This will depend somewhat on what "style" you will be putting in this room. I has pretty traditional lines but could be moved to a "transitional" look with more contemporary elements. I would do all the lower windows and not the top. The lowers I would consider a woven shade in a textured look, neutral and then panels on the sides with perhaps a leading edge look for the panels. Dark rod and rings to coordinate with the flooring. If you want a more contemporary look, start with remote control roller shades inside mounted for the lower windows and decide later on the drapery if needed. Here is leading edge on drapery panels in a linen, neutral look. Depending on the budget and style, you can do a side panel to ceiling above high windows and then shades on the lower windows. That works if you don't need light control and you just want to dress up windows.

Larchmont, NY · More Info

Larchmont, NY · More Info

DRAPERY PANELS · More Info

Can you post some photos of existing furniture. If your budget allows, while this looks like a beautiful home, I would consider changing out the fireplace mantel and the chandelier to update that look, if you want a more "transitional" look. The dining room fixture is a builder type fixture and you could dress this space up with a more interesting choice in lighting.

Thanks suez, that’s a great idea. Will those have hardware or need holes drilled, or are they tension/easy install? Just wondering if it could result in holes in the wall that then might need to be patched or covered in the long run, in the event we go with shutters or something that doesn’t align with those.

There are temporary window shades that stuck on making no holes. Mini blinds are would require holes so try the temporary ones. It takes time to get good window treatments. Lowes and Home Depot carry them.

Here is example. Check out the video.

They require holes for screws to hold the pieces (2 or 3 depending upon with of blinds) that hold the blinds in place. In my experience, the screws and brackets do come with the blinds.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/LEVOLOR-Trim-Go-6-Piece-Mini-Blind-Brackets/1000604105?cm_mmc=shp--c--prd--dcr--google--lia--163--blindsandshades--1000604105-_-0amp;store_code=1925&placeholder=null&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkoC8roWX6QIV3QiICR0x4AeREAYYASABEgLHhPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

The newer blinds without strings install differently that mini-blinds from a decade ago that h ad strings. You also raise/lift and lower them differently but they still have the wand for opening/closing the slats.

Also, if your length measurement is close, you really don't have to remove the few extras slats if you don't want to ... or you can wait until another day to come back and do that after they're all installed..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvzaqlj1VFk

If there is a size of blinds that enables you to install the blinds within the window niche and cover all the glass of the windows and overlap only the frame of the window itself rather than overlapping the trim of the window opening, that, in my non-pro opinion, is the better way to do it because it will be totally out of the way for any drapes you add later.

You likely just need a screwdriver ... probably a Phillips " + " kind as opposed to the standard " - " kind.

https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-hand-tools-warranty-information-update/

Installing an entire house worth, you might want to invest in a battery powered one. The "pistol shaped" ones work better for me. You may also need an extender

https://www.google.com/search?q=Black+%26+Decker+gun+shaped+battery+powered+screwdrivers&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=fw5zYN2v7AQ8xM%253A%252CrB_pH9ZFyp5Y2M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTKUdf-dF-3wf7rRnOpBqhUScLpfA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiSyfD0gJfpAhVhk-AKHXMVDFsQ9QEwAnoECAoQFQ#imgrc=fw5zYN2v7AQ8xM:

The longer screwdriver "bits" can be useful .

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-T4021-Screwdriver-Blue-21-Piece/dp/B004Q005V4 

IF the wood is hard, an awl and hammer might be helpful to begin the holes in the wood for the screws. Mark where you need the hole and then tap the awl to begin a small hole so the screw stays where you want the hole rather than slips to one side.

A step stool tool box is a good investment, especially if you don't already have either a step stool or a tool box.

https://www.ebay.com/i/174225609426?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=174225609426&targetid=883441960689&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011044&poi=&campaignid=9426387573&mkgroupid=96480184500&rlsatarget=pla-883441960689&abcId=1140476&merchantid=118866119&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl9f6qISX6QIVi5-zCh1vGwQ1EAkYByABEgIsofD_BwE

I'm pretty sure all the above tools will be useful again ( eventually ) so they're a good investment for any homeowner.

If you go ahead and get the mini blinds that require screws to hold them in place, you will not risk jerking the blinds down while pulling on them to try to lower them. I like the wider slat faux wood blinds.

Also, if you install the blinds inside the window, you can add a single or double rod for your drapes and sheers above/outside the window without having the blinds in the way. You wouldn't even need to remove the blinds to add the drapes. You could keep the blinds pushed all the way up out of sight until you need them. In winter, the blinds actually can create just a bit of a dead air space between blinds and window pane to help hold in heat. On a truly cold night, with the room comfortably heated, you can feel the difference in temperature on the two sides of the blinds. .

The mini blinds not that difficult or time consuming to install unless you cut the cords at the bottom to remove a few slats and stress over that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvzaqlj1VFk

The screws are not huge -- the holes could be easily patched if you decided you wanted to remove them.

Would not put blinds on small the upper windows unless you have a close neighbor and need them for privacy sake.

Wow that video makes me believe even I could install them.

I love soalr shades for this exact space. The top ones can be permanaent and the lower ones can roll up on cloudy day. The shades keep out heat, UV rays ( that will fade everything in the space ) and the bonus is you get to keep the view. They give you day time privacy but I usually apir them with drapes for night time privacy. Those drapes would go from the ceiling IMO . BTW you can also get the solar shades motorized.

I am intrigued with the solar shades. I originally thought they were just the soft shades or cellular shades as we used to call them. I did not care for them because the ones I knew of, blocked the view (and also were not easy to clean) The ones @Patricia Colwell Consulting is referring to sound like they could be perfect. We have a 2 story foyer with a large window up there- dead south. In the summer the heat and sunshine is intense. I love the view though, and privacy over there is not at all an issue. I had considered motorized blinds but now I am wondering if the solar would work.

Congratulations on the new home!

Your home has beautiful features such as the wall panelling and the lovely high ceilings. Window treatments are an important factor in creating the mood and backdrop for the furniture pieces that will be displayed in your home.

It really depends on how much insulation and privacy you require for the rooms. For the images you have provided I would suggest to leave the upper window panels as they are and add Roller blinds to the lower windows. It seems as though you have enough space in the recess for holland blinds or screen blinds and then I would suggest having curtains hung above the windows for that extra warmth and privacy.

If you find that drapes will give you enough insulation then perhaps just have screen blinds in the window recess instead of block out blinds so that you can maximise the amount of light in the space while still having some extra day time privacy.

I have attached some images which illustrate what I mean. (Images are not mine and are from Pinterest). I find it is nice when the blinds blend into the windows and the drapes provide the colour, texture and interest.

You can also do the solar motorized . I love solar shades much more than window tinting becuase I can raise them on a cloudy day . I have been using them in my design biz for over 20 yrs my clients love them.

What you place on the windows may be determined by possible glare on the TV. I'd work on the layout for the room and the furnishings and do the window treatments last.