Try one like this. This company is expensive but Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens n Things have them too. i think they are found more in shower curtain areas but I am not sure. As you can see in the picture, you would mount this on the perpendicualr wall and the rod fits right in. I get most of my hardware from this company so I can ouch for the quality. Here is a link that might be useful: Cafe Bracket

Think about hotel rooms. They so often have a room-width black-out curtain ... and behind it a thin sheer ... and usually some type of non-moveable header (either cloth or wood) ... and they pull open so nicely. While staying in a hotel a year or so ago, I decided that's exactly what I want, so I took a good look at the hardware involved. Hotels have ceiling mounted tracks. Something like this: This ceiling-mounted curtain track can be supported every 2-3 feet, eliminating any possibility of sagging rods as years go by. You can cut them to fit your dimensions, and they're even available in around-the-corner styles. The negatives, of course, are that you'll need floor-to-ceiling curtains, and you'll probably have to do some sewing adjustments to the curtains yourself. Still, I'm going to do this in my bedroom, where I expect to open/close the drapes frequently. I wouldn't do it in, say, the dining room, where I'm going to use plantation shutters and curtains that'll essentially never move.

Consider a ceiling track for all of them.

I mounted them full-width of the room and LOVE IT THIS WAY! Thank you guys so much for the tip. Had it not been for you, I would have mounted close the window frame. Attached are photos and thoughts: - My room is actually pretty bright (window facing west), shooting against the light makes it look dark. - Yes, I know the curtains are way too short and not wide enough. I will buy double-width ones, and longer (then cut to the right length, just above the floor but not touching). - Yes, I will replace the ceiling fan. Let me know of any modern ones you think about. Either dark or light color is fine. - I will probably get rid of the vertical blinds and go for light-filtering curtains on the inside rod or bamboo/cellular blinds? The idea is to have an option to block out the harsh western sun at 5-8pm each day but not totally blackout the room. Any other ideas? - Are the curtains too high? I love the height but wonder if they are in fact crowding the molding too much. I also pulled the curtains too far out from the wall, I think if I push them in closer to the wall, it will crowd less. (I'm using Ikea curtain hardware with the adjustable slider mounts, btw.) - Are the curtain rods at the right distance from side walls? I think yes? - Do you guys think I should go for a lighter curtain color? I think I still like the dark rod. White rods kinda look too plastic-ey. - I love grommets because they slide and fold-up so nicely but willing to explore others (rod-pockets).