Bay Window Roman Shades: Top Tips to Blend Form with Function

We adore our bay windows—until it’s time to dress them! Their sharp corners, quirky proportions, and built-in nooks leave even seasoned decorators in a tangle. And yet, it isn’t enough to just tame the geometry; your choice of dressing should also rise to the bay’s architectural splendor. And that’s where bay window roman shades step in to deliver true window couture by—

• Bringing a sense of quiet luxury, delivering the precision of perfect-fit blinds with tailored fabric folds, not the blandness of plastic slats and flat sheets. 

• Adding personality, layering in color, pattern and texture, stamping the bay with a touch of your own bespoke style.

• Dressing each window separately, and saving you the headache of foraging for specialty hardware that bends with precision at the angled corners.

• Stopping at sill-length, a godsend for bays with integrated seating, where floor-sweeping drapes are impractical and short curtains look too casual.

• Doubling up as valances when folded up, loyally fulfilling their aesthetic role even while on a break from their functional responsibilities.

A bay window is already a statement; custom roman shades refine it into a masterpiece, threading the line between structure and softness. If that’s the kind of elegance you’re after for your bay, read on, as we share styling tips for those perfect bay window roman shades that steal the show, while sparing you the design gymnastics.

Texture, Lustre & the Play of Light: Choose the Right Fabric Material & Lining

With their angled walls and sunbathed charm, bay windows become focal points in their own right. Roman shades can do more to highlight their captivating beauty, and this feat starts with the selection of a suitable fabric and lining. Keep these three aspects in mind when making your choices:

COMPOSITION: Discern what suits your bay best—the razzle-dazzle of lustre or the soft-spoken allure of texture, when you set out to choose the fabric. A heritage home’s finely detailed bay may call for the stateliness of silk roman shades. A coastal retreat finds its best match in breezy linen blinds, bringing textural warmth to every sunlit frame. And, the modern home that revels in clean lines and quiet sophistication is best complemented by the crisp folds of cotton roman shades. 

OPACITY: The bay is designed to draw in more light through its angular windows and ceiling-high panes, making it necessary to choose a fabric that tailors that beautiful golden light to your space’s requirements. So, depending on your goals, choose semi-sheer or sheer fabrics for a gentle diffusion of light, and non-sheer fabrics for effective light blocking. 

LINING: Since angled panes capture plenty of daylight, the lining’s role becomes prominent in protecting the roman shades from sun damage. Sheer roman shades are exceptions, of course, as you can only benefit from their transparency if they’re left unlined. However, where light control is sought on a more substantial level, consider adding privacy lining. And, if your bay window is located in a bedroom or nursery, blackout lining will help to create the perfect cocoon for blissful sleep.

Designing with Intention: Let Palette & Pattern Tell your Design Story

Colors and patterns do more than just bring vibrance. They can elevate a simple roman shade into a pièce de résistance, a feat well-deserved by an architectural marvel like a bay window. With artful details, bold colors, and tonal contrasts, roman shades can make the bay a head-turner. However, if you’d rather let the architecture speak for itself, take a composed approach of low-contrast patterns and mellow hues.

Further, use your roman shades to exhibit your aesthetic. Think sinuous damasks for classical flair, abstract prints for a modern edge, and demure florals for a touch of French country style decor. If your room is already visually heavy, or if you shy away from pattern play, consider slim striped shades or tone-on-tone prints that are soft on the eye. Or, opt for plain roman shades and don’t miss out on the potential of a luscious texture to add subtle visual enrichment.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Damask Roman Shades | Floral Roman Shades | Geometric Print Roman Shades

Contouring to Perfection: Pick the Most Suitable Fold Style 

Customization does not stop at choice of fabric and lining; at Sewn, you can choose the fold style for your bay window roman shades, too. We offer roman shades in three popular fold styles that cater to diverse tastes and settings. All the fold styles work well for bays, but how you use the space should be factored in when making the choice. 

If you anticipate operating your shades often according to the movement of light, our flat fold roman shades and plain fold roman shades featuring slats can meet the requirements of frequent usage with ease. Whereas, European relaxed roman shades - featuring a decorative scalloped bottom - require some manual assistance to form their folds neatly until they settle, and that makes them ideal for rooms where the window shades will be kept semi-open round the clock, needing operation less frequently.

For a detailed tour of each fold style, head to our Roman Shades Fold Style Guide and pick the one that can complement your chosen fabric and the overall decor of your space.

The Positioning Game: Mount the Shades Right

Roman shades can be mounted either within the window frame for a tailored fit or outside the window for added coverage. See our blog on Inside Mount Vs Outside Mount Roman Shades for a detailed comparison. As far as bay windows are concerned, what counts most is how the mounting position impacts light inflow and the overall aesthetic.

Inside-mounting position entails fitting the shade snug in the window frame, allowing intricate window trims to shine. Since the shades stack within the frame, this position slightly compromises the window’s capacity to draw light. However, it comes in handy for bays with window seats below to keep the treatment tucked away within the frames, saving every inch of space for comfortable seating.

The outside-mount position opens the possibility to affix the shades a few inches above the window, such that they stack on the wall, not on the panes. This position is ideal for a narrow bay where incoming light has to be maximized or for a low-ceiling bay where you wish to add optical height.

TIP IN A PIC!

Be Mindful of the Recess Space Available

Hardware for Sewn’s roman shades needs a minimum of two inches of flat, drillable surface to be mounted securely. If your window frame/recess is too shallow and does not offer this, inside-mounting a shade will not be viable. In these settings, outside-mounted shades become your default saviors.

Shaping the Coverage: Determine the Number of Blinds

‘How many shades should a bay window have?’ is an oft-repeated question, and the answer depends on the architectural details  and the size of the window — 

• A shade for each window pane works best for a bay featuring standard-sized or wide panes. It keeps the weight of the shades manageable, ensuring smooth operation and enhanced longevity. And, it offers a versatile arrangement for light control and privacy compared to multiple windows getting covered with a single sweeping shade. 

• A shade for each wall is perfect if your bay features multiple narrow panels on each wall. Here, no matter the number of panes, each wall gets dressed with one roman shade. 
  

Drama and Glamorama: Layer Roman Shades with Drapes

Sometimes, more truly is more, and especially so when it comes to bay windows. Here, layered window treatments complement the extravagance of architecture with the bling of design. That’s why roman shades and custom curtains are the celebrated pair of well-designed bay windows. 

The flowy silhouettes of drapes contrasted by the structural beauty of roman shades add depth and detail to the design. Those who like to mix colors and patterns or experiment with pairing various materials find layering the perfect opportunity for some bold touches. And, where a versatile arrangement for light control is desired, pairing sheer and non-sheer layers is the way to go.

Shades emphasize the structure of each window, and drapes accentuate the bay’s height. So, whether you make an adventurous design move or pick a purely function-led approach, layering shades with floor-length drapes will assuredly add a sense of stateliness to the space. If you wish for that drama, consider one of these combinations:

• Frame the bay with stationary curtain panels for a decorative touch, while shades cover the windows, fulfilling the functional roles. This is especially suitable for windows with radiators beneath, or seating or storage built into the alcove.

• Overtreat roman shades with full-coverage drapes for that extra insulation so essential in bedrooms and nurseries. 

• Dress each window with a shade and frame it with a pair of drapes. This method is most suitable when there is considerable wall surround for each window. Here, drapes typically cover the wall columns between the windows, bringing a sense of visual unity to a large bay that could otherwise easily lose its structural definition because of its spaced-out windows.

Shop Bay Window Roman Shades at Sewn

Bay windows are architectural gems that deserve the most thoughtfully designed couture. Here, window dressings must go beyond their functional roles and play to the magical allure of the angled windows and the enveloping golden light. That’s where roman shades score all their points, delivering both function and elegance with bespoke charm. Whether you crave a bold, jaw-dropping bayscape or a quiet frame for a breathtaking view, Sewn can deliver the rarest hues, the boldest prints, and the warmest textures that can bring your vision to life. So, get ready to explore our collection and find the finest roman shades (and drapes, if you’re layering) for your bay window today.