Sarah, a lot depends on the ultimate finished look you want for the room. Search Houzz for photos of rooms with panel blinds to get a better idea. I do like panel blinds - considered using them myself but then decided the look was too austere for my taste and how I wanted the room to look. If you do decide on them, I think I would take them across the window too to fill the whole wall and give the room a more elegant look. Two different finishes can break the room up and look bitty. The second window could have a roller blind. If you are using a thermal blind though, use a double blind with a mesh for daytime to let the light in. The thermal blinds do keep light out and can make a room very dull. You could do sheers from the ceiling without recessing them - not as luxurious a look, but they will still look very nice. You would almost end up with two walls of curtains but it would make the room look very inviting and offset your heavy furniture.

Thanks team. Here's another idea - what about white wooden blinds? I actually like having no coverings on the windows for most of the time. eg. We have great views west and east, so the doors/windows are normally open 6 months of the year. They still need to be dressed, but with something that doesn't hinder the view. They could be up for most of the summer, and only let down if I need to keep some heat out or in winter to keep the cold out. I'm concerned they would be too heavy to operate being most of my window/door widths are 240cm. I've never worked with a consultant before... should I get someone to come in and give me a professional opinion?

If you're renting why are you worried? The blinds look like they function ok and by the looks of them they look in good condition. Seems like a waste of money and time to be bothered changing only to change back once lease is up.

No, not without losing the curtain pole, and it gets cold in the winter so we want to keep it. Sliding shutters would look great but we have two similar windows and as you can see there isn't space for them to fully open, or is there? I think panels might be best but I don't know what would look best. I want to have full sun coming in in the winter and shade in the summer, this is a west facing window.