Deciding to Close Window Blinds Up or Down

The predicament of which direction to close one's window blinds - up towards the sky or down towards the floor - has sparked many debates among homeowners. With valid arguments on both sides, what is the best answer to this apparently simple yet hotly contested question?

Privacy and Light Control Considerations

For many homeowners, privacy is a top priority when closing blinds. If you live in an urban area or have close neighbors, blocking views into your home is likely important.

Closing Blinds Upwards

Closing blinds in an upwards direction can allow you to maintain some privacy while still letting in some natural light. With slats tilted upwards, passersby can't see directly into the room but daylight is filtered in through the angled slats.

Having blinds closed upwards also gives you more control over the exact amount of light let in. By adjusting the slat angles, you can customize both privacy and lighting levels.

Closing Downwards

For maximum visual privacy from the outside, closing window blinds downwards is the best approach. With slats fully closed and tilted down, no eyes from the street or neighboring buildings can peer into your private domain.

Fully closed downward pointing binds also completely block out sunlight. So if you want to darken a room fully, this is the way to go. It creates darkness optimal for sleep, movie watching or avoiding glare on TVs or computer screens.

Energy Efficiency and Temperature

The direction blinds are closed in can also impact energy efficiency and indoor temperatures.

Closing Upwards

By angling slats upwards, daylight is able to penetrate into rooms and provide passive solar heating. During cold winter months, this free boost of warmth from sunlight shining through partially closed blinds can reduce reliance on heaters.

Letting daylight in can also reduce the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours. So closing blinds upwards has the benefit of saving on both heating and electricity costs over time.

Closing Downwards

While closing blinds upwards has some energy conservation benefits, closing them downwards is generally more efficient. With window coverings fully closed and tilted downwards, heat or cooled air is better contained within the home.

Especially during extreme outside temperatures, tightly closed blinds increase a room's insulation. This keeps interiors warmer in winter and cooler in summer for less energy expenditure overall.

Aesthetics and Room Appearance

Beyond privacy and efficiency factors, the appearance impact of blind positioning should be considered.

Blinds Closed Upwards

Angled upwards, partially open blinds allow some daylight to brighten up living spaces. Rooms appear less dim and gloomy on cloudy days when ambient light can filter through the slats.

The texture and color of indoor window blinds also gets to take visual prominence when they are positioned skywards. Wood, faux wood and other blind materials stand out more as interior design elements.

Blinds Closed Downwards

With window shades or blinds fully closed down, the window area appears more streamlined and uniform. Lighting contrast levels are also reduced, creating a more even distribution of light.

Additionally, shadows that might be created by the blind slats and hardware against the walls and floors are eliminated when kept shut downward.

Dust Control and Window Treatment Care

Over time, dust accumulates on blinds which can detract from their appearance. The direction they are left pointing in impacts dust build up.

Closing Upwards

Angling blinds upwards allows dust to freely settle on the exterior horizontal surfaces. When left tilted skyward, the tops of each slat collect dust, dirt and even spider webs in hard to reach crevices.

Keeping blinds closed upwards also puts window treatments in direct exposure to sunlight streaming through windows. This accelerates fading and deterioration over time.

Closing Downwards

By orienting window blinds down towards the floor when shut, less dust gathers on the visible surfaces. Letting the slats hang vertically allows gravity to prevent excess buildup of particulate.

Added sunlight damage to window furnishings is also prevented when UV light exposure is minimized from fully closed downward pointing shades.

Special Considerations by Blind Types

While up vs down decisions depend largely on the priorities above, some special factors come into play depending on your existing shades.

Vinyl and Faux Wood Blinds

Vinyl and faux wood window blinds can be prone to warping or bending when constantly heated by sunlight shining on closed slats. Leaving these blind types closed downward as much as possible helps them maintain their form.

Fabric Shades

Delicate fabric window shades will tend to show wear and fading faster when left closed upwards. The folds in hanging fabric blind slats collect dust readily. For longevity of fabric blinds, keeping them shut down is best.

Blackout Shades

For window shades designed specifically for light blocking, such as blackout or room darkening blinds, closure direction is non-negotiable. To serve their purpose, the slats must be fully tilted downwards to prevent any light seeping in.

Regional Differences in Blind Closing Habits

Homeowners' preferences for blind positioning depend partly on climate norms in their geographical area.

Cold Winter Climates

In regions with extremely cold winters, closing window blinds downwards is heavily favored for insulation reasons. Minimizing heat loss by closing out frigid external air takes priority.

Hot Summer Climates

In temperate southern regions with ample sunlight year-round, angling blinds upward is more commonly preferred. Keeping interiors bright is prioritized over some loss of cooling efficiency.

Room Functions and Lighting Needs

The intended purpose of specific rooms also steers ideal blind closure directions.

Bedrooms and Home Offices

Blinds kept closed and pointing down are typical in bedrooms and home workspaces where darkness is desirable for sleeping or working without visual distractions.

Living Rooms and Common Areas

In more public family spaces, outward views and light are usually favored. Partially opening blinds upwards balances visibility, brightness and some privacy as needed.

Compromise Solutions

For many homeowners without one fixed priority guiding all blind closing decisions, flexible balanced solutions allow customization.

Closing Blinds Halfway

Leaving window blinds positioned halfway - not fully tilted up or down - allows some filtered daylight in while maintaining partial privacy. Light and views can be adjusted incrementally.

Alternating Up/Down Slats

Manually angling each individual slat to point opposite directions creates a checkerboard effect. This custom pattern prevents distinct views in while allowing changing mood lighting.

Automating Your Blinds

If manually adjusting blinds throughout your home to alternate positions becomes burdensome, consider upgrading to automated options.

Motorized Blinds

Electrically powered smart blinds activated by remote controls or voice commands rotate slat direction on demand without physical effort.

App Controlled Shades

Advanced automated blinds integrated with home automation apps and smart speakers enable customized schedules. Set the perfect slat angles by room and time of day.