However, it turns out this feature that we loved about our house is also one of my greatest design challenges. Plainly put, bay windows can be a huge pain in the butt. A while back I wrote a post on different ways to dress a bay window.
For all of you who are in the same boat as me, today let’s talk about what to do with the window sill of a bay. If you’re lucky, your sill is low enough to add a cushion and pillows and call it a window seat. BAM. Done.
However, if your bay is like mine, the sill is so high that it makes sitting a little awkward. My bay window sills are the about the height of a sofa table.
This is what our windows looked like when we first moved here before I primed and painted right over that gorgeous peachy pink tile and orange trim.
Here is the living room bay this past Christmas. (It’s in desperate need of new lamps but I’m having a hard time committing to any.)
I don’t do much with the bays in the dining room, but this one behind the couch just begs for a little vignette, especially during the winter when the garden is not in bloom. Today I’m changing this space up for spring and thought I’d share with you some inspirations for decorating this awkward space.
One thing is for sure about Pottery Barn: their stylists are masters. Since moving here and contending with my windows, I’ve noticed that PB is keen on a couch placed in front of a window, with a well styled sofa table in between.
Notice the PB stylists vary the height of objects and often use fresh greens or flowering branches in their displays.
Do you have a bay window and if so, do you decorate the space?
Wish my family luck that there is anything to eat for dinner tonight, because this is way more fun than food shopping!
xo, Lisa
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
OH I love your Christmas display and wow, you are right, so many fabulous ideas for how to style up your space. Hugs, Marty
Simply LKJ says
Wonderful photos. We have a faux bay in my downstairs office, 3 windows, 2 on the sides are angled, but no bench seat or large sill.
Dana Frieling says
Sure hope you're going to share your bay window with its spring decor!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
I love these examples and love that it acts as a sofa table. We had one in my childhood living room and my mom always had plants in it. 🙂 I loved that little window!
Katie says
Hi Lisa, I love what you did it looks great. Just use it for decor and change it out a bit with seasons. Oh my word are you ready of another kitchen reno at my new house?? It's coming.
Vel Criste says
I grew up in a house with bay windows like yours Lisa, too high to put a bench in. So we tried compensating like you suggested, with some vignettes, we never placed lighting on them,never thought of it, but it makes perfect sense. I love how you styled yours over Christmas and can't wait for the spring one!
pam {simple details} says
We have three bay windows, but none have a seat/ledge. Is it disguising something, what's underneath? Do you know where I'm going with this? 🙂 Bam, bam, bam…the sound of demolition, on a day when your husband is away, of course!!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
We do have a bay and the girls and dog sit in it all the time. The only thing that bugs about it is that I can't really put any pillows in it as it looks yucky from outside. Love bay windows.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
You've totally got me thinking now. Our bay window in the living room is a window seat but the one in the dining room is bare. Never even thought about doing something with it until now! Love the idea – especially in my small dining room that doesn't have any surfaces to decorate other than the table! Thanks for the inspiration!
Jill Flory of Sew a Fine Seam says
Lovely design ideas. Your Christmas window was so lovely!
My Mom has a large bay window in her living room and it has been a bit of a decor challenge. I'm liking the idea of a narrow table and then the couch in front of that. Might see if it works in my Moms room.
Ashley Starlie says
Thank you for sharing…