There is no question that the world of interior design is filled with a myriad of design ideas which all have their own unique purpose and history. Though, one of the most popular features that has transcended generations and hundreds of designers is the bay window. This window design is completely unique not just in the way it looks but also in how it brings in so much light to the room. Light is, of course, one of the most important aspects of any home and any designer will often strive to create as much natural light as possible. Naturally, there are many ways to do this but the most obvious is to make the most of the window space in the room.

As you might expect there have been many designs for windows over the years and these all differ quite a bit from each other. Some examples include the standard rectangular window, the skylight, and porthole-style windows. Though one of the largest to feature in the modern home and one of the oldest in its origin is the bay window. This window shape has been featured in some of the world's most historic buildings though what actually is a bay window? Keep reading this blog to find out more about this unique and incredibly versatile window.

What is a bay window?

Well, essentially that question on the face of it is a fairly easy one to answer. A bay window is a large glass window that curves out from the outer wall of a home to create a three-dimensional space. There are, of course, a series of fairly obvious benefits to this style of window such as the improved light in the space and the extra amount of room you will have. These benefits are of course part of the reason why they rose in popularity so quickly. Though what is their origin and when were they first invented?

History of the bay window

The bay window finds its origins in Europe during the middle ages when the world began to see significant progress in the area of design. The precise moment and place where the bay window was invented and implemented is somewhat disputed. What we do know for sure is it quickly became popular. This period of the middle ages was dominated by the castle and large manor houses which led the way for new designs and innovation. Though what was the state of Europe at the time which meant that inventions such as the bay window could be creared?

Most people cite the expansion in popularity of the bay window to have taken place in a very specific 100-year period of mediaeval Europe. This period was the 12th century and is generally considered part of the middle ages in the Western world.

This period of European history is commonly known as the third and final Renaissance period of the mediaeval ages. Often, renaissance periods are known for their artistic and musical progression though there are often many other leaps forward. One of these areas is, of course, architecture. After the Crusades, many of the soldiers came home with new ideas and new technology and this created design principles for architects to work with. As you might well guess, one of these new design principles was the effectiveness of light in the interior of a space.

This drive to create more light in indoor spaces led to a number of architectural changes in grand home design and planning. For example many rooms became larger with lighter painting and decoration on the walls. This meant that often the light could travel further in a space making all corners of the room evenly lit. Naturally one of the other light-utilising inventions of this period was the bay window and this design idea quickly became one of the most popular inventions of the middle ages.

The window was of course used throughout many of the continent's largest castles and manor houses. Their popularity was largely due to the light which they brought into rooms though they were also seen as a beautiful design feature for homes. So, like many of the world's new inventions and movements, it started in the richest families of the culture and slowly trickled down to the rest of society as building practices improved. As these processes became more efficient the price of bay windows slowly reduced making them a possibility for most homes in the area.

When to use a bay window

Bay windows are, of course, a brilliant design feature and a great way to improve your space. After all, they can improve the general aesthetic appearance of your home as well as create far more natural light in the space. Though there are a few instances when you shouldn’t use a bay window and it is important to understand this.

Small rooms

One of the main benefits of bay windows is the fact that they can often create touch more space in a room or at least they will make the room feel larger. This can be a huge benefit if your room is fairly small or looks smaller than some of the other rooms in your home.

Bedrooms

A bay window in a bedroom can be a great idea as it will allow for another space in the room to use as a storage area or a place to sit. You can incorporate a few designer cushions or perhaps even a built-in desk.

Living rooms

A living room is a great place to add a bay window as it will vastly improve the feeling of space within the room. You will also want your living room to have as much natural light as possible and with a bay window, you can easily achieve this.

So, there are many uses for a bay window and incorporating one may vastly improve the practical appearance of both your interior and exterior. So, make sure you discuss bay windows with your architect as they will be able to design a space that makes the most of your new windows.

How to dress a bay window

As a bay window is a fairly large interior element there are many options when it comes to dressing the window. So, check out this list to find some ideas for your own home.

Bespoke seating

One brilliant option for your bay window is incorporating a window seat into the design. After all, this can make for a brilliant place to sit and read your book or simply take a minute out of your busy day. The seat will get plenty of light so you can use the area to draw, paint or simply relax and read.

Designer desk

A desk in front of a window is always a brilliant idea as the natural light will likely help to improve your productivity in the space. With a bay window you may decide to create your very own built-in desk which follows the same shape as the window itself. This way you will also save space in your room.

Curtains

Some people would prefer to use curtains as the only dressing for their window to keep the design simple and understated. There is merit behind this choice and it will often create a more traditional but functional feeling in the room. You will need to carefully consider the colour and design of your curtains if you choose this option.

Blinds

Many designers and interior experts would argue that blinds are the better option if you have a bay window in your home. Their reasoning behind this decision is often related to the space-saving which you achieve if you use blinds as well as the expense and design elements.

If you’re in need of some parts or repairs to your bay window blinds then make sure you contact us today. We have many years of experience in the industry and would like to talk with you about your options. What's more we pride ourselves on always listening to you and our customers to make sure that you get the best possible service.