Today, bay windows are associated with old houses. But they can also be found in modern apartment buildings.
This design is a protrusion on the facade of a building.
The bay window looks impressive on the outside of the house, but inside it sometimes turns into a headache for the apartment residents.
Such living rooms have their positive and negative sides.
As a rule, bay windows are made on the second and higher floors, but it is also not uncommon to see houses with bay windows on the lower floor.
What are the positive aspects of this interesting design?
- due to the bay window, the area of the apartment increases;
- the room is filled with additional light;
- beautiful view from the window due to large windows;
- with the help of a bay window you can create an interesting, unique room design;
Along with undeniable advantages, bay windows also have their disadvantages:
- in order to insulate the bay window, additional costs will be required;
- the intricate shape of the windows will require certain financial costs;
- In order for the bay window to fit perfectly into the interior of the room, you need to carefully consider its design.
A living room with a bay window automatically ceases to be boring and simple. A bay window gives room for imagination, and with its help you can create a place of privacy to work or relax in peace.
Even if the bay window is used as a separate area, it is important that its design is in harmony with the rest of the living room space.
The space in our apartments often does not allow us to create a separate workspace or place for privacy, while more and more work can be done remotely, without leaving home. The bay window will help you achieve:
- solving the problem of effective work within the walls of your apartment;
- find more time to communicate with family.
To decorate windows in a bay window, you need to consider what it will be intended for.
The workspace will be more comfortable if you install windows along the bay window, which start from the table level. In order for windows to fit perfectly into the space, they should be made to order in specialized companies.
To arrange the bay window space as ergonomically as possible, instead of a regular table, you can install a large window sill on which shelves for office supplies, as well as other things for work, will fit.
In addition, with your back to the main room, you can fully concentrate on your work without being distracted by what is happening around you. If, on the contrary, the view from the window is distracting, then the work chair is placed with its back to the window, and the table is made in a semicircle.
Technical nuances of a living room with a bay window
Thanks to the bay window, the facade of the house and the view of the room from the inside are transformed. This architectural element makes the room visually larger, brighter, more comfortable and beautiful.
Non-standard shapes are always better than the usual straight walls. If you have a house or apartment with a finished ledge, all that remains is to think about the design. However, a bay window can also be installed in a building where it was not provided. Suitable materials for construction: foam block, timber, brick.
The ledge is most often made in the living room, because it is the most versatile room. The most advantageous option is a semicircular bay window. It gives more free space.
There may not be a protrusion as such in the living room - there are rooms with bay windows. Such structures differ from conventional ones in that the elements do not adjoin each other at right angles. To create such compositions, special connectors are used.
Examples
There can be a lot of design options for this unusual interior element. Below are several photo examples demonstrating different designs, coatings and how the ceiling can be decorated in such a situation. They will help you decide on the most suitable material option for you, the appearance of the structure, as well as some other details, such as built-in lighting.
Living room with a bay window: design, features, photo examples
The design possibilities for a bay window vary depending on the type of room and its size. In a private house, it is easier to organize a large ledge where everything you want can fit. It’s more difficult with apartments, but you can implement interesting design projects there too.
When choosing a design, you should also take into account the shape of the protrusion. It can be semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rectangular. The smaller the niche, the more carefully you should arrange decorative items and furniture. It is important to prevent the space from becoming cluttered, because bay windows are created for precisely the opposite purpose - to increase the area of the room and “unload” the main part of the room.
Color solutions for different variations of bay window interior design.
| Zone assignment | Suitable shades |
| Game room | Pink, blue, lilac, purple, green |
| Cabinet | Red, grey, orange, brown, black |
| Lounge area, dining room, rest area | Beige, peach, blue, green, pink |
If the room with a bay window is very small, you don’t have to place furniture and accessories in the ledge niche. You just need to choose the right curtains and decorate the windows. This decor will look elegant and self-sufficient.
You can separate the bay window area from the main part of the room using fabric and plasterboard partitions. You will get an additional small room where you will always find privacy.
Living room design with bay window
Living room design with a semicircular bay window
Living room design with a rectangular bay window
Dining area
In modern layouts, the kitchen does not include a dining table with chairs. In apartments with a bay window, there is no need to allocate a separate room for the dining room. The bay window area will do an excellent job as an area for lunch/dinner. To create a cozy dining area, install narrow sofas with low backs. In the center of the bay window area there is a set - a dining table with chairs.
If there are a large number of guests, a great idea would be to move the table closer to the sofas and place all the chairs on the opposite side. It will also be convenient to place buffet tables in the bay window area on holidays/receptions.
Bay window interior and styles: looking for successful solutions
A living room with a bay window in a modern style is a godsend for those who love comfort and interesting combinations. There are many ways to unobtrusively incorporate elements of any direction into the decor of the protruding part. If you don’t yet know what design you like and what accessories to choose, look at the already implemented designs.
High tech
A minimum of furniture, monochromatic colors and severity are the distinctive features of the direction. The main goal of the high-tech style is to visually increase the area of the room. This is easy to do if you decorate the bay window area with the same materials as the room. Then the protrusion will not become a functional element, but simply part of the space.
Living room design with a bay window in high-tech style
Country
It is better to play up the country style in a bay window living room with the help of natural materials and color accents. Don’t forget about original furniture with typical patterns for the movement: checks, polka dots, circles. There should be no massive objects with flashy decor, provocative accents, or too bright colors.
Living room design with a bay window in country style
Loft
Brick, logs, slats, natural stone are materials that can be safely used in decorating the ledge area. The photo shows an example of a successful combination of all style trends at once. You can create something similar even in a small space.
Living room design with a bay window in loft style
Retro
Retro design in a room with a bay window is a combination of extravagant furniture and unique decor. In the niche area, you can install a sofa in the appropriate style, and decorate the walls with striped wallpaper, vinyl records, and framed photographs.
Living room design with a bay window in retro style
boho
Boho is a style where combinations of materials and decor that seem strange at first glance are acceptable. In the bay window you can place indoor plants, mirrors, a sofa or sofa with colored pillows, and a soft carpet.
Living room design with a bay window in boho style
Idea! It is not necessary to place frame furniture in a niche at all. With the help of large soft pillows, fabric bolsters and fluffy blankets, it's easy to create a cozy place to relax right on the floor.
Modern
In the Art Nouveau direction, furniture is very important. It should not be too pretentious and pompous - it is better to choose functional models with smooth curves. Preferred materials: wood and glass. The highlight of the style is stained glass windows. You can take advantage of this trend and decorate your bay window in a similar way.
Living room design with a bay window in Art Nouveau style
Minimalism
The name of the style speaks for itself - no unnecessary details or fancy items. Only furniture of laconic forms, one bright accent, the most simple wall decoration. For decoration, you can use items made from natural materials. Winning shades: gray, beige, light pink, brown, black.
Living room design with a bay window in a minimalist style
Provence
If the room has a French style, it is better to decorate a seating area in the bay window. As decoration, it is permissible to use light curtains with floral prints, elegant furniture, and living plants. You can hang paintings or photo panels on the walls.
Living room design with a bay window in Provence style
Cabinet
If it is not possible to allocate a room in the apartment for a separate office, then the bay window area is quite suitable for creating a workplace. It is enough to arrange a table, several bedside tables for papers, equipment, and you can do work at any time. To enjoy natural light longer, place the table closer to the window. It is recommended to install it so that the light falls from the left.
A wide window sill serving as a table top will look great in a modern style. It would be rational to use the space under the window sill/table to arrange cabinets. If you don’t want to arrange your office so seriously, then for infrequent working minutes you can put a coffee table and an armchair in the bay window area.
Arrangement of a bay window in the living room: secrets of designers
The first step is to create a design project that will reflect all your wishes. Then you can implement your ideas step by step and avoid mistakes. Professionals advise paying attention to the following points:
- Furnishings. Items placed in the living room should not block access to the bay window;
- Lighting. A room with a bay window should have a lot of light, despite the fact that the sun's rays penetrate through the large windows during the day. In the evening, without sconces, lamps and floor lamps, the original architectural element will turn into an uncomfortable dark corner;
- Finishing. Experiments are welcome, but you should not use radically different colors, styles, or materials in the interior of two parts of the room;
- Functionality. The bay window space is created with the goal of adding usable space. It is not advisable to place unnecessary items in this area and clutter the space.
If you have a large living room with a bay window, you can divide it into several zones. This does not contradict fashionable interior trends and is welcomed by lovers of studio spaces. The only condition is that it is important to adhere to the chosen style and correctly place accents.
Curtains in the bay window: choosing a key design element
Not everyone attaches utmost importance to window curtains. But in vain! It is the curtains that complete the stylistic ensemble of the design and create the completeness of the perception of the decor. A nuance - for a bay window in the living room, ordinary curtains that hang on other windows in your house are not suitable. Experienced designers shared the secrets of choosing a frame for a glazed space.
Requirements for curtains for a room with a bay window
Before you make your choice, it is important to understand what bay windows are. These are structures consisting of several elements connected to each other by a special pipe. They can be completely different in height and width, but they have a common quality - excellent throughput. In the daytime, this feature is an advantage, but in the early morning it is rather a disadvantage.
What kind of curtains should be that emphasize the advantages of bay windows and neutralize the disadvantages:
- Corresponding to the general design style. Curtains can be an accent, but too bold experiments will lead to serious mistakes in design;
- Moderately long. Short curtains are definitely not recommended for purchase - they will look strange and inappropriate in the design of a bay window living room;
- Dense and at the same time light. Heavy drapes are only good for certain styles. It is better to choose products made from flowing soft materials.
The color of the curtains should differ at least minimally from the design of the walls. If the tones are identical, the eye will perceive the space as a single whole. It is better to choose curtains that are a slightly darker shade than the paint or wallpaper.
The design of a living room with a bay window allows for the presence of decorative elements in the protrusion area. However, if you have purchased colorful curtains, do not burden the interior with massive objects and a lot of decorations.
Features of the cornice
Ideally, the cornice should match the shape of the bay window. It can be ceiling, wall, open, hidden, solid or composite. If the ledge has a non-standard configuration, cornices with connecting elements will help out. Such models are suitable for placing several pieces of fabric.
