I'd do outside mount shades, either fabric roman shades or woven roller shades. You could also do top-down-bottom-up if you need privacy and light at the same time.

I cannot find a picture but my sister had the same situation. She had a pleated shade hung across the front edge of the window and it comes down to the front edge of the sill. One shade not individual shades. When down the whole bay window is behind it.

I’d do blinds. I prefer them over shades for being able to control the level of privacy.

My question is how are you mounting them?

Having them meet at just the right spot individually and a narrow header. Not much frame. Top mount?

Laura, I’m not sure, sorry. I’ve had blinds in every one of my homes, lots of different window styles, and the pros would come out and measure and discuss. Maybe someone else knows the technicalities of it and can advise.

Another good aspect of blinds for those windows is the ease of opening/closing.

The install would be ceiling mount-into the top of the window where I see wood is how everything on the window would be installed. You could forgo individual blinds and go straight across the whole window with one blind OR of course deal with curtains on the outside .

Maybe explain the need for privacy I see none in the pic you posted I like roman shades on bay windows they add a bit of color and IMO just look nicer than blinds with all the slats and the heavy look when taken up to allow the view during the day

Patricia! Read the OP better for the love of dog!

”Our bay window is similar to this.”

That is not her window!

Also —

Laura would like to have blinds.

Laura needs privacy at night.

Laura has a loveseat in front of the window which would make shades a real PIA to deal with daily.

To Laura: Patricia hates blinds and no matter what someone else likes, and/or what would function best, always tries to talk people out of them. I’m surprised it took this long. 😄

Motorized treatments would solve the problem of not being able to access. Maybe I don’t understand how blinds are easier to operate than shades. Do you mean to have them down all the time but twist to open and close?

Stiley, yes.

Wow, so many great suggestions! So I guess for the shades, I can only share some inspo, hope it can help you:

Rye Georgian · More Info

Stunning Bay Window Cellular Shades · More Info

Hunter Douglas · More Info

I also recommend this way of curtains on bay windows, which is also very easy to pull open and close. Just need to leave a little space between the wall and the loveseat if you are okay with that. It will also protect privacy very well if you choose blackout curtains.

Hanover West · More Info

Transitional Living Room in Westport, CT · More Info

They look great! My problem is figuring out how to achieve the look. Instillation. Thank you.

All blind companies will have images on how to measure for bay windows. We used to use business cards placed in the corners to get the proper allowances for the top of the blind headers. I found that the centre blind is the most important to have fit properly. We always installed these into the window ceiling as it gave us the best look and a simpler installation. If the blinds on the left and right outside windows go over your framing a bit was never an issue as side panels were often used because there was always a behind blind gap created so drapery side panels finished this off. Depending on how your windows are made there is sometimes the option and putting them inside the windows framing which again was top mounted.