26 Beautiful Bow Window Ideas With Pros And Cons

beautiful bow window ideas with pros and cons

Windows are indispensable for every space but most of us percept them as a light source and not as a decor feature. But what is I say that a window can be a gorgeous design element that will change the game? I’m speaking of bow windows that are very beautiful, deliver much light and add charm to any room. Never heard of them? What about bay windows? Let’s find out the difference between these two and advantages of bow windows.

A bay window is the combination of three or more windows that angle out beyond the exterior wall. Similar to bay windows, bow windows extend beyond the exterior wall, but sweep away from the wall in a graceful arch of four, five, or six windows. This elegant window style is typically larger than the bay window style and has more glass area because of a curve in lieu of corners.

Pros

Bow windows are ideal for exterior walls or corners where 80 inches or more can be allocated. A flexible option, they include four or more fixed or vented windows that let you choose a custom combination that speaks to your design preferences and home. Bow windows tend to be wider and can even be installed around the corner of the house.

Since bow windows are made with more panes of glass and less framing, they are often better at capturing more light than bay windows. Of course, their ability to serve this purpose depends much more on the other architectural and landscaping features of your building, so taking the whole picture into consideration is key.

Bow windows offer enough space for creating a windowsill daybed or loveseat in there or even a whole dining space if the window is large enough, that’s amazing for those who love natural light, love reading by sunlight or dreaming looking at the sunset – such a gorgeous nook you get!

As for treatments, they are usually skipped for two main reasons – it’s hard to find a proper treatment and you usually make such windows for more light and views, so why covering them then? Skipping window treatments will save your money but you should keep in mind that if you suddenly want to have a rest from lots of sunlight in, you won’t be able to do that here. Looking to flood your home with natural light and bring nature inside? Choose the expansive views offered by bow windows!

A beautiful Parisian chic living room with a bow window with refined frames, a grye sofa that is placed in the niche, chic furniture and molding on the ceiling.

A beautiful Parisian chic living room with a bow window with refined frames, a grye sofa that is placed in the niche, chic furniture and molding on the ceiling.

A boho living room with a leather sofa, a rattan table, a gallery wall and potted plants filled with light through a bow window.

A boho living room with a leather sofa, a rattan table, a gallery wall and potted plants filled with light through a bow window.

A charming cottage dining space with a bow window, a windowsill seating, a round table and neutral chairs plus a vintage chandelier.

A charming cottage dining space with a bow window, a windowsill seating, a round table and neutral chairs plus a vintage chandelier.

A contemporary living room with open shelves and storage units, with a bow window with a built-in daybed and pillows, a green chair and a grey sofa.

A contemporary living room with open shelves and storage units, with a bow window with a built-in daybed and pillows, a green chair and a grey sofa.

A contemporary neutral space done with a bow window, with a built-in windowsill bed, neutral and printed bedding and neutral curtains.

A contemporary neutral space done with a bow window, with a built-in windowsill bed, neutral and printed bedding and neutral curtains.

A cool bow window with a windowsill daybed and storage drawers inside plus colorful pillows is a cool idea for any home.

A cool bow window with a windowsill daybed and storage drawers inside plus colorful pillows is a cool idea for any home.

A cozy farmhouse nook with a bow window, a windowsill banquette seating, a wooden table and wooden chairs plus a retro lamp.

A cozy farmhouse nook with a bow window, a windowsill banquette seating, a wooden table and wooden chairs plus a retro lamp.

A cozy pastel interior with a bow window, a built-in windowsill daybed with pillows, a round rug and a pink chair.

A cozy pastel interior with a bow window, a built-in windowsill daybed with pillows, a round rug and a pink chair.

A gorgeous bow window with an upholstered built-in bench and a fantastic view of the sea is amazing.

A gorgeous bow window with an upholstered built-in bench and a fantastic view of the sea is amazing.

A gorgeous bow window with doors to the garden, with mosaic framing over them, potted greenery, a pink chair is a fantastic space.

A gorgeous bow window with doors to the garden, with mosaic framing over them, potted greenery, a pink chair is a fantastic space.

A large bow window with a built-in windowsill daybed, with neutral and muted-colored textiles and printed curtains.

A large bow window with a built-in windowsill daybed, with neutral and muted-colored textiles and printed curtains.

Cons

If air circulation is important in your room, think carefully before choosing bow windows. While opening bow windows can be installed, they are sometimes more expensive or can disrupt the overall flow of the windows’ elegant curvature, making them less desirable.

Both bay and bow windows are pricey, bow windows, however, have the potential to demand extra engineering in certain cases, which means even more costs. Keep it in mind while choosing between these two expensive types of windows or even stick to usual ones if you aren’t ready to pay much. Now you know all the advantages and disadvantages, would you order bow windows?

A little bow window on the stairs, with a windowsill seat, a pillow and a blanket is a very cozy nook to spend some time here.

A little bow window on the stairs, with a windowsill seat, a pillow and a blanket is a very cozy nook to spend some time here.

A lovel modern living room with a bow window, a grey sectional, pastel pillows, a round table and an ottoman plus potted plants.

A lovel modern living room with a bow window, a grey sectional, pastel pillows, a round table and an ottoman plus potted plants.

A lovely and cozy space with a bow window finished wiht a built-in daybed, with dusty pink bedding and some shades.

A lovely and cozy space with a bow window finished wiht a built-in daybed, with dusty pink bedding and some shades.

A monochromatic nook at the bow window with black framing, with neutral curtains and a built-in sofa, a black round table.

A monochromatic nook at the bow window with black framing, with neutral curtains and a built-in sofa, a black round table.

A neutral and airy living room done in greys, with a bow window, some daybeds, neutral furniture, a floor lamp and potted plants.

A neutral and airy living room done in greys, with a bow window, some daybeds, neutral furniture, a floor lamp and potted plants.

A neutral modern living room with a bow window styled with shutters and neutral curtains, a grey sofa, a jute rug and a wooden table.

A neutral modern living room with a bow window styled with shutters and neutral curtains, a grey sofa, a jute rug and a wooden table.

A Nordic bedroom in white, with a bow window and much light, plus touches of black for more drama.

A Nordic bedroom in white, with a bow window and much light, plus touches of black for more drama.

A refined living room with a large curved bow window space that is turned into a seating space with a large built-in daybed, a crystal chandelier and a chair.

A refined living room with a large curved bow window space that is turned into a seating space with a large built-in daybed, a crystal chandelier and a chair.

A refined neutral living room with white furniture, rust-colored pillows,a vintage desk and chair by the bow window.

A refined neutral living room with white furniture, rust-colored pillows,a vintage desk and chair by the bow window.

A refined space with a bow window and a daybed on the windowsill, refined chairs and glass and metal tables.

A refined space with a bow window and a daybed on the windowsill, refined chairs and glass and metal tables.

A rustic dining space with an oversized bow window with a gorgeous view, a simple wooden dining set and decorative baskets.

A rustic dining space with an oversized bow window with a gorgeous view, a simple wooden dining set and decorative baskets.

A Scandinavian kid's room with a bunk bed, a bow window with a windowsukk daybed and some storage compartments.

A Scandinavian kid's room with a bunk bed, a bow window with a windowsukk daybed and some storage compartments.

A Scandinavian space with a bow window, a windowsill daybed with firewood storage and lots of potted greenery is very cozy.

A Scandinavian space with a bow window, a windowsill daybed with firewood storage and lots of potted greenery is very cozy.

A Scandinavian space with a large bow window and an upholstered daybed by its side plus driftwood arrangements on the windowsill.

A Scandinavian space with a large bow window and an upholstered daybed by its side plus driftwood arrangements on the windowsill.

A welcoming modern living room with a large bow window, a built-in daybed with pillows, a neutral sofa and a chic glass table.

A welcoming modern living room with a large bow window, a built-in daybed with pillows, a neutral sofa and a chic glass table.