10 Bay Window Design Ideas for HDB & Condo in Singapore: Cushions, cabinets, bed, seat, study table
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What to do with the bay window? Bay windows can be "space eaters". When not properly designed and optimised, bay windows could prove to be a complete waste of precious real estate space - especially if bay windows lined all along your home's perimeters!
The bay window problem is much more common that you'd think right here in Singapore! A condominium unit at Arc@Draycott was caught in this situation. The condo unit's bay windows took up 7.5% of the apartment's total floor area! (Click here to jump to the Arc@Draycott section of this article.)
As the bay window is the often the brightest spot of a room, you should try to site the desk or bed there. Depending on the room's proportions and layout, you can either place the bed on top of the wide window ledge, or build out a desktop that sits on top of the ledge.
The trick is to custom-build and carpentry everything. If you are stacking your bed frame over the bay window is, the mattress can sit on a platform that extends out from the bay window ledge, with the extension thus creating a useful cupboard below the bed.
If you are making use of the bay window to house a study table, customise the desk such that it extends outwards beyond the edge of the bay window to ensure enough legroom while you sit at the desk. You can do without desk legs, so the space will be more open and feel less congested.
The bespoke study table, which is cantilevered over the window ledge, moves along its length. A cutout at one corner of the TV feature wall gives it an asymmetrical look.
Bay Window Study Table
The bespoke bay window study table designed by interior design firm Substance Living is cantilevered over the window ledge, and moves along the window length. A cutout at one corner of the TV feature wall gives it an asymmetrical look.
The study features some of the couple’s mementoes and a wide window seat that doubles as a daybed with throw cushions.
This above pictured bay window study desk features some of the homeowner couple’s mementoes. A wide bay window seat that doubles as a daybed with throw cushions. Interior design by Fuse Concept.
Resting one end of the study table on the bay window ledge maximises the floor area in the girl's room.
Homeowner and avid shutterbug, Raymond, dressed up the wall side of the shelf in his home office with an art piece featuring
vintage cameras. This draws the eye from that “blocky” surface and leads it into the room.
A curved bookshelf breaks the boxiness of the room and gives the space a sense of movement. The study can be closed off completely despite the open weave of the steel mesh as there is a layer of glass sandwiched in between.
The bay window ledge was extended to create an adjacent study table in this condominium unit at Chestervale. Interior design by The Orange Cube.
A cabinet that hangs from the ceiling uses the vertical volume of the study for storage space. The side shelves make it easy to retrieve books.
A silk carpet from The Orientalist adds a soft touch to the study's nearly full-height cabinetry.
The home office houses a spacious but discreet wardrobe
hidden behind tinted black sliding glass panels, which are a contemporary take on the industrial look.
Bay Window Partition Frame
While bay windows are often seen as an undesirable feature that eats up precious floor space, all it needs is a little creativity to turn it into a striking element. Frame the bay window up to emphasise its depth and create a bolder design statement.
Cushions turn the bay window in the living room into a comfortable perch. Interior design by Metaphor Studio
The bay window in the study allows for a relaxation corner and enhances the American loft feel.
Uneven cabinet storage cabinets at bay window area of this condominium unit at The Calrose. Interior design by Story Of Us.
Bay Window Cabinets
Uneven cabinet storage cabinets at bay window area of this condominium unit at The Calrose. Interior design by Story Of Us.
The interior designer at KZ Designs suggested a green theme for the guestroom as it’s a fresh yet relaxing colour.
The colour scheme of this room was inspired by some of the most famous fashion brands, The room was designed in mind of brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel. (Total Renovation costs: $150,000)
Bay Window Vanity
The colour scheme of this master bedroom was inspired by some of the most famous fashion brands, The bedroom was designed in mind of luxury fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Total renovation cost $150,000.
Homeowner, Gina, works from home, sharing the study with her husband’s instruments. The ceiling in a dove grey echoes the concrete wall. Interior design by Whiz Concepts
Wood flooring, display shelves and elements help soften the apartment’s “openness and bring warmth to the interiors. The homeowner's book collection and display items make a decor statement in the glass-walled study room. Interior design by Free Space Intent
The bay window was turned into a desk where the husband can work at night without disturbing his spouse. Coffee hues, from espresso-dark wood furniture to cafe au lait walls, tie the look together. Interior design by Benjeemen Heng ID
Bay Window Condo Design
This condo within Waterfront Waves condominium at Bedok Reservoir has three rooms with built-in bay windows. Instead of letting the platform area go to waste, the designers at Space Factor came up with three unique space-efficient solutions that will make you re-think the potential of bay windows.
Pictured above, additional built-in storage is created by installing an open back shelf and slim drawers on the platform. Keeping the carpentry slim also allows more natural light to pass through.
Instead of taking up floor space to erect a conventional study desk, install it atop the bay window platform. With this, you're also able to enjoy the view outside while studying or reading too.
In the same condo unit with bay windows at Waterfront Waves in Bedok, the interior designers at Space Factor took advantage of the natural light streaming in by customising a vanity and study table at one end of the bay window.
Condo Bay Window Design (Arc@Draycott)
This condominium unit at Arc@Draycott had bay windows that took up 7.5% of the apartment's total floor area! Without hacking them away, the interior designers at EHKA reclaimed the bay window space for the homeowners by cleverly building over the bay windows.
Above pictured, in the living room, a custom-made sofa sits partly on the bay window space.
In the dining room (above pictured), the bay window ledge was used as a dining bench.
In the master bedroom (pictured above), the bay window ledge was transformed into a daybed sofa with cushioned settee, along with a mini coffee side table with storage.
In the kid's bedroom (pictured above), a wooden shelf with book display was built over the bay window, creating extra storage space for the children's toys and decoration.
In this condominium unit at Arc@Draycott, the bay window space was transformed into a work study table desk.
A laminate bench along the bay window takes up the footprint of the old balcony and provides extra seating when visitors drop by. Interior design by W2DA
Best Bay Window Material
There is a range of materials you can use to surface your bay window seat, but solid surfacing is not recommended. As that area is right by the window, and gets lots of sunlight and heat, wood or stone are better choices.
Do not use solid surface
“As solid surfacing is made of polyester (or even acrylic), it is prone to discolouration over time when under direct sunlight, especially if the top is white.
Quartz, Granite, Stones are best
We would advise clients to use stones such as quartz or granite. If there is a budget constraint, try a laminated plank instead. In terms of pricing, laminates are the least expensive, followed by solid surfacing, quartz, and then granite,” says interior design firm Space Factor’s creative director, Dolly Teo.