Curtains for a bay window can hang on a bent track, a curved pole or several straight lengths, and the right choice depends on the shape of the bay and how you use the room. Most bays suit either one continuous run or a separate curtain for each window, with a Roman blind sometimes added inside.
What are the options for dressing a bay window?
A bay is really a short run of windows set at angles, so you can treat it as one window or as several. Each approach gives a different look and works differently day to day.
- One continuous run: a single track or pole follows the whole bay, with a pair of curtains that draw across it.
- Separate curtains: a pair at each end of the bay, and sometimes a curtain or blind for each window in between.
- Curtains outside, blind inside: curtains around the bay for warmth of colour and softness, with Roman blinds set into the window recesses.
Our made-to-measure curtains are made in our Howe Street workroom, and bays are a regular part of the work.
Should you choose a bent track or a curved pole?
Both can follow the line of the bay, so the curtains sit neatly around it instead of cutting across the corners. The difference is mostly in the look and in how the curtains move.
| Question | Curved track | Curved pole |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Slim, and often hidden behind the curtain heading | A visible feature, with rings and finials |
| Movement | Curtains glide along the curve | Rings slide along the pole |
| Suits | Pinch pleat and wave headings | Pinch pleat and eyelet headings |
| Fitting | Fixed to the ceiling or the wall | Fixed with brackets to the wall or the bay frame |
We supply and fit both. If you are weighing headings as well, our guide to curtain heading types explains how each one looks and behaves.
Is it better to have one pair of curtains or several?
One pair across the whole bay is the simplest look, and it makes the bay read as a single feature. It works well when you want the curtains to open fully and clear the glass.
Separate pairs make sense when the windows are used differently, for example when one of them is a door. They also let you close the curtains on one side and leave the rest of the bay open.
Whichever you choose, think about where the curtains will stack when they are open. Stack space decides how much glass you keep clear, so it is worth planning before the track or pole goes up.
Can you put Roman blinds in a bay window?
Yes. A Roman blind in each window recess is a tidy way to cover the glass when the curtains are open, and it keeps the shape of the bay visible. The curtains then act as a frame around the outside.
It helps to have the blinds and curtains designed together, so the fabrics, trims and headings suit each other. We make Roman blinds in our own workroom, and you can read about blinds for every window on our blinds page.
Do pelmets work with a bay?
A pelmet can hide the track or pole and give the whole bay a finished top line. It is especially useful where the curtains and blinds are different in height or heading.
Shaped and covered pelmets can follow the bay, either as one piece or as a section for each window. You can see the kind of work we do in our shaped and scalloped pelmets project.
What should you decide before the curtains are made?
A bay has more to plan than a flat window, so a short list of decisions helps. We suggest working through these before you choose a fabric.
- Decide whether the bay is one feature or a set of separate windows.
- Choose a track or a pole, and where it will be fixed.
- Choose a heading that suits the track or pole you have picked.
- Decide whether you want a Roman blind in the recesses as well.
- Plan where the curtains will stack when they are open.
Measuring a bay needs care, so we do not cover it here. Read our guide on how to measure for curtains and blinds, then send us rough sizes for a guide price.
Where can you see curtains in a bay?
Our curtains and Roman blinds for a new-build house with a pool include a bay, and you can see more curtains in our wider portfolio. If you are thinking about winter, our piece on thermal curtains may help you choose a lining.
Every pair is made to measure, so the price depends on the size of the window, the fabric and the heading.
