There is nothing boring about full length drapes!

I have "triple windows" like your top picture. I ran a double rod across the full length of the window and out to about 17" on either side (so the curtains can be opened without blocking any of the glass). The rod is mounted just a few inches from the corner of the ceiling. The inner rod holds sheers, the outer drapes. My drapes actually just came in in Tue so I'm still in the process of hanging, debating over rings vs. no rings. We have 9 ft ceilings so it took 108" drapes & sheers that will need a bit of hemming (I don't like puddles).

Will you need the drapes to be functional? Especially with the radiator window, do you need to close the drapes? If so then I assume you'll want an apron length drape, not full length.

That's a good question about function. I'm OK with them not being functional, but I think my husband wants the options--I've been telling him that the sheers will be enough to give us some privacy, and that having the drapes, even just hanging will provide some insulation around the edge of the window. I'm not so sure he's convinced! I'm not a big fan of the look of apron length; I really like the expanse of (almost) ceiling to floor drapes.

My vote would be to mix stationary panels with woven wood blinds. I would hang the panels high and wide--just under the crown and have panels also between each window. The woven panels I would do outside mount and just under the drapery rod. This will minimize the amount of horizonal lines and make ceilings look taller. The Cote de Texas blog has some wonderful examples of this look, as well as others. I am linking a recent thread where it was discussed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cote de Texas blog (WTs)

Hi Dreamsofa.

I'm with Avesmor: straight, full-length curtains don't need to be boring unless you want them to be. basically, That's what color & pattern & trim are for. As far as length goes, go for the full length curtains (and sheers) you want at all the windows except where you have radiators. There, go with sill-length sheers & leave the long curtains curtains open, instead of dragging them behind the radiator, since, even in a clean house, the same convection currents that warm your room will soil curtains squeezed behind radiators in a short time frame.

Another option is full-length curtains over wood blinds, which not only give you your choice of light or privacy-- and if you angle them correctly, both--but which can make a huge difference in room temperature, far more than a set of flimsy sheers.

I had the same triple windows in my old apartment, and although I didn't have a radiator to deal with, there was a daybed directly in front of the windows. This photo was shot on a hot, sunny day, and the combination of wood blinds & straight curtains hung on rings--my great great-grandmother's linen sheets, which were way too big for my 24-inch-wide antique bed, anyway--went a long way to keeping the room cool until I could get my air conditioner installed.

Thanks, everyone for the ideas.

Magnaverde, that's a beautiful look!