What do your condo rules say about things on the patio?

"I’m trying to gently cover their window for some privacy but not be offensive"

Not gonna happen unfortunately.

How about a trellis planter, with some vines and taller plants? It’s not a permanent structure and it’s moveable. This one is from Wayfair for about $130

I need to see the space from much futher back but it looks like you also share furniture on the patio so I need a bit mor einfo . As for blocking someone elses window IMO a pretty rude thing to do .

"As for blocking someone else window IMO a pretty rude thing to do ."

Exactly. Were it my window it would not be blocked for long. I am sure when you moved in you knew the layout and accepted as what it is.

I’m sure they don’t want to have people right outside looking into their window and will probably address on their end. Could also chat with them to see what would benefit you both.

Can furniture be placed in a grouping further away from window and then add a portable privacy screen horizontally between window and seating

Absolutely agree with the suggestions to talk to the other owner before you place any item in front of their window. In a former condo of mine, one of my living room windows looked out into my neighbors’ entrance patio and she would scream at me to close my window and keep my blinds closed all the time bc she “didn’t want to see or hear my kids”. Yeah, that didn’t go over well at all. Plenty of ways to approach it- I recommend coming with a few solutions like tall plants with movement (tall grasses in a big planter, etc) or a screen with greenery growing. It looks like their window opens to your patio so you could even put in some kind of water feature near the window to help soften any conversations.

Thank you all for the suggestions. Sorry I wasn’t clear- when I said gently cover I didn’t mean to completely block the view. But I was looking for some temporary options ie: the plants to add some privacy but still make it look nice so it’s not offensive when they open their window as well. Right now the unit across is empty.

Still need more pics to understand layout of patio - or drawing or something. is the arrangement of your chairs lined up against the wall a permanent one or are they just sitting there waiting to be arranged? Do you know what room is on other side of that window? Makes a difference to yours & neighbor privacy if it’s an entry hall window or a bedroom window!

Those chairs were from the previous tenant so I just have it there until I get new furniture! It’s the kitchen and their bedroom for the last window. There are other windows that don’t face my unit as well.

We are all not understanding the set up.

Post pictures from all the angles. Since the unit is empty, now might be the time to try something that could benefit both of you.

Kitchen & bedroom? See, I didn’t even realize we were looking at two windows! I thought you just moved the cactus in front of the one window. More pictures from more angles please! And I agree with @eld6161 that this might be the time to try something to ben both of you. If you have something already in place, new neighbors might accept more readily. And, they probably would welcome not having to keep their shades closed for privacy in their bedroom & kitchen! Do check for rules of the condo or apartment managers.

Is this outdoor space exclusively yours? If so, that just sounds like a poor setup with no really great solution. I'd put something there as well. I'm not sure that "blocking their view" would apply, the only thing that you are blocking their view of is your private space (again, if that is accurate). Certainly it would be neighborly to find something visually appealing that would still allow light into their condo while still offering you the desired privacy. If on the other hand this is shared space, then I'd agree with the others that it would probably be rude to do that.

Are all of the condo units like this, and if so, have you checked in with the board or other long time residents? I can't imagine that you would be the first occupant to have this concern. As mentioned above, the folks living there (or will live there) probably feel the same way where they want privacy on the other side of that window.

I would do potted trees. I don't know your general area but if a potted tree would thrive there, that's what I'd do. It also wouldn't be right up against their window but would still provide some privacy. The cactus doesn't do much for privacy and just looks weird IMO. Your other option would be to place privacy screens but without a patio layout with the window locations it's hard to see if it woudl work.

Yes it’s a private space for my unit only.

https://plantcaretoday.com/patio-trees.html

I'd definitely talk to your neighbors before investing in any screening. If everyone is on-board, I suggest growing tall(ish) bamboo in tall pots. The right variety of bamboo would provide some light screening for both units without blocking too much light.

In that case (being your private space) yeah, I wouldn't hesitate to put something there. It wouldn't be very nice to put a portable storage shed in front of the window of something like that, but there have been some good suggestions above. I'd imagine that the occupants will probably end up installing window treatments that they keep mostly closed for their own privacy anyway.

Do your windows overlook your neighbors on the other side?

How do the other condo’s manage this set-up?

my Unit is different from the other units it’s being detached with a patio. So my front doors are the “windows” one of which is my office space I like to leave the doors open to while working. They have other windows looking to the side of building or the courtyard. And my other windows face the back of the building.

Oh ok.

Thos is one of those situations where you wonder what the hell were they thinking when they designed it.

Chances are when the condo across from you is occupied they will want to keep window coverings down so they have privacy. I wouldn't put anything up that blocks the windows. You do need to arrange your furniture so it's in a conversation grouping though, not chairs lined up along the walls.

I agree with Calidesign. it sounds like that unit is currently unoccupied? leave it alone for now, since nobody is even looking out of those windows. when the new neighbor moves in, discuss the dilemma with them.

if they want to be able to get some light and see out a little bit, suggest cafe curtains for their kitchen. for the bedroom, they could do top-down-bottom-up shades, which could be closed for full privacy. (they could layer drapes in front of them too.) it will be a win-win for both of you.

I'll have to beg to differ with @User. If I moved in next door I'd be a mite put off by my new neighbor giving me window treatment suggestions to ensure her privacy on her patio that was my view & my natural light source! I'd be offering to go halves on a beautiful huge potted bamboo thing that would provide me with something pleasant & green to look at, let light into my windows & obscure my view of my neighbor's nice outside patio space that I don't have. My point is, start now to research plant options - you must be in a hot area with those cactus plants outside. A big tree type plant and huge & pretty pots are going to cost a bit. You'll need to figure out watering if you don't have a spigot out there. But, after understanding your patio layout & privacy challenge, tall plants which let light through, like bamboo, seem to be the win-win for both you and your future neighbor. You'll benefit from having greenery to soften your space & give you privacy, your neighbor benefits from gaining privacy and retaining natural light. Looks like that side gets full sun but don't know if it's morning cool sun or afternoon hot baking sun. That's why the plant research needed. If it's hot sun, stay away from metal containers - roots will cook.

I totally agree with Melissa R, do it ASAP!

I wasn't very clear. what I meant was that when the new neighbor moves in, bring up the conundrum and ask if you can work together on a solution. if you start discussing curtains, suggest to them that white cafe curtains or top-down blinds will give them a little bit of a view out and more light than traditional curtains. they might be happy to get the idea. they don't have to do it. (sheers or window film on the lower half is another way to keep light and privacy.)

partially blocking the window from your end will darken their space and give them no control over their own window. I'd be quite annoyed about that, even if it happened before I moved in.

also, let's say you blocked about a third of their window with a plant. understand that looking out is a much wider view than looking in. if their floor a little higher up than your patio floor, their vantage point is even better. they'll be able to see quite a lot out there even if they're just casually passing by. so I really don't think you'll be accomplishing much by putting an object outside the window besides a false sense of privacy.

one other thing that may help a little is to arrange your favorite seating against their wall. when they look out, they'll see the top of your head and maybe whatever you have in your lap. but at least you won't have to awkwardly avoid eye contact.

I disagree with Melissa. Just because the patio is her space, doesn't give her the right to block someone else's window. That just seems wrong.

I would be mad if I moved in and my neighbor had my windows blocked. Use umbrellas or something that you can have open sometimes, blocking 3 windows in any way is not cool. You don't own that exterior wall, even if the space between the units is for you only .

I agree with lucky998877. umbrellas will help (low and angled over chairs, but not blocking windows).

or maybe furniture with built in canopies. like I mentioned above, arrange your favorite seats against their wall so you're not facing their windows.