I once read, in a book, an advice about window treatments. It went like this: "If you don't know what to do with your window in terms of windows treatment, just leave it alone". I took it to heart, and was much happier since then:)

Of course there's sometimes issue of privacy or too much light..for example I can see your light goes on TV, probably interferes with watching it in daytime.

You could do these matchstick blinds I guess..where every light/pane of glass gets its own matching blind.

Or you can just leave your gorgeous window open, and maybe try to move the TV? If you watch it in daytime I mean-otherwise it doesn't matter much.

I have a book dedicated to window treatments somewhere..I hope I'll find it and check what they recommend for bay window. My instinct says-if you don't have to-don't cover it, or do the simplest thing like these blinds that you can keep up when you don't need them as not to interfere with the beauty of the window itself.

Our new place will have a bay window-less nicer than yours I must say-still the thought to cover it/embellish it never even crossed my mind, and I usually love curtains.

But. No privacy issue there. No TV in that room. Nothing that would prompt me to do that because I have to..

If I find any advice in that book of mine-I'll write it..

PS As for changing the decor-you can go as slowly as you want/need about it..it will be even more fun in the end, when you know better what you want, and slowly collect and gather furnishings and art that you like..And it will be definitely more fun in the process. At least from all my experience/s..

I agree with the grommet top drapes idea! Get a decorative rod and hang it so that the panels come just shy of the floor. Pull the bench out far enough so that it does not interfere with the panels when closed. No valance. Nothing dark. Get enough panels so that they are full when closed....not like a sheet.

Do you need treatments for light control or privacy? If not, then just remove what you have and live with it for awhile so your eye can adjust to a new, lighter look. Then you can start with something new should you choose to. With bay windows, you can treat the outside like this:

Traditional Bedroom · More Info

You can treat the inside like this:

Master Bathroom · More Info

Or you can do both, like this:

Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc. · More Info

I would go with panels. Depending on what your budget and style is - ring & rod/grommets. Also, raise your rod higher - you'll probably need a center support too. Do you need them to function?

All these ideas sound much better. I do use the drapes to cover the window during the day if I decide to watch tv. There really isn't another way to arrange my living room so that the sun doesn't shine directly on my television. Love the bay window and the amount of light it lets in during the day. My house is darker all the way around. I just recently repainted the hallway. It was brown Trying to change the dungeon like appearance inside

I really like the last pic Annie posted for your room. You could hang inexpensive pull down shades (matchstick, roman, cellular or roller shades) on each window to pull down for daytime light control, then pull the draperies at night for privacy. I think if you got rid of the red and put in a much lighter color, it would make a huge difference in the dungeon vibe.

Someday, when it's in your budget, maybe look into built-ins to house the TV and the speakers. Having a larger unit surrounding them all, will dwarf those speakers a bit and give some cohesiveness to that wall.

For starters, paint out the dark ceilings to white.