Five Guidelines for Choosing Window Treatments for Bay Windows

1. Dress each window separately. You may have one bay window, but dressing each piece separately will really highlight the architectural design of your window. It will also give you some flexibility. You may have harsh sunlight coming into one portion of the bay at a certain time of day. You can close just that window treatment and still enjoy the natural, less direct light coming in the other panels. 

2. Less is more. If your bay features decorative window moldings, you don't want to overshadow these with bulky window coverings. Traditional shades, tear drop Roman shades, Roman screen shades, or woven wood shades are great options. Shades will provide the privacy you need, but are almost unnoticeable when raised, allowing your bay window to show off its built-in architecture. You can choose from an assortment of fabrics, from exotic woven wood shades to luxurious soft sheers. 

Blinds will also provide the same seamless coverage. Faux wood blinds, or real hardwood or bass wood blinds can be matched to compliment the existing molding. Just because you go with minimal covering, though, doesn't mean you are losing out on energy-efficient options. Window treatments by Hunter Douglas offer numerous energy-efficient options that will help keep both your heating and cooling costs down. 

3. Mount inside the molding. Unlike windows in unison, bay window treatments are not designed to touch each other at the edges. Whether you are using blinds, shades or even shutters, they should be mounted inside the window molding. 

4. Give shutters a try. Not everyone wants the minimalist look of shades. But, they don't want the bulky look of drapes either. Shutters instantly transform a room. Both composite and real 

wood shutters add a rich feel. Many come in a variety of stains and colors, enabling you to customize your shutters to fit your style. 

Decorative frames and hand-carved top or bottom rails can add the perfect personalization to your shutters, your window and your room. 

Norman Window Fashions is a great option for shutters that really stand out. Their prestigious designs and materials are known for being the very best in the industry. 

5. Keep layering as an option. If you just love the look of drapes or valances, you can have the best of both worlds. Drapes and valances are often paired with shades, blinds and even shutters. A panel drape can easily be placed in between each bay panel when open. 

lf opting for a valance, keep No. 1 in mind. An individual valance on each individual bay window adds the perfect amount of style, while not distracting from your functional coverings or the beauty of the architecture. 

Love is Blinds offers a full selection of shades, shutters and blinds by trusted names in the business, including Hunter Douglas,  Kathy Ireland Horne by Alta, and Norman Window Fashions. Our professional staff will come to your home, listen to your needs and style preferences, and make recommendations. They'll bring samples, color selections, and creative thinking to help you make the perfect choice. We'll measure, order and install. 

All you have to do is sit back and enjoy your beautiful window coverings. Contact us to set up your free design consultation.