The Best Window Treatments for Bay Windows
BWS Marketing • December 4, 2020

Sometimes people think it is difficult to find window treatments for bay windows, but that is simply a myth! Bay windows are known for their unique construction and style that may pose a problem for some window treatment selections, but not all. Typically, a bay window will project outward from the home’s main walls. This creates an added space (or bay) within the room that is often used as a window seat area or a space for growing spectacular houseplants.

Actually, the structure of bay windows with their angled, multi-paned glass panels make for an exciting opportunity to increase the home’s exterior visual appeal and inspire distinct interior design ideas. Combine custom blinds and draperies or choose a modern solution such as motorized Roman Shades to transform a bay window area to fit your family’s needs.

4 Bay Window Treatments to Consider

One-of-a-kind layered treatments

Layered window treatments allow you to mix and match a variety of curtain styles to add more depth or texture to the room while also controlling light and improving the window’s insulating properties. There are so many ways to layer window treatments for a bay window, here we will suggest a few to consider:

  • Layer opaque drapes with sheer curtain panels – to control privacy at night and increase natural daylighting
  • Install wood blinds with curtains – obtain the maximum in light control blinds with the softness of pleated curtains
  • Pair a valance with pleated drapes – for a dramatic and look that features privacy, light control, and insulation

Layered window treatments are a popular choice for bay windows because you’ve essentially installed 2 or more window treatments that can be used in a combination of open or closed positions. If you’re using layered window treatments at a bay window, keep the patterns muted and the colors nuanced for a touch of elegance and style.

Go sheer and simple

Since many people opt to keep bay windows undressed, the easiest and quickest way to decorate these window sets is to simply hang panels of high-quality, curtain panels. Sheer or opaque curtain panels are perfect for bay windows because they allow filtered sunlight to gently glow within the room, creating a sense of peace and calm.

If you use your bay window area for lounging, reading, or an unobstructed view of your outdoor landscaping, choose sheer curtain panels in a soft and complementary interior color to create a modern and sleek style.

Create drama with draperies

Use your bay windows as a room focal point by installing luxury drapery panels the length of the window to the floor. Here you will have maximum privacy but can quickly have an open view with matching curtain tie-backs to hold drapes in place. Choose between hanging an individual curtain rod and drapes at each of the 3 windows or create a more tailored look with a curved rod made to fit your bay window’s dimensions.

Create the most drama in these areas with your choice of drapery materials from stunning fabrics like silk or metallics. Another option is to choose heavy and ornate draperies with beautiful stitching or classic patterns like Damask.

The clean lines of Roman Shades

Roman shades offer the best of two worlds, drapery-like materials and roller shade convenience. Roman Shades are the perfect window treatment for bay windows that also allow the homeowner to combine a traditional window treatment style with modern features. Today’s Roman Shades are available with insulating qualities, motorized operation, programmable presets , and reliable construction to ensure your investment lasts for many years.

If you have pets, children, or simply desire a streamlined and contemporary look, then Roman Shades are the best choice for bay windows. The beauty of Roman Shades for bay windows is that they fit either a relaxed and cozy decor or a more structured and formal interior.

For a wide selection of window treatments for bay windows, visit Just Blinds online today. Our handcrafted shades, shutters, drapes, and curtains are built to satisfy every style and every window for added beauty and performance.

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

June 18, 2025
When the mercury soars, never underestimate the power of blinds, shades, and other window treatments to keep your living space cool. With the techniques that follow, you can limit demand on your air conditioner, lower your energy bill, and maintain stunning aesthetics both inside and out. 1. Go For the Layered Look If you don't want blackout blinds that completely block out light and heat, consider layering your window treatments for the summer months. This is a great way to add depth and texture to your rooms while still maintaining a tight home envelope and limiting solar heat gains. Use wood or faux wood blinds to create a solid base layer. Then, add sheers and custom curtains to finish the look. Layering creates levels of flexibility and adaptability that single window treatments cannot match. You can close all three layers for maximum heat blocking, slant your blinds and close your sheers to let limited sunlight in, or open your drapes and your blinds and use your sheers for light filtering. 2. Beat the Heat With Outdoor Window Treatments Some of the best window treatments for blocking heat and light during the summer months belong on the outside of your home. If you haven't done so already, consider investing in shutters. Shutters can vastly improve the efficiency of your home while providing excellent UV ray protection. This will keep your flooring and furnishings from fading while offering a fair amount of skin protection. In addition to tightening home envelopes, shutters provide excellent noise reduction and offer added protection against the natural elements. With your shutters standing guard as your home's first defense, you'll still have one or more window treatments at the interior of the building during the next big heat wave. Outdoor Shades Work, Too If shutters aren't the right look for you, opt for lightweight, retractable shades. Installing outdoor shades gives you yet another way to safeguard your home from solar heat gains whenever temperatures spike. You can use outdoor shades with layered indoor window treatments to create an airtight space and reduce stress on your AC during the hottest portion of the day. Once the sun sets, you can easily draw them open. 3. Optimize Airflow According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five time more contaminated than outdoor air. Even though air conditioners and heat pumps filter the indoor air during operation, they don't extract volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other gaseous chemical contaminants. When the sun's out and you're running your air conditioner non-stop, all the contaminants introduced into your home by off-gassing building materials, cooking, room freshening sprays, and chemical-laden self-care products and cleaners remain trapped indoors. Blinds are great for optimizing airflow. When the sun sets, the mercury dives, and a cool breeze rolls in, you can turn your blind slats upwards to reflect light from the setting sun and slightly crack your windows. This technique works well for giving ACs an early evening break. It's also an excellent strategy for improving indoor air quality (IAQ). As natural light decreases, you can open your blind slats wider and let more fresh, outdoor air flow in. This easy air exchange will get your home and your IAQ ready for the challenges of the next sweltering day. 4. Keep Indoor Moisture in Check With Shades With a high-functioning air conditioner or heat pump, you'll get reliable humidity regulation whenever your cooling system is on. The right shades can support this by keeping outdoor moisture outside and preventing the buildup of condensation on your windows. Cellular shades are made for high-moisture areas, and they're the perfect addition to any other southern home. You can get similar benefits from faux wood blinds, vinyl blinds, and aluminum blinds. Moisture-resistant blinds or shades are an essential upgrade if you currently have heavy fabric drapes or multiple layers of sheers. Some materials capture and retain moisture. They're also prone to problems like mold and mildew and can lower IAQ as a result. 5. Go Motorized Don't worry about dragging your ladder out to draw your outdoor shades or running through your home to manually adjust your blinds. Shop for motorized window treatments that you can open, close, and adjust with just the touch of a button. This way, as lighting and temperatures change, you can quickly adapt your window treatments to reflect your most current needs. At Just Blinds, we're all about comfort. We want your window treatments to look amazing, but believe that you should feel amazing too. We offer a fantastic selection of blinds, shutters, shades, and custom draperies to help our clients beat the heat in the summer months . Let us help you stay cool in style. To speak with our design consultants, contact Just Blinds today!
May 29, 2025
Windows give a home warmth, light, and a view of the outside world. But with the right treatments, you can also use your windows to make your home feel cozy. Coziness is a semse of comfort and familiarity. It defines a charm that feels like home, whether it's the coziness of a warm room in winter, your movie den in the summer. When we think of coziness, we often think of couches, candles, and throw blankets. But your windows play an equally important part. After all, it's your window treatments that frame the light, add softness to your walls, and set the mood for every room. The right window decorations can make your home feel warm and inviting. Using Windows, Drapes, and Shades to Create Coziness  Window treatements create a vibe for your entire room. Drapes, shades, and shutters can be used to create a backdrop of texture, color, and style. They also allow you to control the light levels in your home and even the color of the light. This means that your windows are the best place to start when making a room feel cozy. Layering soft drapes in rich colors is a great way to add that sense of comfort and warmth to a room, while cheerful blinds in soft neutrals can help a room to feel relaxed and welcoming. You can also use drapes or blinds to add a splash of color as a bold accent in any room. These touches combined with glowing sunshine during the day create a cozy and comfortable space. Plants as Cozy Window Decor You can use other types of decor to evoke a sense of coziness, too. We particularly love plants. Leafy green plants love the sunshine as much as you do and thrive when placed in a sunny window. Place an elegant snake plant in the windowsill or hang creeping ivy from a hook near the top of a window frame to make your room feel cheerful and alive with green energy. Plants make a home feel natural and vibrantly lived-in which is perfect for your cozy vibe. For a cozy kitchen, you can even grow fresh herbs in a box on the windowsill that add a delicious aroma and tasty fresh seasoning along with their natural visual appeal. Enhance Your Space with Aromatherapy Speaking of aromatics, you might be surprised how much your windows can take part in cozy aromatherapy. Window treatments like drapes and blinds are fabric that can help purfumes and essential oils linger in the room for days. Cozy scents are often warm aromas like cinnamon, vanilla, lavender, almonds, and coffee. But fresh fruit or floral scents that smell like "home" to you can also add a sense of coziness to each room. Simply spritz your curtains with your favorite scents and each room will subtly carry that comforting smell of home that makes you want to snuggle into the couch and relax at the end of each day. Moody Shade and Maximizing Light When we visualize coziness, light levels often play a role. Your minds eye may see a sun-drenched cottage or a gently lit library as your mental idea of a room that is perfectly cozy. Window treatments allow you to set the mood by reducing or maximizing light to the perfect levels. Well-designed shades and drapes can pull back attractively to maximize light, bathing your room in the warm welcoming glow of sunshine. Or if you prefer a more relaxed coziness, you can use translucent drapes or cellular shades to filter the light exactly the right amount. Diffuse and reduced light filtered through fabric of a warm color can make you feel safe and at peace. Increase Your Happiness with Window Design Your home should feel welcoming, relaxing, and cozy. The right window treatments can help set the stage for a delightful welcome home each night, rejuvinating weekends, and an overall feeling of at-home coziness when you are relaxing in your favorite place. To achieve this goal, you can experiment with home decor changes, including your windows, to achieve your ideal at-home bliss. Contact us today for custom drapes and blinds to complete your cozy room design.