hi Ninigret, thanks for your reply. Mostly for aesthetics; second for night time privacy. Not sure if we need to soften the space?

Vertical blinds were the first thing that popped in my head. Something like this might work.

Yikes. No vertical blinds. I’d do a simple shade. Or you could do full length drapes which would look nice at night when closed but a bit off when open.

There are a few companies that make a sliding panel product they could be ceiling mounted and serve your purpose.

As an alternative for your walls that would be fun for your basement, you might want to consider
something unique and easy to paint, personalize and install such as 3D wall
panels, textured wall paper or adhesive wall tiles (glass, gel or stone). Check
out some ideas here: https://www.houzz.com/projects/1258135/wall-decor

Hi, here's a nighttime photo--I guess the windows bother me more at night than the day!

i can appreciate the black rectangles arent so great. i hope someone comes up with a solution. my first thought is roman shades, roller shades, something.... but you dont have a lot of head room over top the windows, and the headers for whatever you choose will eat up 10% of your daylight windows.

here is the google link for 'short windows in basement'. i guess, pick your poison. remember that the shades will block your window somewhat even when pulled up all the way. the shutters might work as they don't need any head room.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CAACAO_enUS789US790&biw=1536&bih=753&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=DqrMWtSAN8mkjwSYlr_ICA&q=short+windows+in+basement&oq=short+windows+in+basement&gs_l=psy-ab.3...19088.22266.0.23129.25.22.0.3.3.0.95.1507.22.22.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.14.856...0j0i67k1j0i5i30k1j0i8i30k1j0i8i10i30k1j0i30k1.0.Dcco89_FQ-4