Hang them from the ceiling?

I would do as shown in the pic above. To add more than one panel on each side you'll need to extend the rod on both sides so you don't overlap the window areas.

I would first hang the shades and then decide if you need the curtains.

It seems you have more than adequate room to hang your drapes as in the picture above, and it would really help to soften the look of your room. The picture you posted is adorable!

Do you still think this would be the best placement? It's my first inclination as well, but I talk myself out of it thinking of curtains floating around in the middle of the room - not really the middle, but 2 feet out from the windows is pretty odd. But I currently have curtains hanging in the same position as the listing photo (but without the valance) and they just seem so stumpy and low. So there are 6 panels total - one for each side of each of the 3 windows. But I could easily sew two or three of them together to make two large panels. And the good news is I never hemmed them since I hated the look, so they should be long enough to go up higher :)

So the sofa is actually in the bay. You can install them like the PO had them. Did they leave the rods? Were they stationary? That’s probably why they had the valance, to hide the rods?

Is there room in each window to install an inside mount blind? Or you could do an outside mount and attach to the trim. Or not have curtains at all, just blinds.

I don't know if this is something you'd wish to consider, but if you were to install a window seat as in the example above that would at least do away with the problem of the curtains hanging in the middle of nowhere, so to speak. That's what I did on both ends of a long family room in a custom-designed house and it did not look at all odd. However, they were not bay windows, and that would make a difference. Still, it might be doable in your case also.

I think we would have to change our windows if we wanted to install a window seat. The ones we currently have go all the way to the baseboard. So that’s not really an option we’d want to explore.

Here is a bay window with just the blinds. I think it looks fine with no curtains. If you get blinds, get the cordless ones. I have them and they raise and lower easily with no hazardous cords.

I am following this with great interest as I have a very similar situation in my living room. I have had consults with several designers and they have all given me the same advice, which is to hang the curtain rod and curtains outside the windows, as shown in the picture near the beginning of this thread by saypoint. My worry about this is that it may look like a “stage” with curtains on each side. The curtains hung this way would also interfere with my furniture.

I would like to hang panels inside the window area. However I am having difficulty finding hardware that would fit because there is less than 1” between the top of the window and the ceiling above (inside the “window” area). I think I need hardware that is mounted to the ceiling. But not sure that is possible or where to find it.

Sorry I have no suggestions, but thanks for posting this question.

I love the look of the blinds in the above picture but this seems more appropriate for a breakfast area than a living room.

Yes, a pox on the person who invented these windows. I have one in the master bedroom !! With a dresser in front of it. Definitely a challenge as I wouldn’t be able to reach blinds mounted on the windows with the dresser there. Still working on it. I’ll have drapes on the outside, but I still need something for privacy and light control unless I want to open and close the drapes every day.

Ceiling mounted hardware is available. Here’s one rod bracket.

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Curtain-Rods-Hardware/featured/6425/subcat.html?featuredproduct=16391550&featuredoption=27234297&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=22742085-000-000&cnc=US&cid=248963&type=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjw6djYBRB8EiwAoAF6oVIGkNA2qB4UD0M0mhxA4amN4igXYD-PeXtRfmREHyr2OG2gCX4rQBoC3bEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CID566WavtsCFYWOswodalUA3g

Saypoint: thanks for the link. I haven’t seen that before. Unfortunately there is less than 1” between the top of our window and the ceiling in the bay window area. Less than in the OP’s picture above. The hardware you posted is awesome but too long at over 3”.

And I agree re: the windows and the placement of them. A total PITA! But they are pretty and were a selling feature for my young self who never thought about curtains when we bought the house. Struggling with it now for 25 years!!

We have duets blinds and panels on a white ‘I” rod that sort of disappears. It is the only unfinished item in my living room. Arghhhh!!

Oh well, if I wait long enough I wil need new windows and then can start over.

Regarding the bamboo blinds: if you want them for privacy they will need to be lined. They are virtually see through at night from outside.

I would simply put a short rod on either side of the window, not going across and place stationary drapes.

colduphere - I think this would work for you. I have this rod in my son's room for the blackout properties, and thought of you last night when taking him to bed. The part that's drilled into the wall is an inch or so below where the rod hangs. So you should easily be able to have your rod above your window with this one, even with your limited space constraints.

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/umbra-twilight-blackout-adjustable-curtain-panel-rod/pp5005310813?pTmplType=regular&rrec=true&rrplacementtype=product1_rr

Maybe 4 panels total in a combination of 2 outside short rods hung high to the ceiling and matching fabric on 2 short rods inside to soften the mullions. I don’t have an exact pic but imagine the combination of these using the same fabric on short rods.

Inside the bay on 2 short rods

Outside the bay - but use the same fabric - on 2 matching short rods

The inside fabric will soften and add depth -again, all fabric the same on short rods.

Just don’t have a bunch of long, dark rods all over the place - let the fabric make the statement - even if as simple as sheers.

Thank you April Burch. I appreciate you thinking about me and my sad living room curtain situation. That Umbra rod looks great, but I would need a rod that can curve into the bay. But I am looking to order one for my sons room ( he will love his room to be darker.).