16 Beautiful Curtain Alternatives For Bay Windows

Choosing curtains for bay windows for a timeless design can seem like a daunting task, namely because many (dare we say most) curtain styles end up looking antiquated in no time flat. And no one wants to update their window hangings that often, given their substantial cost. A safer, more enduring, and arguably more beautiful aesthetic might lie in forgoing drapes entirely and instead exploring other bay window dressing options. There's a surprising number of alternatives available to today's homeowners, including the ever-in-vogue Roman, roller, and woven bamboo shades. There are also technologically-enhanced cellular and blackout shades and creative options like a veritable jungle of hanging houseplants, '70s inspired bead "curtains", and hand-painted faux stained glass.

There are, however, a few things you need to know before even considering alternatives to curtains for your bay windows. Most importantly, you need to measure every inch of your bay windows, including the height and width of the entire space and the individual panes, inside the frame and out. The only tools you need for this first step are a pencil, a measuring tape, and a piece of paper, so there's really no excuse not to do it. Knowing what style of bay windows you have is also useful when searching for the right curtain alternatives: modern, circle, canted, bow, or box, or something special like oriel or Craftsman? Take stock of the existing interior decor in the room, too: Do you want your shades, blinds, or other window treatments to match that, or are you planning a total re-do? Once you've got all that information, check out all of your bay window curtain alternatives.

Static cling films stick to the glass like a suction cup, while other types adhere to the surface with adhesive. This is a perfect option for renters since it's typically removable. Solid frosted film provides a minimalist look, but there are a wide array of textures and patterns available. For example, channel the '50s with the Finnez Cross Pattern Frosted Window Film on Amazon. There are even films that block harmful UV rays. If you're on a strict budget, consider using contact paper, stenciling patterns onto your bay window glass with acrylic paint, or decoupaging the surface with fabric.

If it faces the street, why not decorate your bay window instead of putting up curtains? If you create decorations with a seasonal or holiday theme, you have an excuse to change them often. For those who love decorating and crafts, that's a joy, not a chore. The key to making this idea work, especially where privacy is concerned, is densely filling the windows with decor at least three-quarters of the way up. Use string lights, hanging ornaments, and floral wreaths — You're really only limited to your imagination. Stuck for inspiration? Look to the cutting-edge window displays created by stores like Macy's and Bloomingdales.

While hurricane shutters mount to the outside of your windows, full shutters are affixed to the wall or mounted inside the frame of your bay windows. Shutters are more often found in historic homes, but it's becoming more common for contemporary homeowners to embrace their sleek lines, too. This bay window treatment is a refined choice for any room. They're louvered, meaning you can toggle the horizontal slats up or down at varying degrees to let in or close out the natural light as needed. Experts recommend selecting shutters with wide blades because they have a more timeless appeal. Thin louvered slats are more likely to look dated.

Cafe curtains are currently trending, and cafe shutters are bathing in some of that limelight, too. One of the primary complaints about full-sized interior window shutters is that they block out too much light. Cafe shutters — that is, shutters that cover just the bottom half of your bay window panes — offer a compromise worth considering. Like their top-to-bottom counterparts, they feature louvered slats and fit neatly inside your window panes. Keep in mind that some design experts consider shutters (broadly, not just cafe shutters) to suit homes in tropical climes the best, so they may seem out of place on houses in more temperate areas.

Perhaps you're looking for an unusual statement window treatment to complement your maximalist living room interior. Maybe you got lucky and the old home you just bought has period original Victorian shutters just waiting to be lovingly restored. (This actually happened to Instagram user @weeleithcolony, pictured above.) Whatever the situation, there's no denying that solid shutters add old world charm to a bay window and the room they are in. The decorative Ilyapa Farmhouse Style Barn Door Shutters will add warmth and character to your space. Alternatively, invest in bespoke solid shutters manufactured for your bay window dimensions or, if you're good with a hammer, build your own.

A bay window full to the panes with plants is practically guaranteed to accentuate any stylish and cozy window nook ideas you can come up with. Add shelves in front of your windows and fill them with potted plants, hang planters from hooks drilled into the frame (or Command hooks for renters), and turn the bay window seat into a ledge for plants. This living shade needs regular maintenance — watering, fertilizer, repotting, and more — to maintain a thick shield of privacy. That won't matter so much if your bay windows face your backyard, but it may be a concern for street-facing bay windows.

Roman shades are an enduring bay window treatment option that shouldn't be overlooked. Similar to curtains, there are endless sizes, styles, colors, and materials to choose from, so you're sure to find a match for whatever room your bay window resides in. What's more, there are both manually operated and motorized Roman blinds; the latter will save you from having to get up from the couch to close the shades before a movie. Try flat Roman shades fitted into panes that have been accentuated with decorative tape for added drama or relaxed Roman shades, which make the most of that perfectly proportioned droop in the center.

If you're looking for an unobtrusive bay window treatment option, don't overlook roller shades. They practically disappear when raised, rolling (as their name implies) neatly into a cassette mounted at the top of the frame. If you want a no-shade but all the privacy look, choose white roller shades. The neutral tone camouflages in just about any contemporary interior. For a truly dark room, try roller shades made from a blackout material. Fitting them is relatively straightforward: measure your window panes, subtract the depth of the mounting bracket from those measurements, buy your shades, and hang them according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Cellular shades, sometimes named pleated shades, have their name because they're made from rows of long, hollow cells that concertina together or stretch out. They come corded or cordless and in room darkening or light filtering fabrics. Use a shade to span the entire window or install separate shades on each window. If you choose the latter option, you can pull them up from the bottom or down from the top. Buy bespoke-made or install the budget-saving SCHOTTIS Pleated Shades from IKEA for just $4 each — so long as the measurements work for your window.

Do you want to bring a little of the outdoors inside? Woven shades crafted from natural materials are often more understated than their more elaborate counterparts — say, louvered shutters or Roman shades. While you can get wood stained options, many of these shades come in their original colors (think more muted tans and pastel pinks) and are combined with pale thread and string. Woven shades are often made of bamboo, but you'll also find them made from other forest-grown materials like wood and rattan. It's actually easy to DIY a valance-style version of these shades by cutting a bamboo curtain to fit your bay windows.

Contemporary, bespoke-made bay window insect screens are far from the ugly grey metal netting of yesteryear. Instead, these lightweight, concertina-style screens pull across your window easily and look more like a vertical version of cellular blinds. Alternatively, if you don't want to spend the money on a custom-made fit, the NeatiEase Adjustable DIY Magnetic Window Screens cost under $30, while Permastick Removable Insect Screen costs a bit over $11 at Wayfair and works similarly to Command strips, leaving no trace of glue when removed. You can quickly install either of these options by yourself with minimal tools required.

Today, strings of beads are as much associated with 1970s hippy abodes as they are Gen-Z apartments. The easiest way to make your own is to thread any combination of beads onto fishing line, add a wool loop, and tie the strand to a curtain rod above each bay window. For something more glamorous but also more time consuming, individually attach each bead to a long metal chain. Crystal beads will catch the sun, too. If you aren't crafty or just want instant gratification, purchase some to hang in your windows. For example, we like the Osunnus Colorful Boho Bamboo Beaded Curtain on Amazon.

You thought vertical blinds vanished in the '80s, right? Well, at least where residential interior design was concerned, since they're still prevalent in office design. However, many window treatment companies are claiming that these quirky curtain alternatives are back in style. Can you trust these claims? We think the more pertinent question is, are they right for your specific bay windows and your existing interior aesthetic? If you have a curved bay window, for example, they might just be the perfect option. Vertical shades come in wood or white tones and materials ranging from vinyl to textile to metal. Some even mimic the folds of curtains.

Horizontal blinds, sometimes referred to as Venetian blinds, consist of slats running lengthways for the width of the shade. They're so ubiquitous that they're likely the first thing that pops into your mind when someone says the words window blinds or window shades. An affordable way to achieve this look is to buy enough mini blinds to cover each window in your bay. Measure your windows, then order bespoke or buy horizontal blinds to fit those measurements — stick with as fancy or as economical materials as you'd like. You should be able to install them yourself just by following the manufacturer's instructions.

If you live in a busy city suburb (or even in the actual city) and your bay windows are street-side, you may want the option to block out that light pollution entirely. Que blackout shades, also called room darkening shades. Shades that pull down from the top — à la the aforementioned roller shades — are the most commonly sold and affordable option. LazBlinds 100% Blackout Roller Shades, for example, cost just over $13. Buy one for each bay window. Fancier alternatives bespoke to your bay window dimensions pull across vertically instead of down. Some shades also feature handy extras like UV protection and thermal insulation.

Few old home features are more beautiful than original stained glass bay windows. Often, the patterned, rainbow-hued glass is inserted into just the small upper panes of each window, but there's no reason why you can't extend the feature to cover the entire surface. Privacy and beauty in one! Making stained glass is an ancient and challenging craft, and the resulting windows will need to be installed by professionals. We mentioned window film before, which comes in stained glass patterns for far cheaper than the real deal. Or, you can hand paint faux stained glass patterns using glass paint.