I guess it's no different when one looks out the side windows of their home and seeing only the neighbor's house. I can control the front and back view so make the best of those. This subdivision living is for the birds, lol

This is a single family home - the 2nd floor bedroom window is adjacent to the Neighbor’s house. Trellis? English Ivy? Grow a tree? Bamboo? Build a tall fence and have an artist draw a mural? How about doing something interior?!

Consider looking into decorative window film, you can search for it on this website. Photo is just an example and there's many to choose from even one that just blurs the view. Maybe you'll see one you like that blends with your interior.

Can you go out in the yard and take a pic of the window from there?

I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve. If the neighbor's house were painted and fresh looking, would that be okay or are you looking to create an interesting thing to look at on a broader perspective i.e. down the fence line?

There are many window plants shelving units available. Even if you aren't into "gardening" good faux plants will do.

A seamless shutter allows tilted louvers to let in natural light and minimize view.

Macrame allow natural light in, too.

Is the old and peeling paint on the yellow siding wall, the neighboring yellow stucco wall or the gray house in the distance?

1. The yellow house is the bothering - Homeowners are retired people so probably will not spend money on new paint.

2. The view looks out a narrow garden area.

3. Below the widow is an exit door.

4. Will hanging indoor plants create a focal point and draw more attention?
   

   

From inside the room

I want to make sure I'm understanding the perspectives here. When you are looking out the window, the wall to the left is the neighbors house. The wall to the right is your house. Below your window is a boarded up door- what is that? Is that yours? If so, is that going to be used as a door again?

Who is responsible for the yard we see when we look out the window?

Me. Responsible.

Yard to the right of the fence when we look out the window - I’m responsible - abs going to do new landscaping.

How about a little secret garden in this narrow way?

Yes. When we are looking out the window. The wall to the left is the neighbour’s house.

The wall to the right is my house. We will repaint the whole house. We will redo landscaping. The house is undergoing down to the stud Reno.

The boarded up area downstairs (below the problematic window). The door is where you go to go out into the garden.

The thing that bothers me the most is this view - as you enter the bedroom - standing at the bedroom door upon tending the room is this window is big piece of the Neighbour’s chipped and mildly mildews exterior paint - in beige.

At least you are not looking into their bedroom. It’s really not bad, honestly. Just buy some nice window dressings and fix up the yard.

You must be in San Francisco.

There's nothing you can do about your neighbor's house unless you get their permission to paint that wall (at your expense) when your house is painted. It could be worse . . . they could paint the house a gawdawful color! Do what you can do on your own property and add some tall plants by the window. Good luck with your remodel.

I would start with having some compassion for the neighbors. And btw it is really not their fault that you decided to move in.

Hang a curtain, and put something in your own yard to look at.

Put up some blinds or drapes. Unless you plan on paying to have your neighbors house painted and they agree there is nothing you can do about it. The only view your entitled to is the view within your property lines.

A sheer Curtain looks nice. Neighbor has 5+ houses / 8 figure millionaire. They probably just don’t mind stuff like this.
Our renovation is to bring love to this house under reno. Agree to focus exclusively on what we can do on our side. Believe that the renovation will ultimately benefit the neighbourhood - including the Neighbor’s. Showing home ownership pride on this street! When we paint this house - it will match it he Color of the sky to minimise visual clutter.

The red plants and white plants also look nice? Any other plants suggestion for this view?

You could mount a flag holder standard outside to the left of your window and hang a large beautiful colorful banner that would block the view of much of the wall and give you something else to look at. IIt would kind of mimic a mural painted there. I would hate to lose the light from the window that curtains would cause. It is a plus that you don’t need privacy there.

Not suggsting this one but just to show the cocept. Etsy has a great selection.

You've got A LOT of cleaning up and soil prep work to do in that yard before picking plants. Once you've cleaned it up, study the patterns and length of sun and shade throughout the day. Then decide where and what to plant. Then do the proper soil prep for each plant and then plant your selections.

Thanks for additional info. Since you may not have been the owner when the house was last painted, we can infer some history. The neighbor's beige (yellow on my screen) horizontal siding wall is the same color as your house, implying it was painted at the same time as your house, probably with permission from your neighbors. Ask them for permission this time, too. IME, a batch of cookies and a friendly chat go a long way between neighbors.

Hanging a beautiful print or simple white curtain that draws to the left of the window as @freedomplace1 shows will obscure the window view of the wall next door. You could reuse it after your down to the studs renovation.

The landscape renovation may take note that the fence closest to the house looks like it is a bit over the likely property line (closer to your neighbor's house than to your house). If you are spending big bucks on landscape rather than on a few petunias, it'd be good to know where the property line is so that your landscaping crew doesn't encroach by mistake. If you are not familiar already with easements and setbacks in your area, this would be a good time to find out.

Just curious: what geographical area are you in, roughly?

I would look into a hanging pulley system to install outside your window with plants you can tend to from inside and that can distract from the view. The strip garden is a good idea too. Look for low maintenance plants suitable for the sun and watering conditions in your locale.

Thank you everyone who choked in with your great suggestions! Truly appreciate.

*chimed in

IMO how much time is spent looking out that window ? really it is just IMO for ventilation and egress in a fire hang some nic edrapes that work with the decor get some good lighting and move on.