Living room with bay window - a gift from architects
"Bay window (German Erker) - the part of the room protruding from the plane of the facade. Allows you to increase the interior space of the home, as well as improve its lighting and insolation, in connection with which, the bay window is usually glazed, often around the perimeter. "
Even a small bay window can significantly increase the area of your living room, make it lighter and more welcoming. As for the interior design, it is correctly furnished and decorated, it will add variety and give individuality to your room. Moreover, it can be decorated in any style in which the interior of the main room is made.
To maximize the capabilities of the bay window in lighting your living room, it is advisable to draw it in pastel colors. This will add light and air to the room. And the design in one style with the room will unite the whole space.
If desired, you can highlight the extension zone with carpet, color, transition in the ceiling or make a podium. You can use columns, curtains, screens and tall objects of decor and furniture. But this will partially block the access to light, and the living room space will become even smaller.
There are some of the most popular ways to use extra space in the living room.
Rest zone
For maximum comfort, install a sofa with light-colored upholstery and rounded shapes along the windows. When arranging upholstered furniture, the back to the window is convenient for reading, since the light will be directed to the pages of a book or magazine. You can just lie back on the side of everyone and still be in the same room with your family.
In order to be able to retire while relaxing, hang a light curtain. This will separate the sitting area from the living room when necessary. The rest of the time, the curtain can be easily moved. For the harmony of the interior, the fabric should be light, light, combined with the color of the walls or be identical to the main decor.
It is best to make a sofa for a bay window to order so that it repeats the shape of the line of windows. But you can just pick a suitable size with a low back or ottoman.
A number of armchairs also have a magnificent view and make the interior more comfortable. Only have to rest sitting, lie down will not work. But everyone has their own habits.
Study
Often in an apartment there is no way to make an office in a separate room. But we are already used to carrying work home and in the evenings and on weekends to do it. To do this, you need a small desk for papers and a computer, a couple of drawers for storing documents and papers, and a little space away from the hustle and bustle.
A bay window is useful for this purpose. The work desk, set near the windows, will be well lit all day. In the evening, you will not interfere with family members watching TV, but they will work for you. In this case, you will be close to your loved ones, and not in the office.
It turns out very beautifully when a wide window sill is turned into a countertop, and from the living room side the line of the table top is flat. The space below the window can be used to place boxes or create shelves for folders. The chair is located back to the living room.
But this is not the only option for the design of the working area in the bay window. You can put a desk under the windows or sideways. If you are comfortable, then an option with a coffee table and an armchair is possible. Choose your workstation solution based on your needs and taste.
Dining room in bay window
Often the kitchen is located next to the living room and has a small area. It is not possible to place the dining table separately and with all amenities. Guests have to take in the living room and make a table there.
Use the opportunity provided by the presence of a bay window for the dining room. Place narrow sofas with low backs under the windows, or benches. Let them repeat the outer line of the extension. Then arrange the dining table and chairs.
If a lot of guests come to you, you just need to spread the table and move it closer to the seats along the windows. On the other hand you put chairs. All fit with maximum comfort.
Tea Party
If the kitchen is located away from the living room, it is burdensome to constantly wear dishes to have lunch or dinner. But to arrange a tea party at a small table in comfortable chairs is quite possible.
Such a place equipped with a table and chairs can be used for conversation and admiring the surrounding landscape or in the evening with a starry sky.
Place for games
Children love to play in the bay window. There is a lot of light, non-standard for the rest of the room walls and an area separate from the common room. In this case, it is enough to simply leave the space under the windows free from furniture and provide it to the younger members of the family. It is only necessary to take care of the bay window heating and warm flooring.
Winter Garden and Eco-Style
There is an opinion that the bay window is incompatible with Eco-style, since there are plastic windows. This is not entirely true.
Firstly, in the design of modern interiors there is practically no one pure style. Usually the main direction is added by currents close to it.
Secondly, any style is determined by several main elements. Therefore, it is desirable to have wooden windows in the living room in a natural design, but you can focus on other decor items.
For the natural style, the most important element of the interior is living plants. The most convenient place for them in a bright bay window. So, regardless of style, you can arrange a conservatory in the protruding part of the room. Plants are not only beauty, but also cleaner indoor air. The eco-friendly living room will be more harmonious. And a room decorated in an eastern or other direction, where plants are not used, can be separated by a light curtain.
Curtains in a bay window
The most popular option is the use of cornices, which repeat the shape of the walls. But remember the main purpose of the bay window and do not block the access of light. Try to keep the curtains loose in between the windows and be light and light.
If you think it is necessary to shade the living room or the style of decoration requires this, then protect the area of the glazed annex with a heavy curtain along the border of the room. Then in the main room the light will be dim, and in the bay window there will be a kingdom of sun and air. At any time when you need light in the living room, you can pull away the barrier.
For the winter garden, light Roman curtains are suitable. They can be raised without touching plants. Such curtains for all areas of thematic interiors where they are used can be mounted directly on the upper cross-section of the window frame.
Bay window balcony
Sometimes the living area is large, and a balcony is made from the bay window. To do this, it is enough to put a glass partition and a door. Light can still enter the room. On such a balcony you get an isolated study or room for communication with friends.
In this case, it is necessary to conduct heating in the bay window. After all, the partition will limit the access of heat from the room. In the living room itself add fixtures and make a fairly strong lighting of the balcony in the evening.
The design of the divided rooms should not differ dramatically. You can partially change the tone of the walls or furniture. With a contrasting design, the living room and the bay window will visually look scattered and this will greatly reduce their space.
The bay window in the living room can be regarded as a gift from architects. It gives an opportunity to show imagination in interior design and create your own individual room.