My vote is for the panels separating the windows. It doesn't look like there is trim surrounding each window, is that right? Because each window is separated by wall space and it isn't one big triple or double window, I think the multiple panels give it more of a finished look.

I like just the end panels best. I would really like to see a cornice across the top of the windows but I understand the money aspect probably curtails that idea.

End panels only, definitely. This is enough to distract the eye from the strips of wall in between, and overall create a simpler, softer look. The multiple panels look "busy"--they create right angles with horizontal slats in the blinds and continue the direction of the floor boards onto the wall space.

I like end panels only also, with or without the bed. I lean towards the bed if it's substantial enough, like the one you have there (ie, not a delicate metal one in front of the blinds, eg).

Normally I would say seperate panels but I also think it looks a little busy. I think you might need a valance on top to unify everything.

I like the end panels without a bed. Separating panels with a bed. And I like the 3 panels on the window across from the bed.

I like the end panels only, on both sets of windows.

Another vote for end panels only on both windows and I like the bed! ;c)

I know you didn't ask and you do have those horizontal blinds, but... have you considered doing the separating panels with a roman blind hung outside mount between each panel. I'd hang it as high as the curtain rod. I think this would make it look like a connected unit and less busy. Sorry if I've overstepped.

I was once told....windows that are "together" get treated as one window. So, panels only on the ends for both windows. Since you havent hung them yet, it is difficult to tell if one panel on each end (particularly, the long window) is too skimpy. Its probably fine, its hard to tell when its "drawn" in. I would sew two panels together...or a panel and a half....if you feel its not enough.

panels separating the window with no bed in front of it :)

I'm confused. Are there 2 windows or 3? In some of the pictures it shows 2 and in others it shows 3 windows.

Either way, I think end panels only, with a valance or a cornice as mentioned. The idea of outside mount shades would work as well to help unify the center.
Marylu

I'd like to see a more substantial window treatment. Full double-panels at the ends. If not a shade treatment between, then maybe paint or a paint and trim combo.

{{!gwi}}

I like what Squirrel has done in pics 3 & 4.

If you paint faux trim around the windows in white until you get the funds/time to do real trim, it'll make the bank of windows look more unified.

So I guess I vote for ends only... w/ faux painted trimwork and a valance. :)

I've still got to tally the votes, but just wanted to comment on some of the other suggestions. Though I think I might have made up my mind seeing the fuller width on the edge. I think that is what I was missing. Thanks squirrelheaven - you always have such great ideas and good ways to show them.

The blinds are staying as I'm a function win over form and I'd hate to have to open close a shade as it is just open or closed, never the in between where you can wick it to stop direct sunshine and still have light.

There are two sets of windows in the room the 3 by the bed and then the other 2 with nothing in front of them.

I'm also not very fond of the valance and drapes combo. It always make me think formal and we are anything but and I'm not sure I would feel comfortable living with it. It looks great in the pics, but .... However I would be open to a valance only if that would be a better choice.

Although it looks really nice painted white in the pics in person it wouldn't look good at all. The corners are rounded drywall and it would stick out way more than it does now to people visiting. Drywall around the windows is the norm where we live. I prefer trim and will do that just like I changed my old house out, however I don't have the time as we have so many other things that need finishing first.

So now I guess edge panels with the fuller sides or just a valance?

One last idea, what if you put sheers covering whole window set and then some thick panels at the ends?

I finally found the pic that made me want to have drapes instead of a valance, but do you think a valance would be better? I found it on here, but can't remember the user name.

This one doesn't have anything but drywall around the windows either.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Panels or valance, in different proportions. Forgot tall and wide on the panels!

HTH!

{{!gwi}}

you have a great room and lots of light, so you're already in good shape. I've been down this road before with my own windows and finally watched some designer who explained why I didn't want the drywall showing. I hung inexpensive matchstick blinds and it completely changed the look!

I like the tall and wide Squirrel did. Knowing your issue with the blinds, I hate to throw out this idea, and yet I think somehow you need to address the drywall showing above the shades. It would look very unified to have one overmounted (and mounted higher) blind type thing. Such as matchstick blinds or whatever. I know you want to keep the blinds for function, so sorry about this....I am just struggling with the need to unify the windows. The inspiration picture shared one thing that helped to unify it, and that was they were tall windows, so the rod going all the way over and panels hanging in between windows worked well.

You need height to go with the long panels, which are very pretty and esp with that bed!

squirrelheaven - you are not helping things (and I'm j/k). I like them all with the wider panels or the valances. Can I start a new vote on here?

Valance or wider drapes on the edge?? Keep in mind panels requires no work on my part and I'm on a budget so no hiring out. Also it will eventually have trim will the valance look funny then?

decorpas - around here everybody has the drywall showing if they do plain drapes so I guess I'm more used to seeing that and it doesn't bother me that much especially since I know it is temporary and I will put trim when other projects are finished. I understand your suggestion, but I can live with it looking a bit unfinished since I have an end goal in mind and can't afford to spend the money.

I'm trying to find something that works now and will look great when I have trim done.

squirrelheaven may I ask you how this style with multiple would look for the 3 windows and then maybe using panels for the two windows? Can I mix or would that be too much and just stick with the same for both windows.

I'm kind of leaning towards the valances now. I so wish I could make up my mind when it comes to decorating. I can pick floors and fixtures, countertops, etc. in a day, but this ...

I'm thinking about what decorpas said and this looks good with trim too and definetly not formal. Though it might be too much with the blinds already there?

{{!gwi}}

I didn't see one with a straight on shot. Going to see if I can find it in a search. This one was called drape shade from Pottery Barn.

Here is one that is straight on, but not exactly my style, but for seeing the shape it would work. Do you think you could help? I really appreciate your help so far and you've really made me see a complete different direction that I might not have listened to otherwise.

I'm kinda hardheaded that way ...

Not to throw another option at you, but would faux-wood shutters (Lowes or HD) that you can install yourself be in your budget? Sometimes if your windows are standard you can find the size in stock. This would save you from having to add the trim plus it would unify all the windows. If you want, then you can some panels on the sides.

I was ready to vote for just the side panels until I saw your inspiration picture. If you like the look, I definitely think it could work. If you decide you do not like the look you could always pull the panels to the side for a double width. Once you hang the panels you can ask for another vote with the two looks and the bed.
I do agree you should rethink the rod height. I think that taking it up about 2/3 of the gap between window height and ceiling height would be pleasing.

I think you will be happier having a bedframe. To me, the window sil just above the pillows looks odd, not to mention uncomfortable.

I vote for: many panels with no bed. With bed, just end panels.

Still on panels : ) Your inspiration pic is gorgeous. I think they look better hung higher but do need something in the space above the window. Like in your inspiration pic. Also needed is some decorative pillows on the bed also, to bring the eye back to the bed. Otherwise, the focus seems to stay on the drapes! This is just paint, not trim. The lighter bands on the painted area (which are also a blue) could have a subtle pin stripe at the edge to transition/finish the edge; either darker or lighter than the band.

Re a headboard -- do you not sit up in bed? The windows/treatments would be awkward I think.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Well, the inspiration picture is gorgeous, and now I can see what you are going for.
part of what made it so special is the contrast of the wall color with the drapes, and also a little detail is the curve above the window which your bedroom does not have. I dont think that is a big point, but should be noted.
I think that Squirrel changing the proportion and then adding the white pillow to play off the drapes works great. It is incredible how just adding those white pillows, for me at least, made it look so much better,
great work there squirrel!

A few other looks you might want to consider to finish off the look:

drapes lower with crown molding above to dry the eye up--like in your inspiration photo

OR

drapes higher, w/ or w/o crown with the "gaps" filled in with either a scraft or a shirred valance, between the panels. This could go above the windows and come up to just after the windows start. This will give the illusion of added window height. Something like

Here is a link that might be useful: WT example

Here are the shades. These were pretty much what I had in mind when I put the first ones in, just didn't stitch them all up : ) Trying at different heights and combinations.

{{!gwi}}

I'm wondering, with another set of double-windows on the side, if all those panels are going to be too much and really busy. I do like them at the bed though. I suppose if you finished the windows with shutters, drapes wouldn't be needed on the side ones.

squirell - Thank you! Thank You! I really appreciate it, sorry I wasn't able to come back to it until now. To answer your question on sitting in the bed. No we don't. I can't even think of one instance when we have.

I really like a few of them. We'll never have pillows on the bed though like that although it looks nice they'd never be on the bed, but always on the floor (speaking from experience), however if we have a headboard I could plop up the current pillows.

I like this one as the height seems right for those

and I like the panel height in this one (but not sure about the shades or a valance with it as I lean towards simpler and non-formal looks) Would this as shown be too much with a headboard?

The wall height is 9' and I'm looking at 95-96" drapes if I go that route. It would leave a 1' gap which I think will be perfect once we finally add trim to windows and crown molding.

No shutters as I only like them with trim. Though everything looks odd to me on windows without trim. We choose between those and the 2" wood blinds initially and decided we wanted to be able to fully open without having shutters that swung out over the bed or in the traffic path on the other window.

We are getting a bed eventually just on a budget at the moment. The one I managed to fit in there is the current choice, though I think my scale is off when I did it.

The inspiration pics also have pics with just the flat part on top of the windows. In the ones I posted the dining area has that.

JCPenney has some tab tops on sale now so I guess I could get those and return if I don't like it in person when hung.

However if I then needed to go the shade route - will that mean I need to move the rod down as they will be slightly higher than the one shown above. I'd like to try to avoid too much stuff. Does the shades work with a headboard?

Hi Lyfia, sorry, got a little sidetracked and busy! Here is the height you liked with the panels and shades, but with the headboard. The second pic shows a little blue trim or fabric in the shade. I think it looks very pretty, myself. You just need to think about whether there would be too many panels in that area, and how to balance the white in the rest of the room so it isn't lopsided. Maybe there are some white doors or something on the other side.

In the small virtual, when I put it up, it did come across a bit like one of those swag valances, but I think irl when you can actually see they're casual it shouldn't look like that.

These are just regular pillows on the bed now. I think the light color more than anything brings more attention down to the bed, with the white panels. I did use ones with a simple ruffled edge (which of course I can't find now! thought JCP had them). Maybe you only like one pillow each, but two sleeping pillows each side might prop them up better. (I like lots of sleeping pillows : )

squirrel Thank you!! Thank you!!! Sorry I got side tracked too and have been away for a several days so missed your response. I'm so glad you gave me a reminder in my other thread. I really like the panels and shade combos. I'm not sure what you mean by this the ruffled comment. Could you elaborate on which part you were talking about - pillow or drapes or shades?

There is white in the rest of the room to balance things. A 3ft door into the room and a 4ft section of doors to the bathroom. Reason I want white is I have so many different color duvets and I alternate them every couple of weeks so want to make sure nothing clashes. The one on the bed today is a blue with paisly trim around the edges. Also got one with green and blues, a goldish tan one and a khaki type. All except the gold one has some white in it. I have a thing for Duvets I guess and like to change them out depending on my mood.

LOL we currently have two sleeping pillows each, one for sleeping on and one for covering our heads when the neighbors dogs bark all night or to not hear the other person shower as we often have different hours.

You were saying how shams or decorative pillows simply remain on the floor, so you might just prop up your regular pillows on the bed. I was then just suggesting maybe a pretty standard pillowcase with, say, a ruffle along the edge (in the virtual). Could be anything really, I was just looking at some embroidered and striped edges too, but they were only showing sheets.

Here's a couple examples. It's just casual and simple.

Wide Edge Ruffle

Narrow Pleated Edge Ruffle

Funny, that's often what I use my extras for! Over my head, lol.

I, too, just determined this morning, that I must do duvets so I can just have a bunch -- for a lot of variety with beautiful fabrics and styles that I love. I just have too many ways I want to dress the bed and my room! It will be the only solution for me, I think.

Good luck with the windows and show us when you're done : ) Looks really pretty in there!

Oh I see what you mean now. I don't think the ruffles will fly with DH, but I would definetly plop the pillows up if we have a headboard. Don't like leaning stuff against the wall as it is now.

Yeah I love duvets. I grew up in Sweden and that is all we used and I love it since I can buy some fun ones too that makes me smile, but might be something I'd tire of if I saw it too often.

Could be anything decorative along the edge just so they look more like decorative pillows. The standard cases usually look pretty 'standard' to be propped up and displayed, lol : ) Maybe yours are pretty though, can't really see. With the light curtains, I think a light color on the cases will bring some focus back to the bed.

When I was looking for 'Swedish Country' for the bed paint, I read that Sweden is always dark and buried in snow. They said it was terribly boring! I never think of it that way at all. Is that true ??? I think light, fresh, sunny, happy, lol.

I do have some shams that go with the Duvets. Guess I have to fix the pillows after DH makes the bed as he is pretty good about doing that after I take the sheets off for washing.

Well I'm from the Stockholm area and in the winter it is very dark and dreary but not snow all the time. Things are brighter when there is snow out, but I hated the slush that we had more from the snow and often it is rainy or overcast. Summers are great though and a lot of light. There are only a few hours of dark at night then. I really miss the summers even if they sometimes were rainy. I love all the lakes, ponds, and how green and clean everything looks compared to other countries, especially out in the country areas. I love spring and fall too over there. Just not a fan of winter or cold weather. Decorating inside homes tend to be on the lighter side to compensate for the dreary winters. Pale colors and whites make things look much brighter.