Pelmets For Bay Windows: A Practical Guide

Pelmets can look great in many different types of windows, but fitting them in bay windows brings its own challenges. Our practical guide will explain how to approach this issue to ensure your bay window pelmets meet all your practical and aesthetic aims.

Whether you don’t know a pelmet from a helmet or have used them before, it is important to know why the approach to bay windows needs to be different.

What Is A Pelmet And What Are Its Benefits?

A pelmet is a box-shaped structure located at the top of the curtains that covers the curtain fixtures. Traditionally made of lightweight timber, they can also be made of fabric. Often, they are made of wood with a fabric covering.

They have both aesthetic and practical functions.

•       By concealing the curtain fittings, hooks and rods, they make the curtains look neater
•       Decorated pelmets can add extra colour and style
•       They insulate the room by limiting the flow of air to the top of a window, which reduces the convection currents that normally occur
•       They can also reduce the amount of light coming into the room from outside by blocking off gaps at the top of the curtains

What Size Should A Pelmet Be?

A key decision with any pelmet is the size. They should be at least 15 cm thick. The larger they are, the more sunlight they can block out. Larger pelmets are better suited to bedrooms, especially if you are sensitive to a lot of light and may find sleeping hard in the summer.

However, other rooms, such as those mainly used in the daytime, may benefit from smaller pelmets that block out less light and maximise the limited sun you will receive in the winter.

This combination of practicality and aesthetics means that pelmets are well worth installing on your curtains, whatever type of windows you have. According to Homes and Gardens, they are enjoying a major revival in popularity in 2026.

Why Is Fitting Pelmets In Bay Windows Challenging?

However, there is one obvious issue with fitting them in bay windows. With most windows, a pelmet will have a single, straight-edge span from one side to the other, so your pelmet would consist of a single elongated box running in a straight line from one edge to the other.

In bay windows, such simplicity vanishes, as the shape means there are multiple panes of glass set at various angles.

The only way a single straight pelmet would work would be if the bay window is in a section set back from the rest of the room, with a lower ceiling, effectively jutting out from an internal wall that provides a flat, straight surface under a higher ceiling in the middle of the room.

This configuration provides room to hang curtains from that straight wall. However, if you add pelmets to them, the large space between the curtains and the windows will negate the practical benefits of curbing air flow and convection currents that pelmets usually provide.

Therefore, the most practical solution is to have a custom-shaped pelmet, which will usually be a custom-cut single-piece item, rather than multiple sections joined together.  

Designing and making a pelmet that fits perfectly in a bay window is certainly complex, as the shape can resemble half an octagon, while the window sizes and angles will vary.

This requires more precise measuring and alignment, as well as more craft and skill in creating a bespoke pelmet. This is not something you can find off-the-shelf or make easily in a DIY project.

How Do We Provide Bespoke Pelmets For Bay Windows?

That is why it makes sense to have a bespoke design that is crafted according to the exact specifications of your bay window, as these vary from one home to the next. This is what we can provide.

If you want pelmets fitted in your bay window, we can proceed in the following fashion:

•       The first step is to carry out an inspection and measurements of the window, including taking a first fix to ensure a perfect fit that matches the angle
•       The size would be made according to your needs, which may include space for two curtain rails
•       The base material will still be hardwood, covered in interlining and then a fabric that you can choose from our extensive range
•       We can offer advice on the most suitable fabric options for your décor, although the final choice is yours
•       As with any other pelmets, the design can reflect your décor choices, complement the curtains and provide the amount of light reduction that is appropriate for the room

The final result will be a beautiful pelmet that fits perfectly with the contours of your bay window, ensuring it provides all the benefits that a pelmet should.