In modern architectural design of residential buildings, the bay window is especially popular. As a protruding element of the facade, it can have a semicircular or multifaceted shape, which turns it into an original component of design solutions. The non-standard shape of the bay window requires a comprehensively thought-out approach to its design. Of great importance for a competent solution to this problem are curtains that can preserve the functionality of the window and at the same time give the room comfort and coziness.
Features of the
The bay window has a special design that combines several windows into a single glazed space. Due to this, the visual effect of increasing the area of the room is provided, which cannot but influence the decision making when choosing curtains for the bay window.
The structural specificity of such a window also determines the structural features of the drapery, in accordance with which bay window curtains are divided into a number of types:
Roman curtains They are distinguished by universal functionality and rich design possibilities, since they are securely fixed, regardless of position. They are also attracted by the lack of restrictive style solutions for them
French curtains usually used to decorate a large bright room. Since they are distinguished by numerous scallops and folds, with their help it is convenient to shade the sunny part of the room, turning the drapery into an interesting element of the decorative interior
For Austrian curtainsstriking with their status heavy folds, the most suitable premises are the living room and the hall, to which they give a festive solemnity
Japanese bay window curtains, performed in the style of minimalism, are good in that they do not reduce the natural illumination of the room and at the same time are practically devoid of the effect of reducing its free space
For different rooms
The specific characteristics of the bay window greatly expand the possibilities of its use. Due to its functional advantages, it allows, with the help of a drapery style solution, to introduce an element of a unique design decor into the hall, kitchen, bedroom, children's room, etc.
The presence of bay windows in the apartment also gives the owner the opportunity to re-equip the available space in accordance with their needs. So, in the living room, the bay window can work as a cozy light office. A bay window will be no less successful find for the dining room: it can easily be turned into a separate dining area.
To choose the right bay window curtains, you need to consider:
- the area they occupy;
- general purpose and style of the premises;
- the geometric shape of the window opening;
- view opening from the window.
You should know that when choosing a curtain design, it is most difficult to make the right decision, taking into account the specifics of the shape of the bay window. So, in accordance with the general rules for a rounded bay window, the curtain is made from a single canvas. In the presence of two or more windows, each of them is decorated with a separate canvas, while all available canvases are combined into a single style ensemble.
Different rooms, depending on their functional purpose, need different types of curtains covering the bay window.
Currently for decorating a bay window in the living room or hall there are several tricks. So, experts prefer luxurious Austrian-style drapery, if the bay window is not planned to be considered as an autonomous living area. If full isolation of the bay window area is expected in the living room, designers usually recommend using a heavy curtain (for example, from tapestry) for this purpose. If partial insulation of the window is planned, then the choice falls on a light, unobtrusive curtain made of threads.
A large bay window draped with French curtains, festoons and folds of which accentuate the lightness of the furnishings, looks spectacular in the bright living room. In a spacious living room, classic models always look elegant, especially in combination with the airiness of tulle.
For decorating a bay window in the bedroom there are special rules that apply to the recreation area. In accordance with them, Roman or French curtains made of heavy materials are usually chosen for the bedroom. Alternatively, you can choose multi-layer curtains.
Window decoration is quite complicated in the dining room or kitchen. This is due to the fact that in this case, the bay window can carry different functional loads. If the bay window is used as a working area, experts advise to arrange the window with roll-up water-repellent curtains that reach the window sill.
If the kitchen (or dining room) is small, then the bay window should be designed taking into account the general style solution chosen for the room. In the spacious dining room, the bay window can be decorated with spectacularly flowing curtains in combination with light translucent curtains. The main thing is not to violate the style and color harmony of the room.
Colors
To stylistically correctly design a bay window, you need to rely on the principle of harmony. This means that the curtains must organically fit into the overall stylistic concept of the room (be it a living room, a nursery or an office) both in terms of design and in terms of their color scheme.
- If the living room is overloaded with pieces of furniture and decorative accessories, then the curtains should neutralize this kind of stylistic imbalance due to their calm color palette and the corresponding texture.
- If the room is spacious enough and allows you to resort to zoning, curtains should accentuate this technique with their own color scheme. At the same time, it is important to remember that curtains, introducing an original element of decor into the room, should in no case reduce its functionality and enter into disharmony with the overall color palette.
- In a small room, the color scheme of the curtains performs a different function. It should be borne in mind that the area occupied by the bay window can be visually increased if curtains made of matching fabrics, but differing both in color and texture, are used for its design.
You need to be especially careful when choosing curtains for a room with a narrow functional orientation. So, for the bedroom, the priority is light, calm tones that tune in to relaxation, and muted shades of blue, gray, green and brown are considered the most suitable.
Materials (edit)
For curtains on a bay window, you can use a variety of materials, the choice of which is due to the specifics of the room and the window itself.
For a formal living room curtains and veils in various combinations are good. Designers often recommend decorating the window in the bedroom with multilayer thin curtains (for which chiffon is ideal) and dense, discreet curtains
For bedroomlocated on the south side, Roman blinds (in particular, Roman blinds) are often chosen, which are well complemented by opaque satin or silk curtains in calm colors
How to choose?
Experts advise to choose curtains based on the functional purpose of the room, the structural specifics of the window itself (that is, taking into account whether the bay window consists of two windows or three windows of one size or another), the design solutions of the room, and the features of its furnishing.
So, if a bay window is formed by 3 windows in the room, you should be prepared for the fact that for its drapery you will need to purchase a large amount of fabric, and to achieve the greatest effect, it is diverse both in texture and tone.
The most difficult problem of selecting curtains for bay windows is for owners of suburban housing. As you know, in country houses with variable layouts and original design solutions, it is impossible to rely on standard solutions when decorating rooms. Therefore, experts usually recommend the owners of country houses to use the author's sketches for drapery of bay windows of various designs.
At the same time, it should be noted that residents of typical high-rise buildings, in which there are apartments with a half-window, that is, with a truncated version of the bay window, may also face the need to make atypical decisions. A room equipped with a half-window is very functional: it can be used as an office, sitting area or dining area, and its obvious advantage will be improved illumination. To emphasize the effect of a half-window space, light horizontal blinds and short curtains will be very effective.
How to hang?
To properly hang the curtains on the bay window, you need to choose the right curtain rods that match the design of the curtains and harmoniously fit into the style of the room. So, marketers note that aluminum curtain rods, which are in high demand today, are optimal precisely for a window in a kitchen or dining room. Light curtains that freely transmit light look harmonious on such cornices.
In general, it should be noted that for the correct design of the bay window, the curtains must be hung so that they, together with the cornice, form a single style ensemble.
When thinking about how to hang curtains on a bay window or half-window window, it should be remembered that at the moment there are no universal rules governing this process. Therefore, in any case, the decision is made by the landlord in accordance with his style tastes and design preferences.
Design options
There are a great many options for draping the bay window. If you know the basic rules for correctly zoning living space, choosing textiles and designs for curtains, as well as appropriate cornices, then you will be able to achieve the desired result.
If you doubt your ability to cope with this multifaceted task on your own, the best solution would be to contact a specialist.
Today, bay windows in all the variety of their design solutions are increasingly used to decorate both apartments and country houses. Their growing popularity is associated not only with their inherent elegance and diversity, but also with their unique ability to evoke in a person a sense of unlimited freedom and unity with the outside world. The non-standard nature of the bay window, which gives each of us true pleasure, should undoubtedly be complemented by the original solution of curtains selected for its decoration.
For more design ideas for bay windows with curtains, see the next video.