You MIGHT get an idea from the pictures here - Window treatments in dormers

Would you think of possibly using plain or patterned window film to let in light but block the views in the small side windows? Window film images

My first thought was to use drapes on swing-arm curtain rods for the smaller side windows. The rods open up at 90* angles, and can rest against the perpendicular walls (or the rods can be mounted on the wall and "open" to cover the window). The large center window can have a standard rod.

I don't think roman shades, roller shades, shutters, or blinds (or any other inside-mounted treatment) would look strange, as long as scale is maintained.

With such little space on each side of the window grouping, I'd personally choose something inside-mounted, and forget drapes/curtains.

My3dogs - thanks for those links. I google everything else, don't know why I didn't think to google that same search term! I'm not too keen on doing window film.

ODD - I definitely don't want any curtains to block what light comes in through those little windows. That's the whole reason our architect put them there....to let in more light to these north facing bedrooms. But your 90 degree comment plus My3dogs images got me thinking.....

What about something like this picture? Two side swing arms so the hanging curtain when open wouldn't block the side windows.

But the rod would actually be lower to account for my roof slant. So the rod would cut through the top ~1/5 of the window. I couldn't find an internet pic, so hopefully this sketch helps with the visual. It would be private enough since the rod would be at about 7' height. But about a foot of window would not be covered at the top, so no light filtering in the morning to help with darkening the room. Would this look weird and/or that open section of light be undesirable in a bedroom?

So the rod would cut through the top ~1/5 of the window.

The only time I can see a rod cutting off a window is in an arched window, where the rod hits the base of the arch, before it starts curving.

Otherwise, I think it looks a little "off." But, I *did* find this photo on Houzz, that seems to be close to what you're proposing:

How do you like it?

Although, the rod in the above photo follows the horizontal muntins of the window, so obviously yours will look quite different. I'd be hesitant to go this route. :-(

I also like each window to have its own treatment, so I wouldn't do 2 swing arm rods for 3 windows, lol. I think there are drapery weight limitations for the swing arms, too (at least, the ones I've seen), so your fabric choices would be limited.

ODD - thanks for that picture. Yes, that's pretty close to what I'm proposing. I don't hate it. While mine doesn't have an arch, the rod would hit where the angle starts.

While this is a much busier window situation than mine, I was trying to visualize what individual shades would look like. I prefer the curtain to this look.

Honestly, I'd do plantation shutters on all three windows. I think any fabric treatment would be overwhelming and fussy-looking. They are custom, so dealing with the small windows shouldn't be a problem.

I think this is one of these things that should have a "post-game analysis" of sorts.

I don't mean to be critical, but this will be analytical and it may help someone else who builds a house in the future.

The idea here is nice, and the essentially linked windows are similar to a true palladian window, with the tall window in the middle and subordinate windows on either side of a height equal to the bottom sash...fine.

But you've kind of backed yourself into a design corner because these particular windows need to be covered, and yet you don't want to cover them too much, or all the time.

A palladian window in an 18th or 19th c house would be treated like this:

The walls would be thick enough that shutters would fold over the small windows and fold back into shallow pockets in the jambs when you wanted them out of the way. The larger window would be elaborately draped because of the curve or possibly mostly left bare,depending.

If you were to design this over again---or if your architect does do this again in another house---a peak that was wide enough to allow a single rod or top mounted treatment that was wide enough to cover all three windows completely should be one thing considered, or more room for shutters to be folded back would be another, a shorter or differently proportioned window in the middle another.

I think that windows are often designed as if they can all be left uncovered because nobody's windows need to be covered for privacy or light control. And really the opposite is true. Almost Every window should be designed if it will need to be covered for privacy or light control, and if it doesn't great, but if it does you are not faced with several less than ideal options and possibly some really awkward options but no perfect options.

palimpsest - thanks for those thoughts. Interesting about the shutters that could fold back. I didn't know that about Palladian windows. I wouldn't say these windows were an afterthought because there was much thought and discussion that went into them. The original design had them as double, equal size casement windows. Then the style of the house changed and it went to a single double hung. We ended with this triple window to let more light in because these were north facing rooms. But you're right, no mention of window treatments and I'm sure my architect was envisioning clean, uncluttered windows in his design.

I do love the look of them though. I'm going to look at cellular shades with slim tops as a few have mentioned. That would give the cleanest look with the function I need. The swing arm rod idea is out. I couldn't find any that were long enough and there were warnings of potential sagging.

Do what DLM2000 suggested but get the kind that can go up from the bottom or down from the top. My daughter has a dormer window in the MBR and that's what she did - works like a charm for privacy and light, when wanted.

Hey There: Please do not cover all three windows with a single shade. These individual windows make all the charm of the room. Use minimalistic pleated blinds that host perfect as inside mount to each window. This will allow for maximum light and privacy management as well as keeping the style of the room...