Rapid population growth and escalating housing demand in Tehran have significantly increased building density, resulting in apartment complexes with high levels of overlooking. This severely compromises the visual privacy of residential balconies, causing many residents to abandon these spaces or obstruct them with heavy curtains and solid materials. This mixed-methods study aims to identify the crucial architectural components and effective strategies needed to enhance visual privacy in residential balconies, specifically from the perspective of female residents. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from 426 women in Tehran and analyzed using SPSS and MAXQDA. The findings reveal a significant behavioral shift: while women prefer relaxed clothing in the secure presence of family, they adopt highly modest attire when exposed to the public gaze. To mitigate this discomfort, participants strongly prioritized physical visual barriers. The most requested features were tall, solid parapet walls for lower-body concealment and the integration of natural green covers. Furthermore, appropriate balcony depth and private orientation were highly valued. The study concludes that visual privacy is indispensable for the successful utilization of balconies. Architects should employ a synergistic approach, combining solid lower-body barriers with flexible, natural upper-body screens to create functional, private semi-open spaces.