Made-to-measure curtain track fitted around an awkward bay window with cream curtains.”

Bay windows can be a beautiful feature in a room, but when it comes to choosing a curtain track, their shape can sometimes raise more questions than expected. What happens if the sides aren't equal? What if the angles are slightly different? And can you still have the curtain arrangement you want when furniture limits the space around the window?

These were exactly the concerns raised by a customer who recently contacted The Curtain Pole & Track Company about an awkward bay window.

The customer’s challenge: an uneven bay window

The customer had already measured his bay window but wasn't confident that its irregular shape would work with the curtain arrangement he had in mind.

The bay had two bends, but the sections weren't completely symmetrical. The side windows differed slightly in size, and even the angles appeared to vary from one side of the bay to the other.

He wanted to use four curtains in total, with two covering the central area and two positioned towards the sides. However, simply dividing the available space equally wasn't possible because the window itself wasn't equal.

There was another complication, too.

Fitted furniture close to one side of the bay meant there wasn't much spare room beyond the window for a return. With several measurements, different angles and limited space to consider, it was understandable that the customer wanted someone to look at the whole window rather than trying to work everything out from measurements alone.

Does a bay window have to be symmetrical for a curtain track?

An irregular bay isn't necessarily a reason to abandon the idea of a made-to-measure curtain track.

During the conversation, the customer explained that there was around 10cm of space at the sides, although the measurements and angles differed slightly.

His concern was met with a reassuring observation from the team:

“We see the strangest shapes as windows.”

In other words, unusual window shapes are something the team encounters regularly.

Rather than assuming that every bay window will have identical sections and angles, the important first step is understanding the window that's actually there.

Can a curtain track stop before fitted furniture?

Furniture, cabinetry and other features close to a bay window are worth considering when planning the track.

In this particular enquiry, the customer was concerned that the fitted furniture wouldn't leave enough space for the track arrangement he expected.

The team explained that if a return wasn't required, the track could be considered at the length needed for the available space, stopping before the furniture rather than automatically extending beyond it.

It is a good example of why an awkward bay is best looked at as an individual window rather than trying to force it into a standard configuration.

What should you do if your bay window is difficult to measure?

The customer had measurements, but he also asked a very sensible question: could he send a photograph?

The answer was yes.

For a more complicated bay, photographs can provide useful context alongside the dimensions you've taken. The team asked the customer to send pictures together with his existing measurements so they could review the window and then request any additional information needed.

You also don't need to know every piece of curtain-track terminology before getting in touch. As the customer himself put it when describing the limited space:

“…an overlap or return or whatever you call it…”

That didn't prevent the conversation from moving forward. What mattered was explaining the window, the available space and what he wanted his curtains to do.

An awkward bay window doesn't have to mean guesswork

Bay windows aren't always perfectly symmetrical. One side may be longer than another, angles can vary and furniture or other room features may restrict the available space.

If you're looking at your own bay and wondering whether its unusual shape makes a curtain track difficult, send us photographs along with the measurements you already have.

The Curtain Pole & Track Company can review the information you've provided and identify anything else needed to understand your requirements. For suitable projects, our made-to-measure approach, professional bending services and excellent craftsmanship can help create a solution shaped around the individual window rather than expecting the window to fit a standard layout.

Sometimes the most useful first step is simply showing us the window you're working with.