The single rod is a great idea. The small wall in the middle can hold half the curtains from each of the windows but please be sure to allow the rod on each end to be long enough to hold the other halves. The extra light will be great. Also, if you want or need privacy, consider a double rod with sheers as well as drapes. Good luck!

Hi Christine. I kind of agree with your husband. I think it would look strange to have one rod go across both the slider and window with drapery panels. What I would suggest as another option is to do drapery on the sliding door and then a fabric shade in either the same fabric as the drapery or a coordinating fabric on the window. I attached of photo of how that could look. This solution also avoids any hassle the drapery will be when it is behind the chest you have under the window.

I did that in my previous house and it was great! Very similar to your setup. I think it would look weird with 2 separate rods. Go for it!