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7 Ways to Style Your Bay and Bow Windows

5 min read

A bay or bow window brings a beautiful architectural element to the outside of your house, but have you thought about the benefits it brings to the inside of your home? You can create a relaxing get-away nook or a central showpiece in your living room or kitchen. If you’re torn on how to make the most of your bay or bow window, keep reading for ideas from our experts! 

What are Bay and Bow Windows?

Replacement Bow Window

These windows are attention-grabbing for a reason. They’re large, often a defining element on your home’s exterior. However, bay and bow windows each have their own distinct shape:

1. Dress Them Up with Window Treatments

With the amount of glass space that bay and bow windows offer, plenty of sunlight will pour into your home throughout the day. While natural light is more than welcome most of the time, having curtains or blinds you can draw down at night or for privacy is a good idea. Beyond practicality, though, these curtains present an opportunity to show off your aesthetic tastes. Whether you choose heavy, dramatic floor-length curtains or more airy sheers with blinds, your choice of window treatment reveals your personal style and complements the rest of the space. 

2. Nurture Your Love of Books with a Tiny Library

bay window in kitchen with seat

Whether your reading nook has books in under-the-seat storage, on a nearby bookcase or you keep a stack of favorites on the sill, adding a cushioned daybed or bench under your bay or bow window creates the perfect cozy spot to while away the hours in creativity. Go all in on creating a relaxing retreat by stacking a comfortable pillow or two with a blanket. If you have the space, a small side table adds functionality for holding a book or your drink. 

3. Treasure Your Plants with an Indoor Garden

For the green thumbs among us, it’s second nature to want a specific indoor space for plants that need extra TLC or to re-home outdoor plants like ferns during the chilly winter months. Bay and bow windows come with a small sill (though bay windowsills are a little deeper) perfect for placing sun-loving plants to soak up those rays. Creating your botanical haven can be as simple or ornate as you choose: you can place a few small planters on the sill for a subtle touch, or you can add ornamental planters or a series of low vertical planters below the window for a more dramatic way to bring your plants into focus. 

4. Make the Most of Mornings with a Breakfast Nook

Replacement Bay Window

Greet the day with a morning cup of coffee amidst plenty of beautiful natural light. Adding a small table and chairs to your bay or bow window gives you the perfect perch for breakfast with family or for an early-morning retreat for yourself. Airy curtains work well here, giving you privacy without sacrificing that morning sunlight. If you’re short on space, you could easily treat this space as your main dining area. Include four to six chairs around a round or oval table to make the most of your space. 

5. Create a Conversation Corner with Seating

If you love to host gatherings of friends and family, fostering opportunities for conversation throughout your home is a must. Bay and bow windows are the perfect place for a set of cozy armchairs and a small end table tucked between them. Add a small plant and a set of decorative books or a candle and you’ve created an effortless, comfortable space for bringing people together. 

6. Save Space with a Corner Home Office

corner office with wood-toned bay window

If you have a smaller home, you know exactly how important every square inch of space is. You’re likely using plenty of space-saving techniques to make the most of what you have, but that little bit of space a bay or bow window provides could be the perfect space to place your desk. You’ll have a small bump-out in which you can easily slot your desk, so you can enjoy beautiful outdoor views throughout your workday. 

7. Display Your Knick-Knacks in Sunlight

Whether you use that helpfully deep sill or set a console table in pride of place, bay windows are a naturally eye-catching part of your home. It’s the perfect place to show off souvenirs from your travels or treasured family heirlooms. Adding a set of fabric curtains sets these pieces off perfectly, especially if you leave them open most of the time. It’s basically a built-in display for your cherished objects! 

Exterior Enhancements

bay window with metal awning roof

Your bay or bow window will increase your home’s curb appeal with its striking appearance. If you want to match the effort you’ve put into styling your bay or bow window inside, though, there’s still plenty you can do on the exterior! 

Renovations You’ll Love with Window World

If your bay or bow window is older, you likely love the look but not the costly repairs or energy inefficiencies. Want an updated version of your home’s hallmark window? Window World of Central Alabama carries bay and bow windows in a variety of styles to suit your home and personal taste, ensuring a look you’ll love inside and out. Get in touch with us today for your free estimate