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Small-Space Bay Windows: Curtain Tricks That Make Room Seem Bigger
Not every bay window opens onto a sweeping garden. In city apartments, that protruding glass is often wedged between two radiators and above a radiator cover. The good news? Strategic curtain choices can visually enlarge the niche, hide awkward storage, and still invite daylight to dance across the room.
Trick 1: Raise the Rod, Raise the Ceiling
Mount the track or pole six inches below the ceiling rather than at the window frame. Extra-long panels then skim the floor, guiding the eye upward and giving the illusion of loftier walls. Choose a lightweight fabric like cotton voile so the folds don’t overpower the petite space.
Mount the track or pole six inches below the ceiling rather than at the window frame. Extra-long panels then skim the floor, guiding the eye upward and giving the illusion of loftier walls. Choose a lightweight fabric like cotton voile so the folds don’t overpower the petite space.
Trick 2: Layer Light & Air
Pair sheer linen panels on a slim wire across the bay front with individual roller blinds inside each pane. During the day, the sheers blur the boundary between inside and out; at night, drop the blinds for instant privacy. The layered look feels luxurious yet uses minimal square footage.
Pair sheer linen panels on a slim wire across the bay front with individual roller blinds inside each pane. During the day, the sheers blur the boundary between inside and out; at night, drop the blinds for instant privacy. The layered look feels luxurious yet uses minimal square footage.
Trick 3: Hidden Storage Skirt
If the bay houses a bench or low bookcase, run a continuous curtain from rod to floor in a neutral color. When closed, the bay reads as one uninterrupted wall; when opened, the curtain reveals toy bins or winter blankets. Opt for rod-pocket tops and weighted hems so the skirt hangs neatly.
If the bay houses a bench or low bookcase, run a continuous curtain from rod to floor in a neutral color. When closed, the bay reads as one uninterrupted wall; when opened, the curtain reveals toy bins or winter blankets. Opt for rod-pocket tops and weighted hems so the skirt hangs neatly.
Trick 4: Color Pop With Contrast Trim
Afraid solid neutrals will look bland? Add a slim contrasting tape along the leading edge—think navy on ivory or rust on sand. The vertical stripe elongates the curtain and injects personality without visual clutter.
Afraid solid neutrals will look bland? Add a slim contrasting tape along the leading edge—think navy on ivory or rust on sand. The vertical stripe elongates the curtain and injects personality without visual clutter.
Trick 5: Magnetic Tiebacks for Flexibility
City dwellers often pivot from breakfast table to yoga corner in the same bay. Install magnetic tiebacks halfway up each panel; snap them closed for a café-curtain look, release them for full coverage. No wall hooks required, perfect for renters.
City dwellers often pivot from breakfast table to yoga corner in the same bay. Install magnetic tiebacks halfway up each panel; snap them closed for a café-curtain look, release them for full coverage. No wall hooks required, perfect for renters.
All the fabrics, tracks, and trims above are on promotion right now. Explore sheer, thermal, and blackout solutions tailor-made for compact bays in our Mid-Year Curtain Sale—and enjoy tiered discounts up to 15 % off orders over $500.
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