Instead of panels, have you considered a roman shade? It will essentially be exactly what you have there now, but you can choose different styles and fabrics. It can also fully open and close for privacy. You have the perfect scenario for it and a great window frame so i think it would look fantastic.

I wouldn't put a long curtain on this window. Instead perhaps a roman shade, inside mount, made in the same fabric as your other curtain.

Great idea. As long as you guys don't think it would look odd to have one window with panels and one with a shade...? I want the curtains more for adding texture and color, as opposed to being functional.

Would you consider decorative window film instead? You don't exactly have a view out that window and if you need it for texture and color, you've got lots of choices. Stained glass, English garden, woods, etc. Good luck

Is the brick wall that you look out onto a part of your property (garage, etc) or is it a neighbor? If it belongs to you then you may want to consider putting latticework on it with a climbing evergreen to soften and improve the view. If it is not your property, then I suggest a shutter approach that allows for natural light and ventilation with minimal view. Does the other living room window look out onto this wall? If so, you may want to consider shutters there as well and hang complementary draping of fabric rather than curtains.

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't want to do a window film, as it strikes me as a bit bathroom-y. The brick wall is our neighbor's house, and to be honest, I'm not super concerned with obstructing the view. The other windows (three in a row) are facing front, and they have a much better view. Scott, do you have an image illustrating your suggestion? I'm having a hard time picturing shutters with fabric.

I like the shutter idea, as I also have shutters, but I would then put panels off the sides on the regular window and a matching roman shade over the top portion of the stair window.

I second an inset Roman shade that matches the panels of the other windows.

How about frosting the windows? That way light comes in but you don't need curtains? You can even get vinyl with great designs in them to fit your windows.

no not a problem at all to do both a roman and panels in the same space.

I would use a full height shutter and drape a panel with an uneven fall to the floor to accommoate the stairs or use traditional swag and jabot with the same irregular drop to the floor and then apply the same style to the other windows.

On the stair window, I would drape the curtain to one side to the floor. Covering the outlet.

I would put long curtains on the main window that are draped back with some kind of tie .Then...I would put one drape on the staircase window on the right side which I would pull across the width of the window and tie back like the other drapes giving a "half" curtain look but going all the way across the drapery rod.

I agree with the above 2 posters..make sure the drape you put on the stair window is double the width of each of the panels on the other window...ie a double width panel, same volume of fabric at each window. Use a tieback and have it permanently tied back to the right. The style will be a little different fro the other window but not significantly. It is the best option for that type of situation. I would make the top of the drapes fill the rod and the top of the window, in fact I would have the drape fill most of the window as there is not much of a view. Place the tieback low around sill level or just below and pull back and up.

Curtain to side.

Please no swag look.