Bay windows are lovely to have, and they take a little thought to dress. The glass sits at angles, the frame often has a deep reveal, and the three panes rarely behave like one window. Most of the questions we hear come down to a single choice: one blind, or a blind in each pane.
The short answer
For almost every bay, separate blinds in each pane is the neater and more reliable choice. A single blind can only follow a straight line, and a bay is not a straight line. That does not mean a single blind is never right, so here are the cases on each side.
Why one blind per pane usually works well
- It fits the shape. Each blind sits flat inside its own pane, so the fabric hangs true and the edges stay tidy.
- You control each side separately. Lower the side pane that catches the afternoon sun and leave the front one open.
- Light gaps are easier to manage. Each blind can be sized to its own recess, which is easier than bridging three planes.
- It is simple to live with. One stuck or damaged blind means one repair, not a whole run.
The trade-off is the small gap between neighbouring blinds where the frames meet. In a bedroom you may notice a thin line of light there. In a living room it rarely matters. If it does, ask us about overlap options or a fabric that suits your room.
When a single blind or pole can make sense
A gently curved or shallow bay, sometimes called a bow window, can look lovely with one dressing across it. Curtains on a bay track or pole are the usual answer, because fabric follows a curve far better than a blind does. If you like the idea of curtains in the main room and blinds for practical light control, our guide to curtains or Roman blinds covers the thinking.
A single wide blind across the outside of a very square bay, hung from the wall above the window, is possible, though it is less often chosen. It tends to leave the side panes with no useful angle control and it can look heavy.
Which blinds suit a bay
Several types do well, and the best one depends on the room.
- Roller blinds are tidy and flat, and each pane gets its own roll. Choose a fabric weight to suit the room.
- Roman blinds add softness and work nicely in a living room bay, though they need a little more depth to stack up.
- Wooden and faux wood blinds let you tilt the slats to angle light, which suits a bay that gets low sun.
- Day and night blinds give two light levels in one blind if you want both view and privacy.
- Perfect Fit blinds can suit some uPVC bays, though it is worth checking the frame first. See our note on Perfect Fit compatibility.
Vertical blinds are less often chosen for a bay, because the track would have to be made to follow the angles. Ask us if you have a particular reason to want them and we'll talk it through.
Things to look at before ordering
Depth of the recess. Each pane needs enough depth for the headrail and fabric. Handles, cill-top vents and window stays can get in the way, so look at what sticks out as well as how deep the frame is.
Whether the panes are all the same size. They often are not. The side panes can be narrower than the middle, and sometimes slightly different in height. It helps to measure every one separately.
Opening windows. If a side pane opens, the blind needs to clear the handle, and you'll want to reach the control easily. Think about which way the pane swings.
Where the controls fall. With three blinds, it helps to have the chains or cords on sensible sides, away from each other and out of reach of children. Our child safety page has the full picture, and cordless or motorised options are worth asking about for hard-to-reach panes.
The cill and radiator. If there is a radiator under the window, or a deep cill, do tell us. A blind that hangs over a heat source or catches on a cill edge needs a different fit.
Measuring a bay
It helps to think of a bay as three separate windows, because that is how it will be made. Measure each pane for width and for height, in more than one place, and write down which pane is which, left to right as you face the window from inside. Our measuring guide goes through the method, and awkward windows covers the odd shapes. A bay is exactly the sort of window where a free measure saves worry, because we can check the angles and the clearances in person.
A quick way to decide
If the bay is straight-sided with flat panes, a blind in each pane is a lovely fit. If it is a soft curve, curtains are worth a look. If you're still deciding, tell us what is in the room and which way the bay faces, and we'll talk it through. You can book a free measure and we'll advise at the window.
