I don't get this whole privacy thing. I don't do anything in my living room or back yard that I give a damn if anyone sees. Hell, I'd post a live cam, but y'all'd be bored to death in 5 minutes.

Until you find what you like, I’d remove the sheers and remove the tie-backs (but keep the blinds for privacy) ... then pull the panels to the sides. They look like nice curtains and would work until you decide on something else.

It is interesting what some people feel about privacy. I could never live in a house that has a window that close to mine.

I own two homes. Both are relatively close to neighbors, but neither has window views of neighbors windows.

I totally get wanting privacy.

You can create an indoor garden with a lot of tall trees and plants, real or artificial. I totally get your need for privacy. Removing the tiebacks would give a more modern feel.

Position the slats of the blinds so that they face upwards. This will give privacy and still allow good daylight into the room. I agree with removing the sheers and the tiebacks to update the look. If you choose to have new drapes please be sure they are lined.

I would not remove the sheers. You need them during the day...

A panelled screen might help obscure the view.

Can’t tell what your furniture arrangement options are but if you’re able to position back of sofa to window, the view becomes less a focal point. placing plants / trees as one suggested, behind the sofa would add to the screening. Or, even a sofa table between window & sofa with lamps placed on it will distract with something lose up to look at. I’d also get a window treatment advisor / company in there to see what kind of window treatments they suggest as likely they have seen many challenge.

Something like this. Maybe not brown.

Not sure if the neighbors look down into your windows nor your decor but a plantation shutter may work. You could always add a top one, too.

half plantation shutters - Google Search · More Info

Might be pricey but you could get frosted look window film. There are companies that make it in a variety of styles. Blossom and Brush is one company.

you could use that instead of sheers and have more standard window treatments over it.

Film. My daughter used the fancy films on her windows. She has a basement apartment that everyone can see in as they walk by but no light if they blocked it with heavy curtains. They really looked nice ;^)

The tie backs are the biggest offender. As Jinx mentioned above, remove the tiebacks and reposition the panels and snap a picture. Then take off the panels and take another picture.

IMO a nice simple drape not tied no sheers and be done I do agree with Joseph about the whole privacy thing. My thought has always been if some one spends the day wanting to see what I am doing have fun. IMO bottom blinds will really do nothing unless they cover at least 80% of the window. What room in the house next door looks into your space ?

When houses are positioned like this, it is not just a simple matter of privacy. It grows into an uncomfortable feeling that surpasses the most obvious privacy issues and becomes a more deeply disturbing feeling of what is outside that window being a back drop to your own private space.

It is supremely disappointing to have a nice window only to look out and see your neighbors house. No matter what you frame into that window, no matter what placement or choice of furniture or color palette you are working with, it will always be against the back drop of your neighbors house and window. It is unmovable and you have absolutely no control over it. It is like a piece of art that is hung on the walls, it is uninteresting or ugly and you can't remove it.

I have never understood why so many houses are built like that, with those huge windows and absolutely no regard, whatsoever, of what is outside of that window.

Actually, I do understand that. It is so that they can sell it as a design feature and also so that more houses can be snugged up next to each other to create more profit for the developer.

Around where I live the building is going so strong and these very large houses are going up so close to one another that there is barely enough room to run a lawn mower down between them.! And, I am NOT exaggerating! These builders around here must have gotten some permit to put the house so close to the property line. It is almost like a cavern between them, it is so narrow. And these are big and expensive houses with big feature windows.

I remember being at the home of. a relative down in Florida and I was startled to see a man looking directly into their window. Actually he was just the neighbor who was standing outside of his own house which happened to be the same as standing outside of their window.

The sad truth is that you just cannot disguise your neighbors house. It is what it is and it it not going anywhere. It is always going to be framed right there as a part of your decor unless you completely cover up your nice window.

Whatever that blue is on your neighbors house even reflects on your mirrored surfaces in your room.

If you put up a folding screen or heavy drapes, it would negate the window. Besides, the view of next door goes all the way up the window.

Nice window, horrible view! Sorry, but that is just the truth of it. I see that the previous owners grappled with this, too as evidenced by the three layers that they tried to use.

You are just going to have to find some acceptance for your neighbors blue windows and their siding. I can understand why it bothers you.

You can change the inside, but you have no control over the outside.

I'd try to expose any light and view that does not show the neighbor's window. Not exactly transitional, but possibly a huge artwork (painting/print/fabric) hung from ceiling to block the neighbor's window. I've seen this done in a city apartment with walls entirely of glass, and it looked great. In their case, it was because they needed more wall space to hang art, but it could be adapted for your situation. If I can find the photo of city apartment, I'll post it.

I suppose a more transitional / traditional route would be to hang stained glass rather than other type of artwork. That could be gorgeous, but expensive.

Not the photo I remember, but gives an idea

Privacy - For me, it's that people can see I am home and I live alone. Never been about what someone might see. So I understand wanting to obscure the view. A simple drape that can be pulled at night is what I would go for. Since I live in AZ I do have cellular shades in addition to the drapes (for sun blockage in Summer).

Top-down, bottom-up shades may be an option. You can let light in by dropping the top of the shade but leave the bottom down for privacy and leave the sheers to soften the overall look.

Stained glass windows would work. Try it out with window film in stained glass patterns.

"Austin Oak" bathroom stained glass window · More Info

Another option is to have white full-length draperies made in an opaque fabric and keeping them closed.

Shutters! You can allow the light in at the top and completely block the bottom. Plus they will add interest to your room. If you are looking for privacy 100% of the time, it seems like the best solution.

Have you tried unlaying the window treatments? It looks like you have 3 layers so why not start by taking off the drapes and see how that works. Then play around with the sheers to see if having them with the blinds achieves what you want and if not, then remove the sheers and go from there.