You need to check a few sizes. If the walls on each side of the window are 30" wide--your window does not look to be 72W. There are maximum sizes cellular shades can be mfg. perhaps your window is too large.

If you did extra long drapes to the floor it would be stunning, plus you could do thermal/black out. Would be way more cheap and less headache than trying to custom this out.

Shades are not the solution. Given the neighbors windows you need curtains as Heather suggests.

I have a similar window and I used a pleated arch that is stationary on top of the window. The lower part of the window is a slider and I used matching Duette Honeycomb blinds that lift up. I also added blackout curtains over the whole window since I needed heat and light control.

The shades were a professional inside mount, but I was able to DIY the curtain rod and curtains. Good luck with your project!

a valance won't cover the top of that arch, it would run into the angled ceiling.

I'd skip the blinds and do drapes using ceiling mounted tracks.

or if you're ok with a little light getting in over the top, a straight rod will look like this. unless this is a bedroom, I think this would be just fine.

there are also curved curtain rods, which is kind of a more traditional look:

Thanks so much to all! So good to get all these thoughts.

My goal also is to be able to have as much clear glass as possible during the day so I want to avoid side vertical stack back into the window glass as I'd like this window opened all day as it lets in great light into the hallway as well.

I think the top of the window will always need to be covered some to avoid that "wonderful" 2nd story view. Ha.

Answering in order here:

Good idea to recheck. The measurements are correct.

Extra long drapes to the floor would be stunning ! I could maybe do faux side panels as there isn't enough stack back room at top corner to mostly clear the glass for draw curtains.

If I go with only curtains, during the day, they'd need to be closed to prevent the neighbors view and I'd like this window opened all day as it lets in great light into the hallway as well.

I like the idea of Duette shades that could be mounted to a horizontal board at the beginning of the arch, it would leave only a few inches of height left to fill in with a DIY solution.

Apple = all good ideas !!! Totally agree with "The neighbor's windows are not going away. Your window needs a semi-permanent solution, hence the wood or cloth fill-ins."

Drats the larger flexible valance rod appears not available but I will continue to look. See pic below for an idea you gave me.

I have never seen drapes up an angled wall! Very interesting for sure. Your pics remind me that I do love the idea of keeping the arch as an architectural feature.

Here is a pic that shows an arched outside mounted valance barely above the glass and I might have just enough room. I could then do inside mount cellular shades.

Cellular shades seem to be the lowest cost as well as maybe have the smallest light gap at the sides.

Frosted window film for the glass above the blinds. 1" blinds that you can partially open to let light in (your neighbors won't be able to see in from certain angles). Ask the blinds company how they might be installed with brackets that attach to the sides of the window casing (inside mount).

Or instead of blinds, consider solar shades with around a 5-10% open weave, which will let light in and you won't feel as boxed in, as you will be able to see out a little. They will be really difficult for neighbors to see through during the day.

Add drapes to trim it all out. If you did solar shades, then the drapes can be closed at night for full privacy.

Very nice. Gosh thanks much, I like it!

Windows like that are pain in the ass. I'd do the curved curtain rod and this is speaking from some experience after getting custom shutters that were more than a little pricey .

Yes, these windows are a pain! Plus, the builder put in too large of an arch window leaving NO wall room. Its been so hard to figure out !

Yes, I love shutters, they'd work great and yes they are $$$$$ as bids are at $2400 - $2800 for my window !!

Also, the bottom up arch filling blinds you show are not an option as it is the TOP of the window that must be covered at all times as that's the area where the 2nd story neighbors view into my room.

Interestingly, non of my area blind shops or online shops offer these bottom up arch filling blinds. I too noticed them via internet searching but no one seems to really offer them.

Do the shade in two parts. The upper part is stationary and the lower part goes up and down.

Beverly, no one in my area does the FIRST pic nor can I find them online.

I too saw this first photo in several places online but when I try to find it to learn more, and I call a site that has this pic, they don't do it or don't know what this is.

I've had several company's blind installers here to measure and have shown them this pic and they all say they don't do it nor know any company that does.

Thank you tho as its a good idea - just hard to execute I believe.

Beverly's 2nd picture is a custom Roman shade, inside mount. The shade would pull up only to where the curve starts. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1159469229/arched-roman-shades-custom

Yes, Thanks mick. I failed to say my answer to Beverly was for her FIRST pic in her post above yours.

Getting a custom roman shade inside mount is no problem.

It's price is the problem. Ha.

Wish budget were not an issue.

Two low budget ideas:

1- Mount a $5-$10 wood board across the window where the arch starts. Attach the existing paper shades to it. Then use $1 water soluble poster paint to obscure the arch glass above it. Paper shades can last several years if not in direct sunlight. Note that it might be possible to find a flat tension rod instead of a board, if so, attach the paper shades to the tension rod.

2. Place a $20 sturdy (not skinny) tension rod across the window where the arch starts. Add panel curtains ($20-$100). Cut a $10 foamcore board to fit the arch, paint to match the walls, wedge it carefully into place.

Thanks so much to apple_pie_order and SeattleMCM ! Great ideas.

My budget was $500.

My budget so far is $750 :

Cellular shade on sale = $400

Fabric to make outside mount faux side curtains = $150

Misc : 2X2 wood board to mount shade, curtain rods/rings, frosted film or foam board = $100

Hired labor = $100.

Check with a good cellular shade company to see if the weight of such a big shade will be okay. This is a very large window. If cellular shades are too heavy, check the weight of lighter accordion pleated shades. A professional company will tell you what kind of board (or wooden box) and hardware installation you need to support the weight of the shades safely and without sagging. Labor in my area would be much more than $100 to build and install. If they say "no way", then consider alternative window coverings such as lightweight unlined curtains.

I don't think it needs to be that complicated though. Have you tried asking the shade company if there's any way to inside mount the shade from the sides instead of the top?

Then skip the valance or trim wood. Cellular shades have such sleek headrail designs that they really don't need masking. Plus the curtain rod cutting across that will help mask it a little.

DIY curtains are a great idea, but you can also just buy very nice looking drapes and a rod for under $150 from most big box stores, Ikea, or the A store. I've seen really good looking ones at Target. (How long do you need the rod to be? If it's longer than standard, I can help advise you on that.)

For the frosted film, do you think that's something you could maybe DIY? This one is a "static cling" style, which is repositionable. It has a rice paper texture, which will mask any tiny bubbles or bits of dust that may sneak in during the application process. Also, it's pretty!

Here's a video describing a good method for trimming the film.

One other thing: for cellular shades, I strongly recommend getting the "continuous loop" type of pull cord. I've had the cordless kind before, and they break so easily! The loop is a tiny bit slower, but worth it.

Gosh, I read your ideas/questions and then go out and do more work. Excellent !

apple_pie_order
On weight - yes its a large 72W X 106H to the arch peak.

72W X 88H (estimate) to the start of a possible DIY horizontal wood board (2X2?) to allow the shade to be "wall" mounted on the front of the board.

This leaves a ~12" arch area above to frost film or foam board. Still not sure what height above the arch is the best look?

A shade installer said this DIY board could support "Duettes" without sagging but said for example would not support wood blinds.

My Local Hunter Douglas store says they would use a similar concept from their wood shutter "Heritance" series as a horizontal board. $800 Duette shade + $300 board + $250 install = $1350.

I like the "lighter accordion pleated shades" look but can't seem to find them to order. Ideas?

The labor is mostly mine, DIY, except for $100 estimate of handyman time

SeattleMCM

"any way to inside mount the shade from the sides?

No, the side mount will not work because the window width > 48" which then I'm told requires top or wall mount or the shade will sag.

"How long do you need the rod to be?"

Current estimate = 90" W allows 9" on each side of 72W window for faux curtains to hang

I will check into premade curtains as I'd love to not have to make them

Yes, I'd DIY the film.

Good info in the cordless loop.

I'm told requires top or wall mount or the shade will sag.

I find that hard to believe. Those headrails are made of really strong metal. Mine are 58" wide and the brackets are installed 50" apart from each other. No sagging in the middle. But I wonder if it's a different problem, like if they are side mounted and that heavy, that the headrail would tilt forward? IDK. Did you get more than one opinion? I'm not doubting what the sales person told you, but I just wonder.

Another option would be roller shades. Those can definitely be mounted at the edges, even when really long. IDK what the max length is, but your 47" falls well within it. If you want full privacy but allow light in, "light filtering" white shades should do.

For the curtains, normally you'd need to support a rod that long in the middle, so that's a conundrum. How DIY do you want to get? Back when I had an extremely tiny budget (my "ramen noodle" college days), I used metal conduit from home depot for curtain rods, with a 1.25" diameter. They're cheap and strong. You can get them to cut it for you. Spray paint it black or soft gold. Buy separate brackets in a matching color, or spray paint those too. If you think you will ever close the drapes, you need to get ones that are relatively light weight. But in your case it sounds like they're just decorative only? So as long as you always keep them open, the long rod with heavy drapes won't sag. (This sounds like such a hack, but long curtain rods can get really expensive so it's a great workaround.) Here are some good instructions, including how to do the finials.

If you don't want to do conduit, I have another idea -- it will cost more but not involve spray painting. Let me know!

re: the head rail on the shades. for some reason I read your comment that it needed to be 48". Maybe if your window is 72" wide, maybe (?) that is too long to side mount accordian shades. But I do know for a fact that you can get roller shades that long.

Google "pleated shades" for a store near you.

apple_pie_order

SeattleMCM

Yes my window is 72"W meaning its greater than the 48 inch MAX width for side mount shades.

Will check out roller shades.

Was hoping the DIY horizontal wood board across the window that is needed to mount the shade could also be used to support a longer 90" curtain rod.

I've seen center support curtain rod brackets with a C cup that extend on top and past the shade's top header rail to support the rod and that might work...

If not then I'd need to look at short rods on each side that do not go across the window.

I did find online pleated shades via google and at Loews/Home Depot but its hard to find them in my needed length. One Blind website offers tall pleated shades yet are more $$ than the cellular.

Thanks so very much for all your wonderful help. I'll get there !