Kitchen Bay Window Ideas For An Inviting Design

We often see bay windows in dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms, but not so much in the kitchen. Bay windows have been around for a long time, originating in the mansions from the English Renaissance period. While initially a mere ornamental feature that helps maximize daylight, it has been transformed to become more functional because of the additional space it gives.

Bay windows in the kitchens are often smaller, but they do provide an additional nook/shelf that you can use for display or storage and is simply a nice feature to have to make your design look brighter. They are frequently used in kitchens with a more traditional design style. The French-style bay window pictured above matches the existing cabinetry and finishes in the space. The opening is a little above the sink, making it a great area to use as a plant display shelf. See more types of windows here.

Kitchen With Bay Window Designs

Windows are always a welcome feature in any kitchen. It improves the space’s ambiance, making it easier to see and work in the kitchen during the day, saving you electricity costs.

Window Over Sink

The most common application of kitchen bay windows is above the counter in front of the sink area. It helps provide natural illumination and provides a space for a small shelf on its nook, which is really handy for placing plants or drying cooking items. A kitchen window over the sink should match the style and color of the others in the house. These windows can also have integral blinds, so the shutters are sandwiched between two glass panels, giving you a dust-free shade when the sun gets too strong.

Window Seat

For some, the most attractive part of bay windows is the additional space it gives you for a small sitting area. This can also be applied to bay windows, provided that you have enough wall space for its opening. A cozy window seat is a nice place to read or relax and soak in the sunlight. If you don’t have enough space for a design with a seat, you can always go for a smaller design appropriate for your kitchen size.

The best use of bay windows is making use of the additional space for seating. Using large French-style panes with a built-in bench can take advantage of additional floor space. One can add removable seat cushions and decorative pillows to complete the look. Aside from built-in seating, you can also use the space underneath the built-in bench as storage space. Using the window seating area for installed drawers helps create an extra space for linens.

If you’re not a fan of the idea of putting cushions in the kitchen, how about adding a matching countertop on the bay window seat/bench area? The smooth surface is durable enough to be used as a seat, and at the same time, it can also be used as an additional countertop surface. You won’t have to worry about moisture or stains with an easy-to-maintain granite top.

Window Treatments

Remember that if your kitchen is west-facing and you don’t have trees or any source of shade, the afternoon sun could be a little too strong. In addition, you may need privacy. In these cases, consider installing window treatments in your kitchen. Any treatments made for bay windows would work – curtains, shutters, and blinds – as long as they are sized appropriately.

A few of the best ones to use are:

• Roller shades
• Cellular shades
• Wood shades
• Valances
• Plantation shutters
• Cafe curtains
• Roman shades
• Wood blinds

Dining Nook

The expansive viewing area in this kitchen’s dining nook gives the space a different dimension. The concave walls would be perfect for round table set-ups or banquette dining layouts.

Garden Window

While typical bay windows only have three sides, a garden style has four – 2 on the sides, one in the center, and another one at the top. A bracket-type glass shelf can be installed in the design, making it a functional small space. This kitchen window style can have a frosted coating on the topmost glass panel to control the light coming in.

Window Cost

The cost of a bay window will depend on the material, size, and installation costs in your area. They cost more than ordinary windows and are typically around $1200 to $3500. The cost of the installation alone typically runs from $300 to $600. Bay windows are available in many different materials, such as metal, wood, and vinyl, just like normal types. If you have other existing windows on the floor plan, it is best to choose a style or color that matches the others, or the overall architectural style of the house so that it blends in.

For more ideas check out our gallery of kitchen pass through windows here.