Ask Kelly : Hanging Curtains in a Bay Window

The other day my dear friend Claire suggested I do a question/answer feature in the blog.  So we are going to try it out and see if I can answer your questions!  You are welcome to send questions and I'll try to answer them or at least find someone who can.  Here is the first question: 


dear kelly,

how do i hang curtains in a bay window? do i do three individual curtains or one over all three?

-bewildered by the bay


Dear bewildered by the bay,


You have to start off with an appropriate curtain pole. There are various types of curtain pole that you can use with bay windows and depending on the type you choose and the method you use to attach it to the wall you should end up either using two or four curtains (assuming you have a three sided bay). Fitting a curtain pole can be an easy to moderately challenging DIY task depending on the type you choose.


A simple plastic or metal curtain track (see the track here for example) is the easiest option but is not the best looking. You simply cut the track to length with a hacksaw and bend it into shape, attaching it to the wall or window frame along the way. This is also the cheapest method.


(Sorry for the fuglyness of these curtains.  We haven't fixed this room up yet.)

You can see the curtain track better here.

A bay window curtain pole (see this pole for example) is the most expensive option but also looks best. As the poles are not generally bendable apart from in specific parts the measuring of the bay and accurate cutting of the poles becomes a lot more important. If you wish to use only two curtains then you need to use the correct combination of end brackets and passing brackets or a pole set that only requires fixing at the two ends and in the middle (like the one we have in our bedroom shown below).

And here is a close up.

When ordering curtains remember that you need a curtain that is approximately double the width of the windows so that you have enough fabric to allow for attractive pleating. You can buy ready made curtains in a variety of sizes or have your own made. The drop or length of the curtains is up to you but you may wish either to have curtains that fall just below the window sill, to the top of your skirting board or to just above the floor. Having a lined curtain reduces the amount of light penetration and provides better insulation.


Hope I have left you less bewildered by the bay.  Let us know how it goes!  


-Kelly and Nick (today's guest blogger)