The only thing I'm concerned about is you might see the wall space between the windows. Would this look strange? I don't want to keep the windows covered. I need to be able to open the curtains to get light in during the day. At night I would close them.

I agree-one rod would look best. Extend the rod beyond the window trim so the drapery panels don't cover the windows. The drapery rod placement should be higher than your current valances. It should be closer to the crown molding.

This is an example that I found online of what people above have suggested -

You'll have to stack the panels together so they meet, since it's such a large space (one on each side of a window, which means two between each window). Won't look quite like the previous pic, since it'll have double widths between windows. If you don't quite like that look or want each window to look individual, then put up a 32" rod over each window allowing a small bit of wall to show. Will look fine with separate rods. One long rod's OK too. Depends on the look you like.

ratherbesewing I'm not sure what you mean by extending the rod beyond the window trim so the drapery panels don't cover the windows.

I always liked the look of the panels stationary on either side of the window, rod up near the ceiling and the space in between being filled with a blind that works for privacy/light control.

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I think I might like one long rod. How many panels would I need? Is there a certain type of panel I should look for? As you can see from the valences I have no clue what to do, and can use all the help I can get...

The window area is 12 feet from one edge to the other (32 + 24 + 32 + 24 + 32 = 144 inches or 12 feet). So you want a rod that is about 14 feet long so there is space at both ends of the rod for the drapes to stack so they cover only the window frame but not the window glass.

However, the drapes have to be full enough to cover the 24 inches between the windows to get the same look as the photo above with the blue drapes. Alternatively, you could go with three sets of rods and drapes.

Do you think I can still do this look with only 10 inches on the right side because I have these switches.

If you read my reply, I told you that you need 5" on each side of the window for stackback and one panel at each side.

Sorry I did not understand your reply. So I would need a panel on each side plus 5"

If you were to put a separate rod at each window, it should be about 10" wider than each window, making each rod 42". That would extend the rod out past each window, 5" at each side. If you mount one long rod over all three windows, it should be about 154", so it will extend out 5" at each end. This allows you to "stack" the panel at each end of each window, if you want them open.

One panel at each side of each window is enough for that size window. So you would need 6 panels total, whether you have 3 rods or 1 rod.

What I meant about the two widths is, if you have a panel at each side of each window, there will be two in between each window. So you'll have 1, 2, 2 and 1.

It will give a different look to have one long rod than with 3 rods.

Hope this is clear as mud.

I love that room and that look Annie!

shadylady2u yes perfectly clear now lol. Sorry I was a little slow at getting what you were saying. Thanks for taking the time to explain it to me in detail. I love that idea! I will start looking for a long rod and panels