I like your Roman shade idea. I would do one for each window. I suspect that one large one might be more challenging to raise and lower each morning and evening. Congratulations on your new space!

How long are you planning to be in this apartment? If not long, It may not make sense to spend a lot of $ on window treatments. I’m not sure an upholstered cornice with just sheers is the way to go, though. Maybe just me, but sheers only with no curtains makes me feel like the curtain panels are missing! Whatever you do, the current curtain rod is too low and should be raised higher, and any top of window treatment should be as high as possible.to make your ceiling feel higher.
as possible, to make your ceiling feel higher.

You might want to show the entire room in order to get helpful advice. There are multiple ways to treat double windows like you have. What else is in your room?

chloe00s, I plan on being in this apartment for at least five years, hopefully longer. But that doesn't mean I intend to spend a lot of money on window treatments. I'll DIY whatever I can or look for bargains.

Diana Bier, I will not be posting more pictures of the space. It's a small bedroom with the usual bedroom furniture. I just want to know what type of window treatments are possible or make sense for this type of window arrangement. I don't need advice on the decor side of it, just more the mechanical/practical side. Know what I mean? What are the multiple options for these kinds of windows?

melindas1977, thank you for the congratulations! I don't quite understand how raising a wide Roman shade would be too challenging, but I really like the look of the one Roman shade covering the two side-by-side windows in this image:

Traditional Bedroom · More Info

Not sure if Roman shades have to be used alone or if they can work with curtains. Off to look for more images...

If you rent and not own I would leave any blinds that are there because they could possibly be part of the apartment. I personally would do grommet drapery side panels and treat it as one window. Grommet panels are a great price with many choices of patterns, plain fabric as well as textured fabric and most of all the price and choice and availability is great. Since you are a DIY person (as I am as well) IF you love your bedding fabric you could hang a set of twin sheets that match that you turned into drapery using a drapery rod with clip pinch hooks. A great no sew project.

IMO that is one window. I think an upholstered cornice board it too heavy looking with sheers.. I think in the bedroom maybe keep the blinds for privacy but in the LR if heat and UV are issues do solar shades so you get to keep any view you have but control the UV and heat. Then use nice drapes or nothing depending on the space .I find any bilind installed on those type of windows is best when one since trying to keep 2 even is a real PITA always .

They are two windows mulled together. Depending on how they are mulled and trimmed out, they could be treated as two windows or one window. How they are treated also depends on the type of window treatment.

In my house my mulls are wide because they hide a hurricane rated metal post. I have individual inside mounted cellular shades and one outside mounted curtain rod (placed high and wide) with decorative drapes.

"What are the multiple options for these kinds of windows?"

Here are some options:

• natural woven wood/bamboo shades, either one or two,
• curtain panels on rods with sheer curtains underneath,
• sheer vane shades (like Hunter Douglas Silhouettes) one or two,
• solar shades one or two,
• roller shades one or two,
• wood blinds one or two,
• cornice with shade(s) underneath,
• soft valance with shade(s) underneath,
• cellular shades, one or two
• vertical blinds.

I probably left out a couple. Which would you prefer? Also you need to see if you can mount them inside the frame or outside. Google each of them for images and then you can decide.

Lorraine Leroux, it's easy enough to pop out the cheap plastic blinds they put in and keep them in the closet for the next tenant if/when I leave here. As long as I don't get rid of them, I'm fine, so I'm not worried about that. And thanks for your suggestion of grommet panels, but I hate grommet curtains. I had them in my last apartment because they were all I could find in the length I needed, but I think they are ugly and that style looks outdated to me. But I appreciate you trying to help.

Diana Bier, thanks for that list! For my BR, I like the idea of Roman shades, woven wood or bamboo shades, curtains on rods either alone or with sheer curtains underneath, some kind of roller shades made with nice fabric, a cornice with shades or light curtains underneath, or soft valance with same. The bamboo shade option is probably out of my reach price-wise, so I will nix that one.

One more thought--The Vermont Country Store has a great selection of curtains, valances, shades, etc. They're very nice quality and less expensive than having the treatments custom made.

Thanks, Diana! A streamlined look appeals to me. I have a mix of patterns in the BR, so keeping the lines simple seems the best way to go. The width of the opening for both windows together is only 70" so I think I can handle a blind that goes across both.

And thanks for recommending the Vermont Country Store. I have visited their website many times in the past but don't think I ever ordered anything from them. I sew and a Roman shade is pretty easy to make, plus I like how they look. Custom was never an option unless I make them myself!

I am glad to learn (and see from photos here) that it isn't weird to have one shade going across two windows that are side-by-side. I just never had windows right next to each other in any of my apartments before, so I wasn't sure how to dress them.

My comment regarding raising/lowering single vs. double comes from added weight of a double. It depends, of course, on weight of fabric selection, if they are lined, etc.

I bought pinch pleat sheers for my living room French doors and windows from VCS, and I love them. They were very reasonably priced and well made.

Windows and Window Treatments · More Info

Windows and Window Treatments · More Info

I have this situation in a house that I own. When I moved in only the ugly metal blinds were up (white) with a separate blind for each window-double window like yours.

I thought about what was needed and affordable. The blinds were dirty but in good shape so I took them outside for a thorough sudsing/rinsing/drying. If you are in an apartment with no access to a garden hose you can use the bathtub. or shower. Just put an old sheet in the bottom to avoid scratches.

I put them back up and they were very functional. Bedroom privacy is quite important. But they still allow light in during the day.Curtains that are heavy or Roman shades will generally darken the room.

I went to Pottery Barn and bought embroidered voile , very translucent, floor length sheers to hang over the blinds. (on sale-sales are everywhere-white sheers come at many price points) They look much nicer and I have both privacy and pretty curtains. I live in a city so they are seldom open but the room faces east and south and is always light.

One thing about how it is Ok to cover the baseboard heaters? I am not sure that I concur.

I have 2 sets of these windows. One set is behind the bed. A return air vent is also behind the bed. The curtains get very dirty back there filtering the return air. It always washes out but hanging anything over a functoning vented system : it will collect dirt. Also it is not really safe to hang fabric over any heat source. Good luck with your choices. It is always fun to make it work.

@Mary Holden, the baseboard heaters use hot water to generate heat through a grill opening. There are no "return air vents." Yes, they create heat but no soot and not at the intensity of an electric heater. Electric heaters are the type that should never have anything flammable near them, but it's no big deal with hot water radiant heaters. In fact, the wall to wall carpet in the bedroom actually lies right underneath the heaters. They are basically modern versions of old-fashioned radiators that used steam. My curtains went down to the floor in my last apartment, which had the same type of radiant heaters. I looked into it before I moved in and was assured by many people that there is no risk of fire if curtains are touching hot-water baseboard heaters. Lived there four years and had no problems.

Also, regarding the blinds that came with the apartment, I wish they were nice metal ones like Levolor makes, but they are cheap plastic and two of them don't even work properly. If I could afford some Levolors, I would get them, because I do like having the ability of adjusting how much light comes in with them. But I can't spend hundreds of dollars on window treatments, especially for a rental. That's why, in the living room, I'm DIYing something with fabric and sheers I already have. For the bedroom, what I can afford is to buy fabric from a nearby discount fabric warehouse that specializes in home dec, and sew up something.

I like the look of Roman shades and would use lightweight fabric in a neutral or light color. The windows only get indirect light and my rooms are small, which is why I've mentioned here that I do not want anything heavy-looking on the windows. I have no intention of using some kind of heavy or dark fabric. Privacy is not an issue as my windows look out into a row of trees and a meadow beyond. No neighbors to peer in! My blinds are open all the way up, all day long. That being said, it feels weird not to close the blinds at night, which I do out of habit. Anyway, I just have to decide whether I want to put two shades up next to each other or have one spanning across both windows.

A big box store ( Home Depot, Lowes) has faux wood white 2” blinds for a very reasonable price. They also have wooden ones in various finishes for a reasonable price. These are off the shelf sizes, not custom, but a big selection so you may be able to find what you want. Easy install and would like nice under sheers.

Another fan of Vermont Country Store curtains- well made and great variety

@pkpk23, I just checked both Lowe's and Home Depot. You and I clearly have different ideas on what "reasonably priced" means! But thank you for your suggestion. I can't afford nicer blinds, but am looking at their other options in case I cannot DIY something.

i am pricing some lined bamboo blinds for a bedroom and have noticed that Lowes and HD will often have 30% off window treatment sales over a hollday weekend in case that’s helpful - you are lucky that you can sew your own tho, that’s the best!

I like having window treatments closed at night as well, much cozier than the large black boxes that windows become when it’s dark - looking forward to seeing what you choose :)

thriftyboho:

I agree that Lowes and Home Depot are overpriced for home accessories. Never buy a lamp there for example. I would always look for sales. Sometimes a higher priced ( Pottery Barn for example) will have a really good clearance. I lucked out when I pursued this strategy. I had 2 sets of windows and thought I needed 8 panels. They only had 7 left at an irresistible price. I put the 3 behind the headboard and the 4 on the window that is more visible. No one can tell.

I did not realize that your blinds were plastic. I concur with you though. Cover the frames with something more attractive and you will be good to go.

I used Roman shades in my daughter's bedroom. The fabric has held up fine but the tapes deteriorated. So they can no longer be raised and lowered. The window faces east. The rising sun basically melted and shredded them over time. I have had no success in finding anyone who is willing to fix it. This is not the kind of thing I usually want to do although I probably could given long days of frustration. It looks straightforward but I know my limits.

Good luck and we'd love to see photos of your finished solution.

I vote for custom (made by you) Roman shades. One for the double window. If you’re choosing the fabric, you can control the weight factor. Your talent for this task should give you a better, more perfect outcome.

I live on a large farm with NO neighbors, but shut all the blinds at night. I think there is a “creepy” factor operating unconsciously when it’s dark outside, you’re getting ready for bed and there’s a big black hole (or several) in your room. We’ve all heard enough boogeyman stories in our childhood to make shutting the blinds a reflex.

I'd keep the existing blinds for privacy. Then add curtains on the sides only for a pop of color. Perhaps picking a color in your comforter. Easy to make them yourself. You don't need them to fully cover your window, just for interest. you might want to put up a longer rod. Not sure what your design preferences are. My suggestion may be a bit modern and minimalistic. ( I'm not a bif fan of roman shades.) Good luck.

I'd treat the pair of windows as one since the divider in the middle is backset. I would do a roller shade for an apartment with sheers in front that can be closed for semi-privacy or fully open for full sun, and just shut the roller shade at night or when changing. We bought scalloped roller shades with fringes on the ends for our first house. I was very cute under sheer patterned curtain panels pulled to the side. The store we got them form no longer sells them, otherwise I was planning on getting those for our sunporch.

@Barbara Almandarz, I appreciate your suggestion, but the idea of hanging up curtains that one would never use seems totally wasteful to me. For me, decor needs to be practical as well, and having fake drapes seems rather impractical. So, no, if I hang curtains, I must be able to open and close them. And if I do Roman shades, they would be sort of modern with straight lines. My personal style is eclectic leaning into a combo of organic modern and boho, but my BR leans a bit more transitional. And, as I stated in my original post, I have no intention of using that stupid curtain rod that the previous tenant left behind.

I am repeating myself again, but I don't need to worry about privacy. I will definitely take down the cheap plastic blinds that came with the apartment and stick them in the closet. I think they look terrible and one in each room doesn't even work properly.

I am now contemplating a totally different approach instead of Roman shades. Going to see if I can find some images that go with my idea, and then will post here again.

If possible agree that one looks better than two. Not sure if you like this look, but diy and I was looking at tie up curtains but they look perhaps more farmhouse style than you would prefer. But if there is a slight ‘skinny” rod in the bottom hem, you could use like a tie up but not so farmhouse looking. Depends on the fabric you find as well for the look you want. These may be too much trouble to raise and lower but thought to share here for you :).

If your fabric is light weight, you may could even have a draw string on the right to raise like a corded roller shade. With two cords where you would have ties. Operating like a bamboo roller shade. That of course doesn’t fit the bill like shades do like you said you liked to filter the light at different times as do the louvered slatted metal Levelor blinds.

Would have a cord like mine to the side or if you wanted to raise and tie them. The mechanism up in behind the valance is pretty straight forward. But again, if you have one wide enough to cover both openings, I would look for a lightweight feel of fabric just to keep things easier/less heavy on the lift.

Sorry forgot pic

Another idea would be to DIY a faux roman shade with the existing blind tucked under instead of hiding them in a closet.

This way, the blind could be used if needed for privacy or light control. A faux roman is obviously less fabric (less $$) and avoids the rings and strings. Lots of DIYs on the web for different mounting techniques. I would suggest you line the roman so the light and the blind doesn’t show through. Good luck.

The Roman shades in that photo ^^^ don't look like they're faux. There are too many pleats. A faux shade would have 2 or 3 pleats at most.

@ ratherbesewing , I disagree with the idea that it would be better to keep the ugly plastic blinds (two of which do not work) on the windows, hidden by a Roman shade, than to take them down and stick them in the closet. I intend to take them down, period, no matter what treatment I use as a replacement.

Anyway, I've figured out what I will do. I really only wanted to know whether the windows should be treated as one or two. That was the crux of the matter. No more suggestions are needed. Thanks, everyone!

Hi there thriftyboho, if possible, since you posted here for advice, would sure like to see what you come up with, as an update, when you get your window dressing done.