By adding shutters to your bay windows will transform the window into a balanced, light-filled focal point. Getting the layout right comes down to your bay’s shape and how you use the space, which is why made-to-measure shutters are essential for a precise and seamless fit. From initial survey to final installation, we take care of the measuring and fitting to ensure everything works exactly as it should.

When planning your shutters, there are a few key considerations:

  • Match the shutter style to your bay shape – box, angled or bow bays each require a slightly different approach. For example, box bays suit clean, rectangular panels, while bow bays need specialist posts to follow the curve and ensure smooth operation.

  • Professional measuring for a perfect fit – we take precise measurements across every angle of the bay, making sure panels, louvres and joins align perfectly

  • Choose louvre and panel sizes carefully – this affects light control, privacy, sightlines and how the shutters stack when opened. As a guide, 64mm offers a classic look, 89mm feels more contemporary, and 114mm creates a lighter, more open appearance. Narrower folding panels will stack more frequently, so it’s important to consider how this impacts the view.

  • Select the right material and finish – hardwood, engineered timber or composite options each suit different environments, depending on factors like moisture, heat and daily use.

  • Think about colour and overall look – matching panels to your walls creates a cohesive finish, while coordinating or contrasting frames can subtly influence the proportions of the bay.

 

In the sections below, we’ll explore each of these in more detail to help you design shutters that look right and work beautifully in your space.

 

Room-by-room recommendations

Lounge

  • Full-height shutter panels for clean lines or tier-on-tier for independent top and bottom operation to balance light and privacy;
  • 76mm or 89mm louvres suit taller openings and let plenty of light in
  • Hardwood or high-quality engineered timber for an authentic finish

 

Nursery and bedroom:

  • Full-height shutter panels for light control
  • 76mm louvres to minimise light coming in while your shutters are shut and maintain privacy when open.
  • engineered materials for stability and ease of use.

 

Kitchen and utility:

  • Café-style to keep worktops light while preserving privacy;
  • Composite or engineered timber to resist humidity
  • Bifolding panels where space or obstructions restrict stacking.

 

White Louvred Cafe style bay window shutters in London

 

Bay window shutters: pick the right style for your bays

Choose the shutter style to match how you use the room. Full-height shutters give room darkening and clean lines, good for nurseries and bedrooms, while tier-on-tier lets you operate top and bottom independently, which works well in lounges. Café-style shutters protect daytime privacy in kitchens while keeping light at eye level. Louvre and panel sizing affect proportion: small louvres suit short, busy bays, 64mm reads classic, 79mm looks modern and 89mm suits tall, airy bays; narrow panels stack more often and change sightlines, so plan widths around folding and the desired view.

Design details that lift a bay: colour matching, midrails and hinges

Small design choices change how a bay reads in a room. Match shutters to window frames for continuity, match them to skirtings and joinery for a subtle look, or pick a contrasting tone to create a focal point. Order sample swatches and view them by the bay at morning and evening light so the finish reads correctly against brickwork and soft furnishings.

Midrails control sightlines, reach and the overall shape of tall panels. Use a midrail to split tall panels for easier operation, to align with furniture tops, or to conceal a radiator or sill; adjust heights to suit furniture and window details rather than relying on a default. Choose hinges to suit the reveal: standard butt hinges work for most cases, offset hinges help where the frame projects, and extra hinges stop tall leaves sagging. Position top and bottom hinges close to panel edges and add a central hinge on taller leaves so panels fold flush and clear handles or frames.

Materials and finishes: choosing hardwood, engineered timber or composite for bays

Material shapes appearance, durability and maintenance, so choose timber or composite based on room use and exposure. Hardwoods offer a warm, authentic finish and suit period properties; they take stains and can be repaired but need stable, dry conditions and a higher initial cost. Use hardwood in living rooms, studies and front bays where authentic grain the look you’re going for.

Engineered timber and composite are more stable in kitchens, bathrooms and south-facing bays where humidity and sunlight cause movement; they resist warping, need less upkeep and accept paint finishes reliably. Custom colours and specialised finishing add lead time and cost, so factor those into your schedule before placing an order.

Installation options and costs: DIY, fitted by pros, and realistic pricing

For fitted work, expect installers to take two to five hours depending on complexity and to finish with fine adjustments. If you value a perfect fit and a warranty, choose a measured-and-fitted service that can handle complex angles accurately. For more on installing bay windows and specialist framing, see a step-by-step guide to how to install a bay window.

Tier on tier white bedroom shutters
Tier on tier white bedroom shutters

 

Final checklist and next steps: order, measure, fit and aftercare

To obtain a pre-quote all we need are some rough measurements (width and height) of your windows and if you’d like some design advice add some pictures and well be happy to advice. Let us know of any obstructions such as handles, vents, radiators, sills and we’ll account for these.

During our measure appointments we will go through everything when we come to take accurate measurements of your windows.

On installation day expect site protection, frame assembly, temporary adjustment screws, hanging of panels and fine tuning. Experienced installers typically complete a standard bay in a few hours with minimal disruption and finish with a thorough clean.

Aftercare is simple: dust louvres with and wipe frames with a slightly damp cloth when needed, avoiding abrasive cleaners.

Make your bay sing with the right shutters

Start by matching style to shape, measuring accurately and choosing materials; these choices avoid sightline problems, rubbing and improve light control, privacy and heat retention. For more on the differences in window forms see a guide to bay window vs bow window.

Plantation Shutters Ltd has over 43 years’ in-house experience and handles measure, design and installation with a price-match promise and a warranty on made-to-measure bay window shutters..

Book a in-home survey to see samples, get an accurate quote and discuss designs with our expert surveyors.