Bay windows are specially designed windows which create a niche in a home filled with light. Typically, they highlight a stunning view such as the ocean or a sweeping meadow, and they are often designed with window seats so that people can sit in the windows and enjoy a book. Bay windows are very common in Victorian architecture and some schools of modern design, and typically increase the value of a home.

There are two basic styles for bay windows. In one case, the bay windows form a box which juts out from a house, and is often designed to be filled with plants or ornaments. Typically, the box is designed to start a little below head height, and is sometimes installed over a sink or in a kitchen to provide light and a view without disrupting the general shape of the house. This type of bay window is common in cheaper homes, or homes in developments which are built to a standard model, which would make building full bay windows inconvenient. In other cases, bay windows are designed as part of a floor to ceiling polygonal shape which actually creates a nook, and causes the floor plan to deviate. The most common shape for this style of bay window design is a trapezoidal shape, with the narrowest part of the trapezoid facing out.

When full bay windows are installed, the resulting space can be used to display art, install a window seat, or as a breakfast nook. Typically, the bay windows used to fill the space are very large, often covering almost the entire distance from floor to ceiling. The result is prolific natural light, which can be filtered or softened with window treatments. Bay windows are a great place for a reading area or art workspace, because of the large amounts of light that they admit.

Full bay windows can contribute to the cost of building a home, because the irregular floor plan formed by the window installation represents more work on the part of the contractor. However, many home owners feel that they are worth it for the natural light and outdoor beauty that they bring in. When installing new bay windows in a home, try to think ahead about the view, because you do not want to find yourself staring at a neighbor's fence or an empty lot. Also be aware of the additional exposure which bay windows create, and try not to face them in public directions unless you enjoy being looked at.