Forget my last idea, the half wall under the window would interfere with the curtain and leave the same gap I mentioned before. But note how little space is taken up by the soffits and curtains in these pics

Greenfish--if the curtains are to be functional, they MUST be tailored around the unit. Otherwise, the climate control won't work. That is why I suggest nonfunctional curtains and functional roller shades. I would like the roller shades hidden behind a soffit, as you suggest.

I saw this the first time on a $350/night hotel, so I'm not so sure about "cheap hotel". When they were pulled back, you couldn't tell that part was shorter, and they did solve the problem, but I wouldn't do that.

That could be a issue...they are constructed for outside weather mine withstand up to 85 mile per hour winds...yours would need side tracks to keep them in place...

what about shutters that swing out so windows can be cranked open. The door could have a separate black roller shade.

Didn't mean to offend Milly – I was joking. Anything here is a compromise of something, some airflow, windows opening fully, privacy. That's why I had multiple ideas. Window sheers would allow a little air through and a little privacy, with larger functioning curtains to be used when the AC is not being used. I also think rollers are best but the gap should be hidden By maybe another shade for the door mounted at the same height and right next to the window shade.

Maybe I missed a post, but why can't you just have a door blind and a window blind mounted from the ceiling part of the window?

ETA: I live in super sunny Texas, and most homes have solar screens (not shades) semi-permanently installed on the exterior of windows...like a bug screen, but offers energy savings and privacy (though not 100% at night).

Penny, the windows won't open that way. They open into the apartment. HIWE. How would you manage the gap between the window and the door with shutters? I guess you could build a false divider between the last window and the door, but there isn't much space there. The shutters would have to open into the apartment as well, which would eliminate any seating near the windows :(

Yes the installer would have to create a small divider on that side near the door...you could get shutters that fold together on each side so they barely come out into the space...being that the air conditioner is there you have the space as look as they don't go beyond the depth of the air conditioner...that is all open space to use. Your seating can't go close to the windows because of the air conditioner so you are fine it will not take up any floor space.

I gotcha highway. I was imagining plantation shutters the way they swing out so big

I think that someone already mentioned magnetic brackets with curtain rods. I use those on our metal doors. It appears that they could be used on the windows and door edges. You can then add short curtains on the Windows ( sheers?). A longer curtain can be used on the door. The opening/closing of the Windows/doors would not be impeded.

Good evening. Large windows are the dream of many homeowners, but sometimes the width is too much. And we have to go to all sorts of tricks, in order to visually smooth out this disproportion. First, in this case it is better to hang not one but two curtains at once (on either side of the window), and in such a way that they partially cover the window opening. So you will not incur large losses of natural light, and the width of the window is visually noticeable will decrease. Secondly, you can create vertical lines with the help of several fabric webs, thus dividing the width of the large window opening into parts and approximating it to the correct proportions. Arrange the curtains at an equal distance or at least mirror - asymmetry should be avoided.

Milcasa - I'd love to have two layers of curtains hanging high, but there is a bulging AC unit so I cannot close the curtains.
Magnetic bracket sounds interesting. I'll check it out!

If the window trim is metal the magnetic rods could go on each individual window..hang simple fabric Roman shades on them...great idea grapefruit! And very budget friendly....

Here's a couple of Houzz articles about roller shades that might help, there are some nice ideas:

[Roller Shades Raise the Curtain on Style[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/roller-shades-raise-the-curtain-on-style-stsetivw-vs~32611702)

[What's the Right Way to Hang Roller Shades[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/whats-the-right-way-to-hang-roller-shades-stsetivw-vs~33115383)

For light control and privacy, here’s an example of blinds that could be used on each window and door. No problems interfering with A/C or cranking windows open. Not to mention that they wouldn’t use up any valuable floor space.

What about window film tinting? Huber optics make some great window films for installation.

I came her also to say window film . or top down blinds although you wont be able to open the windows...

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts! After carefully going through all of them, plus visiting Home Depot and Lowe's today to check out some shade samples and talk to their specialists, I think my final decision will come down to either 1) roller shades mounted above the window boxes, light-filtering shades for LR and blackout for BR, plus a separate door shades, or 2) magnetic rods, three for LR windows and three for BR windows, plus one for the door.

Each has its own problems though. For Option 1), where to mount the roller shades for the door is a problem. If mount it on the box ceiling directly above the door, it will not be on the same surface with the windows' shades and look weird and inconsistent. But if mount it on the side wall similar to the window shades, it will be one foot away from the door and waste some precious floor space.

Problem for Option 2) is so far I haven't found magnetic rod that is wider than 30 inches. For the BR windows I might be able to use three of these magnetic rods cos it's 84 inches wide in total, but for the LV the windows are 104 inches wide so I'm not sure if I can find long rod for the middle window. Also I haven't figured out what curtains to go with the magnetic rods yet.

Two other questions:
- if I'm going to get roller shades for the LR windows, should I get one entire large shades or two identical shades side by side split in the center?
- color-wise, for white wall black windows many people suggest just go light off-white shades or drapery, but I really kinda prefer light grey or grey-white woven shades or drapery with black or white pulling cord. Thoughts?

Congrats on the progress! I would do a single shade instead of 2 separate. I think as long as the colour you're going with coordinates well with what's going in the space you're good. I tend to stay off white but chose to do darker in a room and can't wait for them to come in. Go with what you love.

The bedroom windows can have one shade hung on flat wall just above the niche for the windows..but not for the LR...it will not work because of the door...they will look strange hanging so far from window with open side next to door...you need to do magnetic rods on those windows and door and do Roman shades..

Agree with HIWE: if shades in the LR you need to build out the window box between the window and door.

A question, though HIWE- do romans come in rod pocket? Have never seen that. I do see some magnetic shades and blinds online but the smaller size may be hard to find.

That would have to be requested when placing order...Home Depot..Home Decorators collection or Hunter Douglas...or have custom made from local drapery/blind shop.

I would go with a window film. One that would provide privacy but allows the light to come in. The only problem would be in the bedroom if you need it to be dark in order to sleep.

Levi,

You do have a lot of challenges on those windows... which narrow down your options!

-I would do 1 shade on the windows. You will get a space gap if you do 2 shades.

-I would make the shades motorized. Comfortex and a few other companies have a rechargeable battery inside the shade tube. This is a nice option when you don't have space to hide the battery wand.

- When selecting the fabric for the family room, keep in mind that with a light filtering fabric the color choose can affect the color of lighting in a space.

-I would install the shades at the ceiling line and have them hidden in a metal square fascia or hide behind a wood trim box.

Sneaked in the apartment today and NEW DISCOVERY!! - The gap between the windows box ceiling and the upper edge of the window is actually 1 and 1/4 inch in the LR, bigger than I previously thought. What's the thinnest ceiling curtain track on the market? If it can fit in, Yes I'm thinking hanging short curtains till the window sill, I don't mind the look, maybe even make it double layers.
And this gap is even 1 and 1/2 inch in the BR!

But the open window will hit the curtain?

No if I open the window I'll move the curtain to either the central part or the left/right side, so the curtain will not be fully closed whenever the window is open. All these under one condition that the ceiling track can fit in that gap.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a curtain track that small, but I would much rather see black or charcoal shades that disappeared altogether when rolled up, allowing your beautiful view and windows to take center stage.

I agree greenfish

No place to do the roller shades in LR as I don't want that big gap between window and door. When the curtain is on the very left or right it won't block much views I think.

From your pictures, is that as far as your windows open? They just prop open for ventilation?

If so, it looks like you have plenty of depth to mount the shade roller/cassette onto the ceiling of the window box while leaving enough room to open the windows.

For your door and living room window, order the shades with two on one header. One shade would cover your window, the other would be sized to cover your door.

Smith and Noble has some contemporary looking shades that might work.

mmilos, yes that's the window opening as far as it can go, but the window handles are pretty thick too. I did measure the depth left on the box ceiling when the it is fully open, after clearing the windows and handles, there is only about 1.5 inch left.

I wouldn't worry about the handles if you use shades. Even if the roller/cassette width doesn't allow the windows to fully open, I don't think that is a deal breaker...as long as you can crack em open a bit for air.

I'm a big fan of window film.

You won't have the gap if you hang the shade (only need one for window now) from the window "ceiling" right against the window. The other shade gets mounted on the door.

Greenfish - that 1.25 inch space cannot mount the roller shade's brackets against the window.

You *might* be able to find one that is that small and that mounts to the "ceiling," not the window.

The Kirsch Architrac has a height of 3/4" for a ripplefold or pleated drape.

Check out purlfrost.com and others who can help with making your windows opaque. You don’t need to do all of them.

Finishing Touches - thanks so much for that info! I found it - Architrac II Series 93001 Track.

The track might be small on the Architrac but the folded fabric will still hang over window when up and stacked??

Roman shades hung from ceiling height or from th bottom of the bulkhead would work. You could even hang a Roman shade directly on the door.

HIWE - I'm planning to just do a regular left-right sliding fabric short curtain under the slim Architrac, and a magnetic rod with long curtain on the door. Think it's gonna be ugly?

I think it's going to be ugly, especially a long curtain on the door and it won't really solve your problem – as hiwe said, you will still be blocking the windows functioning when the curtains are pushed to the side. Do you have a nice modern place, and a minimalist sense of style. Mishmashing these two different curtain types who will take you away from that path

That should look fine..but do the soft fold and get the snap tape that is sewn on the fabric that will snap to attach the curtain to the track....I would do a Roman shade of the same fabric on door...not a curtain...these will need to be custom made....unless you can sew yourself??

And do a sheer minimal light fabric..

Greenfish - the windows open like the pic below (showing they are fully opened), so if I hang the curtain against the window under Architrac and slide the curtain to either the two sides or the central section, the windows can open without being blocked. Also if I do it this way, it'll be both fabric curtains on the window and the door so there is no style mix. Did I miss something?

I was thinking something similar to what it seems you're looking at. Something ultra low profile, attaching to each window's frame so the windows can still be opened. You could also consider roman shades that attach with Velcro to the top of the window frame.

By mishmash I meant a long curtain on the rod. HIWE's idea of a matching roman is better.