Privacy from whom? Deer? Raccoons? :)

In the back, wooded area there doesn't seem to be a human-related privacy issue.

In your picture, I don’t see anything on the left side of your house. But I see a fence on the right- so I am thinking there may be a neighbor there (?). You could do a pergola, as you mention, and hang curtains. Or a gazebo. Or maybe just privacy screens.

Many people on this board tend to suggest that people install trees, bamboo, trellises, etc., etc.- but that can take time, and is a project. And depending on the setup and the particular privacy issues- those methods may ultimately end up being less effective, than erecting a structure or screens would be.

So managing these privacy issues is really very case specific and very personal preference specific.

Privacy from animals mostly and my neighbor (ai like them but don’t want them able to readily look at me in the backyard).

For the animals, maybe you need fencing- I don’t know the situation. For the neighbors- if they have an overview of your yard, then a gazebo is the best- although a pergola can work, too. If they just have a side view, then just privacy screens may work.

Another option is a patio cover. And you could attach a curtain on one side.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/VEIKOUS-Patio-Cover-8-Feet-x-10-Feet-Black/5016225279#no_universal_links

I don't see the privacy issue, and as for animals, most can climb or jump a fence. Keep you trash under cover.

What I do see is you need landscaping.

You have that great cement 'patio' at the front entry. Add a pergola for shade.

I don’t understand WHERE your neighbors are. All you have shown us in YOUR property so we can’t tell where the peering eyes are coming from. We need to know that to figure out how to block them.

Do the neighbors have a two-story home and look down on you? Are they across the street? On the other side of the trees? Next door? Help us help you.

Is your house the brown house and the neighbors the gray one? A fence would be great for giving you some privacy when you are in your backyard. Here a block wall would be best but where you are a 6 ft wood fence would work fine and fences can be built along slopes.

Consider addressing the landscaping first. As you mention, bermuda doesn't do well in the shade. I would remove the bermuda and frame off each side so you can have a pea stone patio across the back, using large pavers for ease of walking. Then it looks like you need privacy on just the one side so you could have a wood fence run along that end.

Oh! Are there TWO houses pictured here? I thought the brown siding and the light-colored siding was all one house.

I thought OPs house was the brown one, neighbour grey, and right beside him so wanting some privacy heteeen teo.

Yes the neighbors house is grey. We do have bears where I live so was considering a wood fence on both sides. So extending the patio in the backyard is an option, and maybe a pergola . My property extends down the hill into the woods (under the trees). Yes the Bermuda is almost dead so would have to plant a different grass.

Fences and some hedges will provide privacy.

If nothing will grow well in that lawn area, you might consider artificial turf. Pricey to install, but no water needed, no mowing and easy to maintain. Also design a few beds with a variety of plants to add some depth/interest to the yard.

How much space is there between your house (brown) and the neighbor’s house (gray)? If you put a fence there, is there still room to walk along the side of your house inside the fence? This picture angle makes the space look extremely small.

Yes the houses are close but there is enough room. Others have fences with an entry gate. I think expanding the patio would work, alongside the house lengthwise. I will look for patio designs. Thanks

Have you spoken with your neighbors about splitting the cost of a fence at the property line?

A black chain link fence blends into the woods in back to help keep critters out.

You could add a privacy screen for the patio.

I will check with my neighbor about splitting the cost of the fence.

A fence to add privacy and the others are just for fun.

These are awesome! Thanks so much

Do you have neighbors just on one side? From what I can tell in the photos there aren't a lot of neighbors. I can understand wanting to keep critters out of your yard though.

There are clearly houses on either side and close by. This is probably a standard subdivision that backs onto a green space but the homes are close together. You can see others have fenced more if you look in the photos.

Only neighbors on one side in my standard subdivision 🤣.

Sorry I didn’t mean for that to be offensive. I was just pointing out that obviously there is a neighbour and they are close to you as shown on the pictures. The home also looks very similar to yours hence the subdivision comment.

Thank you everyone for your helpful comments. Now time to find a contractor!