What is it about bay windows that we love so much? Generally found in Victorian houses, they originally came about because of a change in building regulations, which the Victorians took advantage of as the design allows more light to come into a room. But they can be a tricky shape to work with when you first encounter one. Many people choose to add some bespoke joinery, which not only provides an extra place to sit but has the benefit of extra storage too. Others nestle in a pretty desk or pair of armchairs, creating a little nook to read, work or eat. Then there is the question of what kind of window dressing to choose. Do you opt for blinds, curtains, shutters or some combination of the three? Cafe curtains, which are often sheer and only cover the bottom half of a window, are an increasingly popular choice for spaces which might otherwise feel dark. It can take some trial and error to work out what to do with the extra, slightly awkwardly shaped space that a bay window creates. First things first, you can get curved curtain poles from John Lewis that are a godsend for bay windows. They offer made-to-measure options, bay bends for working straight poles together for a bay window and entire off-the-shelf bay window curtain kits. All you need now are some ready-made curtains.

Here below, a selection of examples from the House & Garden archive of what to do with a bay window, whether it’s in a living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom or even bathroom.