What Blinds Are Best for Bay Windows?

Roman Blinds – Soft Style That Follows the Bay

Roman blinds are a popular choice for bay windows where a softer, more decorative finish is preferred. When fitted individually to each section of the bay, Roman blinds allow the shape of the window to flow naturally, rather than flattening or cutting across it.

They work particularly well in living rooms and bedrooms, adding warmth and texture while still providing practical light control. Because Roman blinds stack neatly when raised, they help maintain the openness of the bay during the day, while offering privacy and comfort in the evening.

Careful planning is important, especially in tighter bays, to ensure the blinds operate independently without clashing at the corners.

Works Well for Bay Windows Where:

• You want a softer, more decorative look

• The bay is made up of individual window sections

• Maintaining the shape of the bay is important

• Curtains may feel too heavy or intrusive

• Light control and privacy are needed without a rigid appearance

Venetian Blinds – Flexible Light Control for Angled Bay Windows

Venetian blinds are a practical and versatile option for many bay windows, particularly where precise light control and privacy are important.

Their adjustable slats allow you to control sunlight throughout the day without fully raising the blind, which is especially useful in front-facing bays or rooms overlooked by neighbouring properties.

Venetians blinds can be fitted neatly within each section of a bay window, allowing the blinds to follow the shape of the bay rather than cutting across it. This makes them suitable for splay bays, square bays and some curved bays, depending on the window layout and fixing depth.

Venetian blinds are often a strong middle ground for bay windows – more flexible than many fabric blinds, yet more structured than soft window dressings.

When measured and fitted correctly, they can deliver excellent day-to-day comfort and control.

Works Well in Bay Windows Where:

• The bay has angled or straight sections rather than a continuous curve

• You want control over glare without blocking natural light

• Privacy is needed during the day without fully closing the window covering

• A clean, structured look suits the room

• The bay window is used daily and needs a practical solution

Plantation Shutters – Tailored Solutions for Bay Windows

Plantation shutters are one of the most effective and visually striking options for bay windows. Because they are made to measure, shutters are designed to follow the angles or curves of the bay rather than cutting across it, preserving the shape of the window.

Their adjustable louvres allow you to control privacy and daylight independently, which is particularly useful in front-facing bay windows. You can maintain privacy at street level while still allowing natural light into the room, without needing to fully open or close the shutters.

Plantation shutters work well across many bay window types, including splay bays, square bays and curved bays, provided they are measured and planned correctly. In more complex bays, careful consideration of panel layout and hinge positions is essential to ensure smooth operation and a neat finish.

While shutters provide a strong architectural look on their own, they can also be layered with curtains to soften the overall appearance and add warmth to the space.

Works Well In Bay Windows Where:

• The bay window faces the street or neighbouring properties

• Privacy is needed without blocking daylight

• A clean, tailored finish is preferred

• The shape of the bay should remain visible

• Long-term durability and low maintenance are important

• Shutters are layered with curtains to soften the look and add warmth

Curtains – Softness, Flow and Flexibility for Bay Windows

Curtains are one of the most versatile and forgiving window dressing options for bay windows, particularly when the aim is to enhance the shape of the bay rather than break it up. When planned correctly, curtains follow the bay smoothly and add warmth, softness and visual balance to the space.

Unlike blinds that are fitted within each window section, curtains are typically installed on a shaped or bay curtain track that flows around the angles or curve of the bay. This allows the fabric to move freely across the entire window, helping the bay feel cohesive rather than segmented.

Curtains work especially well in living rooms, bedrooms and dining spaces where comfort, acoustics and style are just as important as light control. Tailor-made curtains are often the finishing layer that completes a bay window, even when another window covering is doing the practical work underneath.

Curtain Headings, Tracks and Poles in Bay Windows

The curtain heading and how the curtains are supported play a crucial role in how well curtains work in a bay window.

In most cases, curtain tracks are the preferred option. Tracks can be shaped to follow curves or angles, mitred neatly at corners and fixed close to the ceiling or within the bay recess. This allows curtains to move smoothly around the bay and stack back neatly when open.

Curtain poles are more limited in bay windows. Although specialist bay poles are available, they rely on joints or bends at corners, which can interrupt the movement of the curtain and affect how evenly it hangs.

Some curtain headings are more suitable for bay windows than others:

Pencil Pleat and Pinch Pleat Curtains

These are among the most reliable choices for bay windows. They work exceptionally well on shaped tracks, move smoothly around corners and stack neatly at the sides. They suit both traditional and contemporary interiors and are particularly forgiving in angled or curved bays.

Eyelet Curtains

Eyelet curtains are generally less suitable for bay windows. They require curtain poles rather than tracks, and even with specialist bay poles the eyelets can catch or hesitate at corners. This can make opening and closing awkward and affect how evenly the curtains hang.

Choosing the right combination of heading style and support system helps ensure curtains enhance the bay window rather than working against its shape.

Works Well in Bay Windows Where:

• You want the bay to feel soft and unified rather than broken into sections

• Added warmth, comfort or sound absorption would be beneficial

• Privacy is important, particularly in the evenings

• The bay has angles or curves that suit a flowing solution

• Curtains will be layered with blinds or shutters for flexibility

Curved Vertical Blinds – A Practical Solution for Certain Bay Windows

Curved vertical blinds are a specialist option that can work particularly well in curved bay windows or bays where other blind types struggle to follow the shape of the window.

Unlike standard vertical blinds, curved vertical systems are designed to follow a continuous arc, allowing the blind to sit neatly along the curve of the bay rather than breaking it into straight sections. This makes them one of the few blind types that can genuinely work in fully curved bays.

Curved vertical blinds are often chosen for their practicality rather than their decorative appeal. They offer effective light control across large glazed areas and allow individual louvres to be tilted or drawn back to one side, helping maintain views when required.

Curved vertical blinds are not for every bay window, but where the shape of the bay makes other solutions impractical, they can be an effective and reliable option.

Works Well In Bay Windows Where:

• The bay window has a continuous curve

• Other blind types cannot follow the window shape cleanly

• Large glazed areas need managing as one unit

• Practical light control is more important than a soft or decorative look

• A simple, functional solution is preferred

• Splay or Hockey Stick bay windows

Other Popular Blinds to Consider