how to dress a Victorian Bay Window - living room

Comments (22)

J
3 years ago
Seems odd to me, I've never heard of curtains causing damp before. Would natural fibres help? I've a pair of wool interlined cotton curtains in a similar bay and have no problems with them
Sarah U-S
Original Author
3 years ago
They’re cotton velvet - but really thick and down to the floor - so air isn’t circulating in a couple of patches. The other contributing factor is that our radiator is on the long internal wall just behind the standard lamp - it would help if it was in the bay!
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Hiya, Bay windows are lovely features, and your suggestion of voiles and curtains could work really well. I think it would be best to have your curtains as dress curtains though, which would stop your radiator from getting eclipsed, and you losing much needed heat.Alternatively, shutters are a lovely look and would provide you with a great deal of privacy. Another suggestion we'd offer for uPVC windows is the idea of PerfectFit blinds. These sit inside a discreet frame, and are available in Pleated, Roller and Venetian blinds for fantastic choice. There's no need for drilling, and they simply clip into each pane of glass via the uPVC frame. I've attached a couple of pictures of bay windows for you to have a look at - or you might like to have a quick peek at our handy video, which has loads more inspiration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyAiEA3MGuc Hope that helps, Zoe
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macbroom
3 years ago
I think long curtains look elegant. I wouldn’t replace with shorter ones.
Sue
3 years ago
How about shutters or made to measure blinds? We’ve just left a Victorian house with shutters and it was really smart.
Sonia
3 years ago
Hi Sarah, how about raising the curtain rod by an inch or two so the curtains are off the floor allowing more circulation? I would also have the curtains in two halves rather than the four lots you have now. These are just thoughts that came in my head straight away 😊
Alison Heppell
3 years ago
Shutters are the best idea
sian bunny
3 years ago
Why don’t you just have roman blinds and have dress curtains at either end that don’t actually close
It will still look elegant but won’t be causing a problem
Sarah U-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks all. I really like shutters but I’m not sure if they’re too fussy for me. Also - on a practical level, do they take up a lot of time with cleaning?!
Sue
3 years ago
clean them with tumble dryer sheet! No effort.
minnie101
3 years ago
We used to get really bad condensation in our bedroom which had really thick curtains (understatement!) Inherited from the previous owner. We’ve since changed to thinner ones and only occasionally get it. A spare room has silk roman blinds which rarely gets it presumably as the Silk is breathable. I’m a bit surprised as your curtains seem to sit quite proud of the wall so presumably air can get behind? I think I’ve read before that curtains should sit 15-20 cm proud of the wall to prevent it but not convinced how that would look aesthetically! I think shutters, Venetians etc are a good choice as obviously the slats can be tilted to allow air flow to warm the window and prevent condensation forming. It could also be worth trying romans in a breathable fabric although couldn’t guarantee it would work. It might also be worth pulling the sofa forward a few inches.
Sarah U-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Minnie. The photo is deceptive - the curtains sit relatively proud until they reach the sill - that’s when it starts to go wrong. The curtains are rally long and they pool on the floor and seem to hug that bottom bit of wall. I think maybe one short-term solution is to simply get them shortened a bit.
The sofas are also a problem as they also block airflow. My husband wasn’t up for changing them but we have just got another cat who seems to have systematically wrecked them in a month!!
minnie101
3 years ago
Oh ok, well that would definitely be a cheaper solution to see how it works. Oh no your poor sofas ☹️ I’m not sure what’s best for cats, maybe something they don’t want to get their claws stuck in? I know when my mum had cats they weren’t interested in scratching posts...
J
3 years ago
Definitely try hemming to floor length. Could you try one of those metal hook things for holding curtains back. This sort of thing https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/curtain-holdbacks might help hold them out the way. I also think 2 big curtains rather than 4 small would look better and be easier to keep off the wall.
Sarah U-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks - I love Jim Lawrence, so will take a look!!
Victoria
3 years ago
Shortening the curtains would help the damp but I think the window would look so much more chic with blinds or shutters.
macbroom
3 years ago
Since damp is a concern I wouldn’t recommend pure silk blinds. I had a pure silk blind in my bedroom and the condensation on the window was awful and made the back of the blind turn black with mould so I then had to throw out the blind - expensive mistake. I since got faux silk blinds (which look just as good) and have had no problem with mould, damp or condensation. Apparently the faux silk is breathable.
Sonia
3 years ago
Sarah shutters would look amazing and would really suit your beautiful window. Not cheap though.......
Sarah U-S
Original Author
3 years ago
It’s the not cheap bit that worries me 😂😂

Has anyone got any idea of cost? (I know there’s tonnes of factors to determine cost - but has anyone else had shutters in a bay recently?)
peggysue67
3 years ago
We were wondering about shutters in a bay but when you fold them back won’t the ones in the middle two panes just stick out or block the side windows as you don’t have a bit of wall to fold them against?
Sarah U-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Peggysue - that’s a good point! In most photos, they’re usually closed...
Ellie
3 years ago
They are lovely windows!

I think the windows would actually look better without the curtains.

Do you close the curtains at night for privacy when sitting in the room? Or just close at night going to bed?

I think shutters might look too much for the big windows and you need something simpler.

I like roman blinds.

Or how about just curtains at the 2 sides, and when pulled back at the sides they are swept away from the walls/windows.... or held back with a hook/holder?
Sarah U-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Ellie.
We actually end up closing the curtains quite a lot because it tends to be the sofa that we slouch on to watch the TV - and we have to blow I out the sun! To be fair, blinds could do that job too...

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how to dress a Victorian Bay Window - living room

Comments (22)

J

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how to dress a Victorian Bay Window - living room

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