Is your home nestled uncomfortably close to someone else’s home?

Many of us live on a fraction of an acre with a view of the neighbors’ TV. Apartment dwellers, too, often see more of others' lives than they care to. And if you can see them, they can see you.

Here are six clever window treatment solutions that give you either partial or total privacy.

Partial Privacy #1: Sheer Curtains

A pretty way to soften the light and also the mood of a room, sheer curtains are great for daytime (and in rooms where privacy isn’t an issue), but they won't shield you from the neighbors in a lighted room at night. Where you need that kind of privacy, try mounting a double track to combine an inner layer of sheers with opaque outer curtains.

Partial Privacy #2: Translucent Shades and Blinds

Light is life, not only for our potted herbs, but also for ourselves. Translucent shades or blinds in synthetic fabrics that are pleated vertically (or horizontally, nice for long windows) come with varying textures and degrees of light penetration. Those louvered with vanes can be closed to block all light or pulled up for full daylight.

Say you want a shade that hazes the bottom of a window, where the view is undesirable, but not the blessed treetops and sky. Try a “bottom up” shade that rises from the sill. Or a single partial shade that cruises up or down the window frame to the exact height you want at different hours of the day, leaving the rest of the window clear.

Cellular shades do more than diffuse light: They also help insulate against cold and heat, and can moderate noise. They’re available with bottom-up, top-down ability as well as movement by remote control so your sunny house with expanses of glazing is at your command.

Partial Privacy #3: Glass

Bathroom windows especially need privacy protection. You could install a window of frosted or sand-blasted glass, or even stained glass. Window film, a translucent material you can cut and apply yourself to window glass, is an inexpensive solution. Choices of textures and patterns abound, and it’s probably a good idea to choose a product that can be easily removed.

There's also “privacy glass,” which clears or clouds at the flick of a switch. This advanced but expensive glass also provides sound- and heat-insulating benefits.

Here are some window treatment options that will give your home total privacy.

Total Privacy #1: Opaque Curtains

Curtains lined for opacity are ideal if you need shielding only at night or, in dazzling climes, from altogether too much heat and sunlight. These are also the window treatments you'll most often find in hotel rooms.

Total Privacy #2: Opaque Shades and Blinds

Opaque shades, sometimes called “blackout” shades, are always a good choice. Well-lined Roman or “balloon” shades in decorative fabrics work, too, especially if you want to add drama to windows. For a less formal look, roll-down blinds made of split bamboo or similarly woody “matchstick” materials are available for homes from rustic to contemporary. For a more traditional light-blocker, try blinds with Venetian-style wooden slats.

Total Privacy #3: Shutters

Called plantation shutters (to distinguish them from shutters affixed to the outside of the house), these add architectural interest to any room. Usually made of wood or a composite, they have adjustable louvers and can swing open for full daylight.

If you need some handyman help with measuring or hanging window treatments, call on a trusted local home contractor through Handyman Connection. Also, your local Floor Coverings International may also supply shades and blinds. Call on one of their expert designers to help you determine what style works for you.

[Main image: istockphoto]