How should I decorate a large bay window in the main living room?

Question

I have a large bay window and I have no idea how to decorate it with window treatments. The window is in the main living room so it needs to be comfortable and not too formally decorated. There is a ledge that was designed for people to sit in, but currently it is not used for that. I would like to keep the window's sitting feature, but at the same time dress the window so it does not look so plain.

Answer 1

You could just get a blind, maybe silhouettes, so it just covers the windows themselves. Or you could do a drape, but only have it come to the sill or molding portion of the window. This way if you do decide to put pillows on there for sitting, you don't have to worry about the drape being pulled on.

Answer 2

depends on how you want to use it. My bay window I put lacy curtains that had valence attached straight across the front. Then drape them back when I have dining company.

I have my dining room table in front of window. Went to the fabric shop and bought vinyl table covering with enough to make cover for seat cushion (made pattern from newspaper first & made sure to include enough material for sides.
This made is nice to use the window seat for food instead of all on the table.

I have cushion & table covers for Spring/Summer, Winter and Fall - - all match.

You could still do the same but perhaps you would rather have curtains on inside & close to the windows.

Answer 3

I'm so jealous. Make it the focal point of the room. One idea would be to cushion the ledge with flat pillows, and drape the window with a light, gauzy romantic curtain. For colors and textures that suit your room and climate, get ideas from magazines and local shops.

Answer 4

1] frame the window so the drapes and valence go on the LR wall, not in the bay - you could have straight, or tie-back panels; or
2] frame the window, and have valences go around the top of the bay; or
3] frame as in #1, and just put some lace panels or valences inside the bay

Answer 5

Remove all your clothes and look outside from it.