Bay Window Help & Planning Advice
Not sure whether your curtains should stay inside the bay, extend onto the side walls or sit behind a pelmet? I’ll help you understand the options.
These are some of the questions I regularly help customers with when they’re planning curtains and a track for their bay window.
I’ve put together four short guides to explain the different arrangements and help you decide what will work best for your window.
And don’t worry about getting every detail sorted before ordering. With our made-to-measure bay tracks, you only need the approximate overall length to get started.
Find the Guide That Matches Your Bay Window
Each guide explains a different part of planning your curtains and curtain track. Choose the one that answers your question, or work through them at your own pace.
Bay Window Styles Explained
Not sure what shape your bay window is? Learn how to recognise the common styles and understand the different arrangements.
Pelmet or No Pelmet?
Thinking about adding a pelmet? Discover how it changes the appearance of your curtains and what to consider when positioning your track.
What Are Returns on a Bay Window Track?
Confused by the term ‘returns’? Find out what they are, why they matter and how they affect where your curtains hang and stack when open.
Bay Window Track Without Returns
Want your curtains to stay entirely within the bay? Learn how tracks without returns work and how we can help minimise gaps at the edges.
You Don’t Need Every Detail Sorted Before Ordering
It’s worth thinking about where you’d like your curtains to hang and how far you’d like them to pull back when open. But you don’t need to work out every bend, angle or individual measurement before placing your track order.
For an Ezecurtains made-to-measure bay track, you only need the approximate overall track length to get a price and place your order. Within a few centimetres is fine at this stage.
After ordering, I’ll collect your detailed bay measurements and check them before your track is manufactured.
If you’re not sure which bay arrangement is best, our Hanging Curtains in Bay Windows guides can also help you explore the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make all these decisions before ordering?
No. It’s helpful to have an idea of where you want your curtains to hang, but you don’t need every detailed measurement before ordering one of our bay tracks. I’ll collect and check the final sizes afterwards.
Are returns better than no returns?
Neither is automatically better. Returns allow the curtains to extend onto the side walls, while a track without returns keeps the curtains within the bay. The best choice depends on your window and how you’d like the curtains to hang.
Will a pelmet affect where my curtain track is fitted?
It can. A pelmet may affect the position of the track and the clearance needed for the curtain heading. It’s worth considering this before finalising the fitting position.
What if I’m not sure which arrangement suits my bay?
Send me a couple of photos of your bay window and explain how you’d like your curtains to hang. I’ll help you choose a suitable arrangement using the tracks we supply.
What’s the next step once I’ve decided?
You can explore our bay curtain tracks, get an instant price and place your order using the approximate overall track length. We’ll deal with the detailed bay measurements afterwards.
Still Not Sure What’s Best for Your Bay Window?
Try our Curtain Track Finder to help narrow down the options, or send me a couple of photos of your bay window. I’ll help you choose a suitable track from the range we supply.
