Bay Window Curtains, Interior Design, Lounge Curtains, curtains

Ideas for Bay Windows: Make a Window Seat

If you have a bay window and don’t know quite what to do with it, or are looking for a practical way to use the additional space, why not make a window seat? If your bay has sufficient depth and you have a beautiful outside view, adding a window seat is a great way to make practical use of the space.

The window seat itself doesn’t need to be complicated, a box structure made from MDF or similar will do, just ensure that the framework underneath is strong enough to hold at least one person’s weight! The top of the seat can be made from a block of foam, covered with curtain fabric and then simply add a selection of coordinating and contrasting cushions to add more comfort.

Although you are in effect ‘doing away’ with the bay during the night, it’s a small price to pay if it is used day after day. So that the window dressing doesn’t interfere with the the seat it’s a good idea to use lounge curtains which are hung across the outside of the bay, rather than within it. If you wish to have a window dressing inside the bay, which will enable you use the seat day and night, then short window sill length curtains or window blinds are the way to go. For the former style of window dressing use a large diameter curtain pole or substantial strength curtain track to span across the front of the bay, you can always add more curtain pole brackets if you have heavy weight curtains. For the latter, (curtains inside the bay itself) use bay window curtain poles or tracks so that you can expose as much of the window sections as you can to let the light flood into the room.

Sweep the curtains open during the day and hold them in place with coordinating tie-backs. This chic and stylish bay window dressing can be adopted to suit all sizes of bays and interior design styles. It’s simply a matter of choosing bay window curtains or blinds to suit your colour scheme and décor.

Window seats also come in very handy if you need extra storage. Include a lift-up lid/s and store books, extra cushions and even throws should you need to snuggle up in the cooler months while sitting watching the snow! Window seats are also a great way of including extra seating without having to clutter-up your living room with additional seating when family and friends arrive.