Houses with a bay window: photos, design features

Recently, builders have been decorating almost every modern residential building and even office buildings with such an architectural element as a bay window. This German word refers to the part of the structure of the house, protruding from the planes of the facades. The original detail gives the building not only an aristocratic look, but also gives room for imagination. In addition, bay windows are usually glazed along the entire perimeter, which improves the parameters of illumination and insolation. The article will focus on the design of houses with a bay window.

The origin of the bay window

His ancestors are the sites of ancient castles. Initially, architectural ledges were intended for viewing and shooting from the walls of the fortress. Thanks to them, the enemy that appeared on the adjacent territory was visible from afar. It was time to get ready to fight back.
Later, the bay window was used only for peaceful purposes. The height of the towers became smaller, and the narrow openings for loopholes turned into beautiful panoramic windows. The protruding figured part of the facade began to be used by architects to give the appearance of residential buildings elegance and aristocracy. History has not preserved the name of the first architect who first came up with this idea.

Quite different reasons were for the construction of bay windows in high-rise buildings of Stalin's times. Then the architectural ledges were included in the designs of houses not for decoration. In the era of industrialization of Russia in the 1930s and 1950s, this was not the main thing. It’s just that houses with bay windows were more profitable in terms of performance compared to buildings without protruding structures.
In them, thanks to the bay window, the living area of the premises increased with the same type of layout and building area, the time of using natural light was extended, which means that electricity was saved. In addition, there was an opportunity to give individuality to the interior of housing.
The bay windows did not fit into the budget options of small-sized "Khrushchev" and later standard five-story buildings. But other times have come. Today, in housing construction, a bay window, as an architectural decoration, is at the peak of popularity. It allows you to get away from the patterns of mass construction, emphasize individuality and excellent design taste.

Variety of bay windows

For projects of houses of various types, different geometry of architectural ledges is used. This is due to the features of the supporting structures and the qualities of the main building materials to take the desired shape.

The most common form is square or rectangular. It does not require complex structures and is easily designed in brick houses, block houses, as well as frame and panel building projects. Such protrusions fit into the interior of any style without any problems, even without knowledge of design laws. Despite their simplicity, they are effective and practical.

round shape traditionally called an element of the Venetian style. Such a bay window easily fits into any corner of the building or in the center of one of the walls. It is more commonly seen in brick and block houses. Less common in panel and frame houses due to the complexity of calculations and installation. In buildings made of timber and logs, this form of bay windows cannot be used.
semicircular shape the bay window, of course, stands out for its elegance. But only in the case of a well-chosen design solution. Otherwise, the facade of the building will look clumsy and even funny.
The complex design of a multifaceted bay window- an intermediate version of traditional forms. It is most often used in houses made of timber, but is suitable for buildings made of other materials. Allows you to use a lot of design options.

Features of one-story and two-story houses with a bay window

In the project of a one-story house, a bay window can be placed on either side of the facade. It can go both to the street and to the courtyard or garden. As a rule, the entrance to the bay window is located from the living room or bedroom.
This architectural element looks great if you place it along the entire length of the perimeter with access to either side. In this way, you can significantly improve the illumination of the interior with sunlight. For exquisite decorativeness of the protruding part of the facade, stained-glass type colored glazing can be used.
In houses with two floors, the bay window in one version is built into the wall of the first floor, the balcony platform serves as the roof of the protruding structure. Some prefer a project with a 2-story bay window. Layout options with 2-3 bay windows are not excluded, but a large glass area can cause heat loss.

Design of a house with a bay window photo

Therefore, specialists should deal with the design and most accurate construction of the bay window. Even a small mistake in calculations and installation can lead to skew walls or ceilings, which will adversely affect the strength and durability of the structure. By the way, it is not at all necessary to build a bay window at the same time as the building of the house itself. It can be attached later.

Features of the construction of houses with a bay window

When dreaming of a city mansion, a country house or a country house with a bay window, you must remember that its design and creation of a comfortable atmosphere will require more effort than in a typical house. It is especially necessary to pay special attention to the choice of materials for the implementation of the idea, because the bay window design:

increases the complexity of construction work in comparison with a conventional project;
increases the number of corners, which causes a weakening of the rigidity of the building;
requires additional costs for insulation and glazing.

But such a house has a unique personality and a cozy atmosphere.

Projects of houses with a bay window

For the construction of a house with spectacular ledges on the facade, according to experts, foam blocks, torn brick laid in the Bavarian masonry method, or timber are best suited.

Project doma with bay window photo

For the installation of such buildings, the technology of monolithic construction with polystyrene fixed formwork is often used. As a rule, bay windows are built from the same materials as the main building. The more original their configuration, the more refined the appearance of the house and the more opportunities for design solutions inside it.
For example, the interior of a house made of timber with a bay window allows you to combine elements from other styles. For example, a minimalist kitchen and a high-tech ledge. A polyhedron or a hemisphere of a glazed bay window looks especially advantageous when the light is on there. This feature alone can become the “highlight” of the interior.
If the house is two-story, you can design a two-story living room with a large panoramic window, and put a natural wood staircase in this room.

How is a bay window used in the interior?

It is better to think about how the protruding area will fit into the overall interior, what functions it will perform and what style to choose a design for at the design stage. There are no strict rules. The main thing is not to spoil one of its main advantages - the ability to let light flows into the room.

Elements such as false columns, arches, cornices, pilasters and mirror surfaces give uniqueness to rooms with a bay window. For example, designers like to decorate classic-style interiors with polyurethane columns on both sides of the bay window entrance. Such details practically do not take up space, and emphasize the individuality and richness of the situation.
For the walls of a bay window niche, mirror surfaces can be an excellent decor solution. Their ability to reflect plays on the expansion of space and adds illumination.
A bay window with a height equal to the house can be used as an additional source of light. The protruding part of the facade with this option is not divided by interfloor ceilings, which makes it possible for the manifestation of creative fantasies.

It is not at all necessary to make the main focus of the interior composition on the bay window. It is enough with the help of decorative elements to allocate its small area into a separate zone. This solution fits well into the decor of the living room or kitchen. Panoramic windows add sunlight, warmth and comfort to an attractive interior.
Some prefer original ledges in children's and bedrooms and even in the bathroom. The choice of furniture for the bay window - small canapés or low cabinet cabinets with or without an ornament depends on the purpose for which it will be used. The selection of textiles and other decorative accessories also depends on this.
Curtains on special cornices that repeat the geometry or roller blinds are ideal for decorating. The classic style is emphasized by floor-length fabric curtains, curtains tacked with a lambrequin, or as an “Egyptian sleeve” with an original overlay. For the decor of wide bay windows, the entire amazingly beautiful assortment of lambrequins, stylish garlands, and original cascades is ideal.

Bay window design tricks

In addition to personal preferences, the color scheme is selected necessarily taking into account the area of \u200b\u200bthe room. Because warm shades will add warmth and comfort, but visually the room will seem smaller. And the cold colors of decorative materials, visually pushing the boundaries of the room, will give the atmosphere of the room a touch of formality.

Finding the golden mean allows the use of zoning secrets. For example, warm shades in a seating area located in a triangular bay window will allow you to save space, thanks to the abundance of natural light.
Cold shades in the decor of the main room will visually expand its dimensions. However, in this case, sharp contrasts are unacceptable. The main principle is the harmonious combination of colors and smooth transition from zone to zone. For example, white and green look good with yellow, beige with brown. Restrained chic to red tones will add silver shades.
A panoramic window in the kitchen or kitchen-living room is a convenient dining area. At the dining table by the window, both family members and guests are comfortable. The table can be placed on a podium or make room by laying a floor covering with a different pattern.
A bay window can perform a variety of functions, continuing the living area to create a reading corner or for heart-to-heart conversations. Softly falling curtains and decorative pillows made of the same fabric will add coziness. And lamps with halogen bulbs - romance and mystery.
Grace and aristocracy will be added to the atmosphere by a small round-shaped electric fireplace in white tones installed in the bay window. A pair of rocking chairs next to it will perfectly emphasize country or ethnic style. If desired and financially possible, you can equip a real fireplace and, with flashes of a real fire, feel like an aristocrat.
Placement in the bay window of a place to work can be successful. Instead of the rectangle of a regular table, the original oval or triangular configuration easily fits into a projecting niche. It can be separated from the bedroom with a “book” of a screen. Another option is a partition made of a translucent material.

The functions of a bay window as a corner for a child depend on his age. For a student, it can become a place for study, as there is excellent lighting. For the kid - a zone of games and storage of toys.
For nature lovers, the bay window is an ideal room for a winter garden. Flowers and plants do not react to the noise behind the glass and do not interfere with the penetration of natural light. The abundance of space and light allows you to put them everywhere, on the windowsill, coasters, shelves, in flowerpots on the floor, hanging planters. Surrounded by such a cascade of greenery, the room becomes an indispensable place for relaxation. Especially under the murmur of water in a decorative fountain.
The area of small ledges-niches is an ideal place to place an original sculptural figure, grand piano, piano, harp or other very large musical instrument. Such a zone fits well into the interior of the hall, library and living room. Its design does not tolerate pretentiousness and multicolor. The uniformity of the decor is preferable.

Zoning and decorating home space is an individual matter. Designers believe that there are no strict criteria. The main thing is the observance of proportions, combinations of shapes and shades and the personal preferences of the owner.

Houses with a bay window: photos, design features