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The Ultimate Guide to Blinds for Bay Windows

Ashley Dennis | 10 Sep 2022 | Window Treatments

Few things brand a room look equally polished every bit a well dressed bay window. But ordering blinds for these angular spaces can be a bit intimidating. Today, we're going to walk y'all through everything you need to know to make roofing these windows surprisingly easy.

midcentury modern living room with bay window and woven wood shades.

Pictured: Blinds.com Cordless Woven Wood Shades in Ashbury Camel. Photo via @rmahtani.

What Are Bay Windows?

Bay windows are a fix of windows that bending toward each other in a curve. These windows also oftentimes project out from the wall of your business firm. A bay window unremarkably includes at least 3 windows (2 angled side windows, and 1 picture window in the center).

an uncovered bay window looking out towards the street

Measuring Bay Windows For Blinds or Shades

The configuration of your bay window will make up one's mind what kind of measuring challenges you encounter. The ii most pop types of bay windows are Traditional and Separated.

Traditional bay windows have sections that are separated only by a thin casing or trim. Sometimes the glass may even touch in the corners. The angle of the windows and how close they are to each other creates a "depth" issue.

Tall bay window covered with woven wood shades.

Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Wood Shades in Natural Weave Bleached. Photograph via @lillianandkatellc.

Depth refers to how much space at that place is within your window's opening from front to back. In traditional a bay window, if there is not enough depth then the blind headrails tin can crash-land into each other in the corners.

A tape measure held against a window to measure it's depth from front to back.

Separated bay windows usually have thick sections of wall between each window that pushes the windows farther apart from each other. These windows have a smaller chance of having blinds that intersect and are much simpler to measure.

Now that you know your bay window's type, bank check out our Complete Guide To Measuring For Bay Window Blinds for step by step instructions!

The Best Window Treatments For Bay Windows

Some window treatments are amend suited for the special needs of a Bay Window than others. More often than not, it is best to select a bay window bullheaded or shade that has a very modest depth requirement.

Additionally, if your windows are not very alpine, you lot may also want to consider how much of your view the blind volition block when fully raised (referred to every bit stack height).

Cellular Shades

Cell shades or honeycomb shades often have the smallest depth requirements of any blind or shade. The Blinds.com Premium Coma or Low-cal Filtering Cellular Shades have a total headrail depth that takes up simply ane seven/8" with a single jail cell fabric, so they are perfect for shallow spaces.

bay window in an empty room that is covered with pale gold cellular shades.

Pictured: Blinds.com Premium Light Filtering Cellular Shade in Pale Gold.

When fully raised, cellular shades practically disappear! The accordion pleated fabric folds upwardly then tightly the shade only take up a few inches of space in your window. They will besides protrude away from the wall or window minimally which gives you ameliorate low-cal command.

Bay window over a window seat and covered with gray cellular shades.

Pictured: Bali Low-cal Filtering Cellular Shade in Luxe Medium Pewter.

Cellular shades are also ultra-insulating, free energy efficient, and come up in a wide variety of colors. Some are fifty-fifty made from recycled plastic water bottles! Almost cellular shades are white on the back, and so you can be sure they won't interfere with your home's artful (or your HOA requirements) from the outside.

Mini Blinds

If you're looking for a bay window bullheaded that can tilt open or closed to control light, and so mini blinds are a great option. The Blinds.com 1" mini blind needs only 1 1/2" depth to fit the full headrail in your window opening. The aluminum alloy slats are durable enough to resist dents and scratches.

a bay window office nook with mini blinds over the windows.

Pictured: Blinds.com 1" mini blind in color Char Dark-brown.

Mini blinds are available in many popular and trendy colors. They're too super affordable, making them a great selection for first time home buyers or renters.

1" Wood Blinds

1" Woods Blinds are the the stylish cousin to aluminum mini blinds. These blinds are lightweight compared to faux wood blind. The narrow 1" slat means they also crave less depth than the standard two" or ii 1/2" woods blind.

contemporary living room arm chair next to a bay window with white 1

Pictured: Bali one" Northern Heights Wood Bullheaded in Winter.

While these do have a bigger stack elevation than cellular shades, the variety of pigment finishes and stains add a touch of elegance to a room and can complement and trim or wood accents in a room.

i" Imitation Wood Blinds

You can get the sophisticated look of real wood without the upkeep of existent forest blinds. The i" Faux Woods Blind'southward PVC structure makes it an ideal option for damp or humid spaces like bathrooms.

living room with wall of windows covered by 1

The Blinds.com 1" Faux Woods Blind (pictured in a higher place in color Chestnut) has a slimmer profile than standard fake wood blinds. Information technology needs just two 3/4" of space for the full headrail depth. But the slats are on the thicker side, and then they will take up more than of your window's vertical space when fully raised. Have this into consideration if your windows are non super tall.

close up photo of 1

Pictured: Blinds.com 1" Faux Wood Blind in RealGrain Cinnamon.

Roman Shades

Roman Shades can give your windows the texture and fashion you're looking for from a roller shade merely without big light gaps at the sides. They are super easy to install and usually require less depth than roller shades.

dining room table near a set of bay windows covered with roman shades.

Pictured: Levolor Roman Shades in Lattice Mint with a apartment fold manner. Photo by @capassointeriors.

Plus there are endless options to cull from. Roman shades come in tons of colors and patterns then they can work with every aesthetic. Choose a flat fold manner for a more modern, sleek wait or a hobbled fold for an elegant, traditional look. You add a liner for your preferred level of light control (light filtering or blackout) or cull a thermal liner for add insulation!

Woven Wood Shades

Woven woods shades are a cousin to Roman Shades and offer a variety of textured grass weaves and woods reed styles. They have similar depth requirements to Roman Shades and are every bit easy to install.

a large bay window in a dining room that is covered with woven wood shades.

Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Woods Shades in Antigua Natural. Photo past @jamiefinkinteriors.

Window Treatments That Are Not Ideal For Bay Windows

While most window treatments tin can be configured to work with bay windows, some are more difficult to make work. Shutters and roller shades accept unique considerations and are typically not recommended for bay windows.

Shutters are gorgeous, merely they require the virtually depth of any window handling considering of the infinite the louvers need to tilt. In a cramped space like a bay window alcove, you may not have enough room to open the shutter door panels. Consider choosing a fake wood or existent wood blind for a similarly archetype await.

bathroom bay window over freestanding tub with shutters over the windows.

Pictured: Blinds.com Composite Shutter in Snow.

Roller shades have the largest light gaps of any window treatment because the fabric will always demand to exist more than narrow than the roller and end mechanisms (1/2" to three/four" each side). The angles on bay windows are already prone to light gaps. Installing a roller shade may exaggerate this effect. Instead of Roller Shades, nosotros recommend roman shades.

a close up of a roller shade showing the light gap on an inside mount.

Pictured: Blinds.com Premium Light Filtering Roller Shade in Cirque Glacier.

Want An Expert's Aid?

Nosotros've got you covered! Requite one of our expert Blueprint Consultants a phone call: 844-551-3769. They can help answer all your questions and walk you through the measuring procedure. Desire a professional to come out and measure out your windows? Nosotros tin can do that too! Check your zip code's availability hither.

Read More:

What's The Difference between Inside and Outside Mount?

Exercise I Have Enough Window Depth For My Blinds?

The Consummate Guide To Measuring For Bay Windows

When To Hire A Pro VS DIY For Window Treatments

  • About Author

    Ashley is a Blinds.com Social Media Specialist. A weekend-warrior, she and her husband spend their time fixing upwards their townhome together. She is an artist and DIY craft fanatic who has converted her dining room into a tiny studio where she hangs out with her two assistant-cats. Sci-fi books, video games and hula hooping are as well her jam. Follow her on Instagram @Adenn.fob or Youtube.

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