10 Brilliant 6-Bay Window Ideas for Your Living Room

A bay window in a living room is a beautiful thing, making the space look bigger, introducing more light, and providing extra square footage that opens up design options1. If you’re wondering how to design a modern living room, there’s nothing better than an idyllic spot that also adds decorative value to the indoors1.

Interior designer Jarret Yoshida says, “Who doesn’t love a bay window? This architectural detail evokes images of sunlight streaming through glass panes, illuminating a room with a Vermeer-worthy glow. For our clients, we make bay windows the focal point of their projects, providing them a place they can lounge in, and while away their time”1.

Bay windows offer many uses, such as a comfy reading space, a snuggle spot in the winter, a place for mid-day naps; plus, this architectural feature also speaks of luxury1.

Here are 10 ideas to make your living room bay window shine:

1. Add Extra Seating

A bay window offers the perfect spot for a window seat1. Consider built-in seating to make the most of this area instead of adding chairs within the tiny space1.

Interior designer Cat Dal, founder of Cat Dal Interiors, uses a bay window seat to complement the rest of this living room’s layout, as well as incorporating the same color palette1. Cat says, “This bay window seating was designed with the whole room in mind, in a way to connect all corners and spaces. For this particular corner, we chose fun patterns, and the colors of red and navy on the cushions are also sprinkled around the rest of the room. We always design the whole room cohesively and all at once”1.

Pro Tip: Choose soft corduroy striped decorative pillows to add a refreshing touch to the bay window seating1.

2. Convert to a Breakfast Nook

Maximize your living room corner with a compact breakfast nook tucked into a bay window1. The built-in seating will offer a nice perching spot, and with the inclusion of a table and two chairs, you can create an elegant zone in a living space that allows it to double up as a place to eat, work, or any other activity you can think of1.

Bay windows make for a particularly dreamy spot for your morning coffee, as they’re traps for sunlight1. Jarret says, “Because bay windows are angled on at least three sides, they capture light throughout all hours of the day. Indoor light is no match for the glow of the sun and bay windows capture this like no other architectural feature. These singleton vertical openings offer the best views, and perfectly frame the outdoors, almost offering a panoramic opening”1.

3. Home for a Full-Size Table

The shape of a bay window can often feel awkward when positioning living room furniture within it, but a dining table fills the space particularly well1. Whether you’ve got an open-plan living-dining room or want to include a table for other activities, tables are the perfect partners for bay windows1.

Interior designer Esther Lundstrom, founder of Lunstrom Interior, explains, “I sectioned out zones in the great room to organize it. The family enjoys entertaining and playing table and board games. Alongside the bay window, a game table where the family gets together to play was important to incorporate, allowing for extra seating”1.

4. Simple Refinement with a Bow Configuration

Bow configurations offer a simple yet stylish design idea for a living room with bay windows3. The multiple lines form a gentle curve at a relaxed angle, providing lots of light without drawing too much attention3.

Operable casement windows incorporated into the bay window are often the best way to go for a small living room with bay windows, keeping things nice and uncluttered3. You can add a dash of style with a customized grid or even beveled-leaded glass that gently accents the center pane3.

5. Open a Small Room

Bay windows come in all sizes and can suit any size room3. As far as small living room bay window ideas go, you can choose a simple design in a bay configuration3. One large pane with two sides is more than enough, giving a clean and symmetrical appearance without diminishing visibility3.

Casement windows are often the best way to go for a small living room with bay windows, keeping things nice and uncluttered3. You can add a dash of style with a customized grill that gently accents the center pane3.

6. Add Some Classic Flair

Bow configurations can be both simple and more elaborate, adding a traditional and more detailed look3. Grilles are a common part of many bow window layout ideas, with both standard and more complex designs available3.

Operable casement windows flank either end allowing ample airflow whenever opened, making these bow configurations as functional as they are stylish3.

7. Go Big

For more expansive living rooms, a large window can be an ideal choice3. A simple bay configuration can be stunning with larger lites, providing extraordinary lighting and ambiance3.

When the space is available, a simple 3-lite bay configuration is often the way to go, particularly when there’s a good view3. With or without decorative grids, they make a great choice for larger living room spaces3. A simple but elegant grille is also a great choice, especially to match existing windows on your home3.

8. Striking Small Bay Window

For a small living room, a simple bay configuration with operating casement windows can be the way to go3. A square center lite is simple yet very attractive3.

Some people also choose to go with grilles on the end lites, but not in the center3. This varied approach can be quite stylish and works very well with most home styles3.

9. Bold Bonnet Roof

The bonnet roof is the cover that goes over your bay window, and it doesn’t necessarily have to match your existing roof; you can try going with a bolder choice3.

10. Make it Cozy

A bay window interior will set the mood for your living room, so choosing the right bay window is important3. You’ll have plenty of options when it comes to the many bay and bow configurations, along with the style and finish3.