Ready Made Curtains for Bay Windows
If you’ve been hunting for ready made curtains for bay windows that will fit properly, you’ll already know it isn’t straightforward. We don’t sell curtains ourselves — our focus is on made-to-measure curtain tracks — but after 30+ years in this trade, we’ve helped thousands of people hang ready made curtains in bays successfully.
This page gives you honest advice on what works, what compromises you may need to make, and a simple calculator to help work out the best sizes. And while you’re here, remember: choosing the right curtain track is just as important as choosing the curtains. Even the best ready mades won’t look right if the track doesn’t fit the bay properly.
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10-Year Guarantee
Free remake if it doesn’t fit — even if mis-measured
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Video Measuring Guides
Short step-by-steps so you know it’s right
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No Charge Per Bend
You pay for length only — big savings on multi-bend bays
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Fast UK Delivery
Recyclable, eco-friendly packaging as standard
Do Ready Made Curtains Work in a Bay Window?
The short answer is yes — but only with certain types of curtains.
- ✅ Pencil pleat curtains (with cords you pull to gather the fabric) are the only ready made option that will stack back neatly at each side of the bay.
- ❌ Eyelet (ring top), tab top, back tabs, and slot top curtains won’t work in a bay window. They simply can’t bend and return to each side without bunching or leaving gaps.
So if you’re set on ready made curtains, start by narrowing your search to pencil pleat heading curtains. They’re by far the most practical option for bays.
Curtain Widths – What’s Available?
Most ready made curtains come in set widths:
- 117cm
- 168cm
- 228cm
That’s the size of each curtain panel laid flat. To hang correctly, you’ll need to gather them using the heading tape cords. For a neat look, each panel should be pulled to just over half the bay width, giving you roughly double fullness when the curtains are drawn.
Here’s the catch:
- Even the widest ready made panels (228cm) aren’t enough for most bays.
- Typical UK bay windows (including the returns) are between 300cm and 450cm wide.
- That means you’ll usually need two pairs of ready made curtains to get the proper coverage and fullness.
Curtain Drops (Lengths)
Ready made curtains are also sold in set drops:
- 120cm
- 137cm
- 183cm
- 228cm
- 274cm
The problem is, not every width is available in every drop. For taller Victorian or Edwardian bays, choice becomes even more limited.
And because lengths are fixed, it’s often a compromise:
- Too long = curtains drape onto the sill or puddle on the floor.
- Too short = curtains finish awkwardly above the sill or floor.
For many bays, you may find “close enough” is the best you can achieve with ready mades.
Common Problems With Ready Made Curtains for Bay Windows
- Limited widths — not wide enough to cover larger bays without using multiple pairs.
- Limited drops — often too short or too long for period windows.
- Style restrictions — only pencil pleat works, which limits design options.
- Stack-back issues — curtains may not pull fully off the window.
Simple Solutions
If you’re happy to compromise a little, here’s how to make ready mades work in a bay:
- Use two pairs of curtains for enough width.
- Stick with pencil pleat heading.
- Measure carefully around the bay track, allowing for returns.
- Use our ready made curtain calculator below to work out the closest sizes.
👉 And while you’re here — don’t forget the track itself. A poorly fitted track will make even the best ready mades look messy. A made-to-measure bay track ensures your curtains glide smoothly and hang neatly.
FAQs
Not really — most are just standard ready mades in fixed sizes. With pencil pleat headings and some adjustments, you can make them work in a bay.
Eyelet rings can’t turn corners, so the curtains won’t run smoothly around a bay. They’ll bunch up instead of stacking neatly.
Made-to-measure curtains. They cost more, but they’ll fit your bay perfectly. At the very least, pair ready mades with a custom bay track to make them look and function better.
Use our handy ready made curtain calculator
Enter the width of your bay (including out of the bay on each side if required). Then enter how long you would like your curtains to be. The calculator will then display the best option for ready made curtains for bay windows that work. The calculator rounds up to the next biggest size.
Need a Hand?
Not sure which track to choose for your bay? Send us a quick photo of your window and we’ll point you in the right direction.