21 Beautiful Bay Window Ideas for Living Rooms

If your living room offers a bay window, it’s safe to say that you’ll want to make the most of this beautiful architectural feature! Below, we’ve rounded up 21 ideas that you won’t want to miss as it pertains to furniture layout, accents to decorate with, and more. Keep reading and then get ready to design the cozy living room you’ve always craved.

• 01 of 21
  Choose an Oversized Seat

  @life_at_kuldana / Instagram

  Place an oversized chair in front of your bay window, and if you wish, opt for something spacious enough to accommodate two children or an adult and a pet. This will be the spot to cuddle up!

  Continue to 2 of 21 below.

• 02 of 21
  Create a Conversation Nook

  @thejoannapiccoli / Instagram

  Turn your bay window area into a conversation nook. All you’ll need are two armchairs, a side table (perfect for setting down drinks or snacks), and a lamp. You can also take a cue from this space and use a small area rug to section off this nook and make it feel a bit separate from the rest of your living room.

  Continue to 3 of 21 below.

• 03 of 21
  Place a Tree by the Window

  @asymmetricalhome / Instagram

  Give your plants the light they need! Place some potted green friends or a tall tree in front of your bay window as seen here. Trees are excellent for adding height and dimension to any space.

  Continue to 4 of 21 below.

• 04 of 21
  Get Cozy With Throw Pillows

  @the_williams_abode / Instagram

  Here’s another example of an oversized chair being stationed in front of the bay window. Add some throw pillows for maximum comfort and carve out a little reading nook that everyone in the family will enjoy using.

  Continue to 5 of 21 below.

• 05 of 21
  Decorate the Windowsill

  @lifeatrosies / Instagram

  If there’s a radiator stationed below your bay windows, you’ll want to leave the surrounding area clear—but you can still decorate the windowsill as you wish! Display everything from plants to vases to picture frames.

  Continue to 6 of 21 below.

• 06 of 21
  Have Fun With Green Friends

  @_house_77 / Instagram

  Angling a bold-colored accent chair in front of your bay window will draw attention to this area. Set up a charming vignette by choosing a fun hue for your seating. Then, accent the space with plants or pampas grass, as we see above.

  Continue to 7 of 21 below.

• 07 of 21
  Try a Bistro Table

  @houseofsnook / Instagram

  Here’s another conversation-nook-like setup that proves that a solution like this is a no-fail option. In a studio apartment, you could replicate this setup, only with a small bistro table to create a charming dining area.

  Continue to 8 of 21 below.

• 08 of 21
  Set Out Comfy Layers

  @sheffieldsemi1930s / Instagram

  Get cozy! Accents like faux fur blankets and knit pillows will make your nook appear ultra plush. You can always store throw blankets in a woven basket when they’re not in use.

  Continue to 9 of 21 below.

• 09 of 21
  Highlight a Vintage Piece

  @old_victorian_home / Instagram

  Love vintage style? Try a beautiful antique loveseat like this one, which looks absolutely stunning placed in front of the bay window. The French-inspired look is oh-so glam.

  Continue to 10 of 21 below.

• 10 of 21
  Set Up a Happy Hour Station

  @thisbeautifulheap / Instagram

  Happy hour at home just got way better. Make your bay window into a mini drink station—place an accent chair and ottoman alongside a small bar cart, and you’ll always have a spot to relax when 5 pm strikes.

  Continue to 11 of 21 below.

• 11 of 21
  Don’t Shy Away from Color

  @sl_indesign / Instagram

  You can always recover chairs that have seen better days using a peppy fabric that speaks to you. Here, eclectic purple velvet makes a major impact. Install a gallery wall off to the side of these chairs to complete the look.

  Continue to 12 of 21 below.

• 12 of 21
  Accommodate Guests Galore

  @themillys1930shome / Instagram

  There’s no reason you can’t place a full-sized loveseat in front of your bay window. This is a great way to maximize seating in your living room if you love to host and entertain.

  Continue to 13 of 21 below.

• 13 of 21
  Incorporate a Built-In Bench

  If you’re designing a living room from scratch, you may wish to incorporate a bay window with a built-in bench into the layout. This one offers valuable storage drawers below, too, making it easy to tuck away things like board games, magazines, and more.

  Continue to 14 of 21 below.

• 14 of 21
  Try a New Orientation

  Don’t be afraid to orient your living room so that the sofa is in front of the bay window. While we often see accent chairs in this spot, there is no right or wrong way to lay out your living room; a setup like this looks stunning.

  Continue to 15 of 21 below.

• 15 of 21
  Mix and Match Chair Styles

  Additionally, the chairs that go in front of your bay window don’t have to match. Here, two different styles of seating look excellent paired together; the taller chair adds some welcome height to the room.

  Continue to 16 of 21 below.

• 16 of 21
  Push Your Sofa to the Back

  To make your living room feel more spacious, consider pushing a second sofa close to the bay windows rather than scooting it up a bit. This results in more open floor space, which is great if you have children who like to play on the carpet, too.

  Continue to 17 of 21 below.

• 17 of 21
  Don’t Forget the Storage

  Here’s another bay window that features a built-in bench component. Once again, the fact that the bench offers storage below couldn’t be more useful!

  Continue to 18 of 21 below.

• 18 of 21
  Add Home-y Touches

  @cindyetta / Instagram

  If you choose to place a side table by the window, add some flair to the piece with little touches including a small lamp, plant, or picture frame. Don’t forget about the big, comfy furniture. These accents will make your space feel more home-like and cozy.

  Continue to 19 of 21 below.

• 19 of 21
  Try a Fun Plant Setup

  @thevenetianpantry / Instagram

  As we noted earlier, bay windows are the perfect place to set up your plants. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box with an arrangement like this one—a plant in a basket couldn’t look more chic! Whether you opt for one or several is up to you.

  Continue to 20 of 21 below.

• 20 of 21
  Keep Things Clear

  @palmandprep / Instagram

  If your bay window offers a beautiful view, be sure to maximize it by keeping the surrounding area open. Sunlight streams into this airy living room that offers a stunning view of the water outside. People of all ages—and pets—will appreciate being able to easily stroll up to the window and admire the scenery.

  Continue to 21 of 21 below.

• 21 of 21
  DIY a Plant Stand

  @beetrootandblack / Instagram

  Another way to position your plants is by placing them on stands. You can create your own DIY version by setting a favorite pot atop a small stool, too.