As a landscape architect, I’ve learned that the right bay window can utterly transform a home’s curb appeal. Let’s explore sixteen of my favorite ways to make your exterior bay window the highlight of your house.
What If You Added Outdoor Lighting?
After sunset, I use soft uplighting beneath bay windows to highlight their shape and create a welcoming nighttime glow. It’s a trick I borrowed from hotel landscaping—it makes even a small home feel grand.
These products might be useful:
- Outdoor LED Uplights: Highlight your bay window’s architecture and add curb appeal with simple-to-install outdoor LED uplights today.
- Waterproof Garden Spotlights: Illuminate garden paths and bay windows with waterproof spotlights for a subtle and inviting evening ambiance.
- Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Kit: Upgrade your home’s exterior with a low voltage landscape lighting kit for professional-looking nighttime illumination.
Create Drama With Contrasting Paint
I once advised a client to paint their bay window trim a deep charcoal against crisp white siding, and it instantly made the whole façade pop. The bold color contrast drew every eye to the window and gave the home fresh, modern energy.
Essentials for this look:
- Exterior charcoal or deep gray paint for wood trim: Transform your bay window trim with bold exterior paint and instantly highlight your home’s best architectural feature.
- Exterior paintbrush and roller set: Achieve precise lines and smooth coverage on window trim using a professional-grade paintbrush and roller set.
- Painter’s tape for sharp paint edges: Ensure crisp, clean lines on bay window trim with high-quality exterior painter’s tape for a striking result.
Add Flower Boxes for Instant Charm
Nothing beats the impact of lush flower boxes under a bay window—especially in spring when blooms spill over the ledge. I’ve found that mixing trailing vines with bright annuals wakes up even the sleepiest front yard.
Might be a good match:
- Window Flower Box Planter: Boost your curb appeal by installing classic window flower box planters under your bay windows with ease.
- Self-Watering Planter Boxes: Reduce plant care stress by opting for self-watering planter boxes that keep your blooms thriving longer.
- Hanging Trailing Plants for Outdoors: Add instant lushness by planting colorful trailing vines for a cascading effect from your flower boxes.
Why Not Go Two Stories High?
One of my most memorable projects was adding a two-story bay window to a stucco home, which flooded both floors with natural light and became the home’s signature. If you’re craving architectural drama, this is my go-to move.
Consider these options:
- Adjustable Bay Window Curtain Rod: Frame your two-story bay window beautifully by installing flexible curtain rods made for large or tall spaces.
- Motorized Smart Blinds for Bay Windows: Effortlessly control sunlight and privacy on both levels with motorized blinds tailored to multi-story bay windows.
- Bay Window Cushions and Seating Bench: Create a cozy sitting nook in your bay window with made-to-fit cushions and elegant seating benches.
Blend In for Subtle Sophistication
I learned the hard way that not every bay window needs to scream for attention—sometimes, painting the window to match the siding creates a seamless, elegant look. On my own home, this trick lets the garden and window frame each other without competing.
Suitable options for this:
- Exterior paint for wood siding and trim: Refresh and unify your bay window look by selecting paint that perfectly matches your home’s siding color.
- High-quality exterior painter’s tape: Achieve crisp, professional edges around your bay window with reliable exterior painter’s tape for clean results.
- Angled sash paintbrush for window trim: Use an angled paintbrush for precise coverage and sharp lines on detailed bay window trim work.
Let Stonework Steal The Show
When a client wanted rustic curb appeal, I wrapped their bay window in natural stone and it became the jewel of the façade. The texture and earthy tones gave the whole house a grounded, timeless quality.
A few useful items:
- Natural stone veneer panels for exterior walls: Upgrade your bay window surround with easy-to-install natural stone veneer for a rustic, timeless facade.
- Landscape edging stones: Define your walkway and garden beds with durable edging stones that complement your bay window stonework.
- Outdoor masonry adhesive: Secure your exterior stone veneer projects with weather-resistant outdoor masonry adhesive for lasting results.
Could Your Bay Window Double as a Mini Porch?
I once transformed the space beneath a client’s bay window into a cozy patio nook, complete with garden chairs and a small table. The window backdrop made it feel like a secret garden room—an unexpected delight for guests.
You might like:
- Outdoor bistro table and chairs set: Add charm to your bay window area with a compact bistro set—perfect for relaxing or tea time.
- Weather-resistant outdoor throw pillows: Brighten up your seating area and improve comfort with stylish, durable outdoor throw pillows.
- Small decorative outdoor flower pot: Personalize your patio nook with flower pots—create a welcoming atmosphere with seasonal blooms.
Cap It With a Copper Awning
During a rainy Portland winter, I added a hand-crafted copper awning above a bay window for a client. The sound of rain on metal, paired with the warm patina, brought a rich sensory layer to their entryway.
Some relevant options:
- Copper Window Awning Kit: Upgrade your bay window exterior with a durable copper awning kit for lasting beauty and protection.
- Weather-Resistant Exterior Copper Spray Paint: Refresh or touch up your awning’s look using weather-resistant copper spray paint for lasting color vibrancy.
- Copper Patina Restoration Kit: Maintain your awning’s rich, natural patina with a specialized copper restoration kit designed for exterior use.
Frame With Lush Evergreen Hedges
A lesson learned: low-growing evergreen hedges anchor bay windows visually and look great year-round, even when the perennials are sleeping. I often use boxwood or yew to create structured green borders that frame the glass beautifully.
Items that might be helpful:
- Live Boxwood Evergreen Shrubs: Enhance curb appeal and create a timeless frame for your bay window with hardy live boxwood shrubs.
- Decorative Garden Hedge Shears: Keep your evergreen hedges neat and beautiful year-round—precision shears make trimming fast and easy.
- Organic Evergreen Shrub Fertilizer: Support healthy, vibrant growth for your hedges with easy-to-use evergreen fertilizer sticks or granules.
Maximize Views With Floor-to-Ceiling Glass
Modern bay windows with floor-to-ceiling glass blur the line between indoors and out, as I discovered designing a lakeside home last year. The panoramic effect is breathtaking and makes even a small room feel expansive.
Possibly handy products:
- Floor-to-ceiling window privacy film: Enhance privacy without blocking natural light—apply stylish privacy film to your floor-to-ceiling bay windows.
- Modern minimalist curtain panels for tall windows: Control sunlight and add elegance—install minimalist curtain panels tailored for tall, expansive glass windows.
- Automated smart window shades: Adjust the perfect amount of light with smart shades designed for floor-to-ceiling bay windows.
Bold Claim: Window Boxes Aren’t Just for Flowers
I once filled a bay window box with aromatic herbs—rosemary, thyme, and lavender—for a client who loved to cook. The scent drifts in through the open window, making the kitchen and garden feel like one space.
The toolkit for this idea:
- Wooden Window Box Planter: Add rustic charm to your bay window while growing herbs or greenery just outside your kitchen.
- Herb Garden Starter Kit: Start your own fresh kitchen herb collection with an easy-to-use herb garden starter kit today.
- Organic Herb Potting Soil: Support healthy herb growth with organic potting soil, perfect for window boxes and culinary gardens.
Dare to Go Curved
Curved bay windows are rare, but the one I designed for a mid-century ranch made the home look like a jewel box. The gentle arc catches light differently throughout the day, adding a subtle dynamic to the exterior.
What you might need:
- Custom Curved Curtain Rods: Enhance your curved bay window with a flexible rod for tailored curtains and a seamless look.
- Bay Window Cushioned Bench: Create a cozy seating nook with a curved bench designed to fit your unique bay window space.
- Adjustable Window Film for Privacy: Maintain privacy while letting in light with decorative films suited for large, curved window surfaces.
Accent With Crisp Shutters
Pairing a bay window with custom shutters is my go-to for classic curb appeal, especially on brick or clapboard homes. The structure and color of the shutters frame the glass like a picture within a picture.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Exterior Vinyl Shutters: Add an instant classic touch to your bay windows with easy-to-install exterior vinyl shutters.
- Shutter Mounting Hardware Kit: Make installation a breeze by ordering a full mounting hardware kit designed for durable, secure hold.
- Outdoor Paint for Shutters: Refresh your shutters with weather-resistant exterior paint to achieve a customized, long-lasting look.
What About a Built-in Bench Outside?
For a client who loved to linger outdoors, I built a low stone bench under the bay window, perfect for morning coffee or sunset watching. The bench doubles as extra seating for garden parties and a spot for potted plants.
Some handy options:
- Weather-resistant outdoor bench cushion: Add comfort and style to your stone bench with a durable, weather-resistant cushion designed for outdoor use.
- Decorative outdoor throw pillows: Create a cozy seating nook by adding colorful outdoor throw pillows that enhance comfort and visual appeal.
- Outdoor ceramic flower pots: Display seasonal blooms and greenery with decorative outdoor ceramic pots for easy plant arrangement around your bench.
Unexpected: Mix Materials for Maximum Impact
My most unconventional bay window project combined cedar siding, black metal trim, and a brick base—an eclectic mix that turned heads on the block. Sometimes unexpected material pairings can make a bay window truly unforgettable.
Items that may come in handy:
- Exterior Cedar Siding Panels: Elevate your home’s curb appeal with modern cedar siding—add warmth and contrast to any bay window project.
- Black Metal Window Trim Kit: Achieve a sleek, modern look around your bay window with easy-to-install black metal trim kits.
- Decorative Brick Veneer Panels: Add architectural character to your bay window base with realistic brick veneer panels for exterior use.