit decorative bay window rods. My favorite way of dressing a bay is to fit top boards. These are simply 6 inch by 1 inch timber boards. You fit them over your window on brackets just like fitting a shelf.
Then hang curtains from the underside of the boards on a curtain track. Then finally cover the top board with a fabric covered pelmet or Cornice. They can be made in all shapes and sizes and look ultra modern or traditional.
So the steps to fitting curtains in a bay window are:
1. Cut and fit the top boards in the bay over the windows.
2. Then measure the width and take the drop (length) measurement from the track to the floor.
3. Then measure the leading edges of the top boards for making a pelmet/ cornice.
So you now have all the sizes you need for making the curtains and top treatment. The next step would
be to choose your fabric and get them made

Window Shutters On A Budget

While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood window shutters, sometimes they are still too expensive for certain applications. Some alternatives - including poly or vinyl shutters - are less expensive but also much less attractive. For a high-quality solution at a lower cost, look for a company that sells individual solid wood shutter panels that can be installed in any configuration.
When shopping for individual shutter panels, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The most important factor is the material used to make the interior shutter panels. Basswood has the best characteristics for window shutters because it is a very straight hard wood with little distortion. Basswood also has a fine, uniform texture and indistinct grain, which make it superior for staining or painting. You should also look for a company that can make a large number of panel sizes so you can receive the best final fit for your window.
How To Determine Individual Panel Sizes to Order
It is best to determine how you will mount your shutters before ordering the shutter panels. Sometimes it is necessary to use hanging strips to attach shutters to the outside of the window opening. A reputable company will provide information about different installation methods so you can determine how best to install on a specific window.
Width:
Measure the width of the area you want the shutters to cover (NOT including any trim strips).
1. Divide this width by the number of panels you want across the window. This will give you the approximate width of each panel. Round this measurement up to the nearest 1/4 inch.
Example:
Width = 36-7/16"
Divide by 4 and round up to nearest 1/4"
Order (4) shutter panels 9-1/4" wide
Height:
Up to 1" may be trimmed off the top and the bottom of each individual panel (a total of 2" per panel).
1. For a two tier unit (panels across the top and bottom), combine individual panel heights as required.
Finishing
A high-quality wood shutter panel can be painted or stained to a beautiful finish. Even if the shutters arrive and seem fairly smooth, a light sanding is advised before beginning the finishing process. After sanding and brushing off any dust, primer and paint can be applied. Often a more smooth finish is achieved by spraying the primer and paint, although the use of a high-quality brush can also result in a nice finish. When staining, follow the instructions given by the stain manufacturer. The stain manufacturer may recommend applying a wood conditioner before staining in order to ensure even stain color penetration.
Once your shutters are finished and installed, you will have a high-quality product that will increase the value of your home at a fraction of the cost of custom-made shutters