Bay-side charm

Sukhmani

Hugely popular feature of residential Victorian architecture in the British Isles, bay windows are considered an ornamental addition to the building structure. Bay windows are usually a unit of three or more windows projecting out from an outer wall of a house. They add more light, depth and dimension to a room.

Bay windows can make or break the overall look of your room, which is the reason why it can be a tough job to decorate this space. If you have a set of protruding window constructions at your place, the possibilities of decorating them to enhance their functional and aesthetic qualities are endless. But exercise caution while experimenting. Remember, there is a very fine line between decorating and over-decorating. Here are a few tips to decorate your window space-

n Don’t make the bay area look like a separate area, make it the focal point of the room.

n Avoid using a straight rod for your curtains, use bow rods specially designed for bay windows instead.

n Keep your drapes clean line and simple. You can use a valance to cover the rods.

n Instead of curtains, you can consider using wooden shutters to add a country charm to your room.

n Seating is a must if you want to enjoy your bay window to the fullest. You can build a window seat with a cushion and colorful throw pillows on top with storage below.

n Most home owners make a mistake of placing a sofa in front. You must showcase your window instead of hiding it.

n Use small groupings of furniture instead, like a comfy chair placed at an angle, a table and a floor lamp.

n You must also accessorize your bay window with a reading lamp, rug, plants etc. to create a dramatic effect.

n You can frame the bay window to emphasise its depth and create a border design statement.

n If you have a bay window in the kitchen, it would be ideal to organize a small dining area in it.

n A bay can become a joy for a workaholic, who works not only in the office, but also at home. Equip it with a convenient desk-sill , to make a comfortable home office.

n Decorating the bay area with house plants is a good option to light up the room. (Sukhmani is an Interior and Landscape designer)