Over the course of a day we make several choices. One such decision that may not be life-changing but that is quite commonly deliberated over is: which way to turn the blinds – up or down? Those who have lived with blinds are familiar with this age-old predicament. Let’s set it straight once and for all!

Thankfully, there’s no right or wrong way to turn your window blinds. But one way may be more suitable than the other, depending on your needs. The choice really boils down to your lighting and privacy requirements at different times of the day and, of course, personal preference.

To help you make a better decision based on your needs at any given time, Budget Blinds has compiled a guide that answers the baffling question: should you turn your window blinds up or down?

The Big Window Covering Dilemma: Turn Blinds Up or Down?

At Budget Blinds, we understand that your privacy, lighting, and airflow requirements can keep changing throughout the day. For instance, binge-watching your favorite TV series on a Saturday afternoon may call for enhanced darkening in the bedroom or home theater. On the other hand, if you want to catch an afternoon nap and prefer a small amount of light filtering in, turning your blinds down and closing them would help create the perfect ambience that is not too bright or too dark.

The best part about blinds is that depending on your needs, you can turn the direction of your blinds anytime with minimum hassle. All of Budget Blinds’ blinds styles like Wood, Aluminum, and Faux Wood blinds, to name just a few, can be easily turned up or down with a smooth and easy movement.

With vertical blinds, it's simpler. But when it comes to horizontal blinds, the people have questions! Does the up or down direction provide better light control? Which of the two positions allows diffused lighting? Or which provides more privacy? Which direction would suit your needs better? It may seem simple, but the options provide different outcomes for a different array of needs. We answer these and several other window treatment questions here.

Up (Rounded Side Facing Out)

When the blinds are turned up, the rounded side faces outward. Blinds turned in this direction offer more privacy and light control since the convex side faces the window, blocking light or views from the outside. However, having the rounded side facing out may not be as aesthetically pleasing as when the rounded side of the slats faces in. In addition, since blinds typically aren’t turned up, we’re not used to seeing this side of the slats, so it may feel or even look slightly unusual.

Down (Rounded Side Facing In)

When the blinds are turned down, the rounded side faces the room, providing a softer look to the room, elevating the space aesthetically. This is the more commonly used position as it offers a great visual effect. In terms of practicality, it also allows more sunlight to stream in, as blinds turned in the down position have larger gaps. For this same reason, they’re unable to provide as much privacy and room darkening as blinds turned up. Blinds turned down also tend to direct more heat and light towards the center of the room rather than the ceiling.

Here are some common scenarios and requirements along with which is the best way to position your blinds to meet your needs in the given situation.

Enhanced Room Darkening and Privacy

When the blinds are turned up, that is, the rounded side faces out, there’s better light control as there are minimal gaps between the slats. Want to enjoy restful sleep in the middle of the day? Turn your blinds up. This direction is better for improved privacy too, as minimized gaps between the slats don’t allow curious passersby to view the inside of the house.

Diffused Natural Light

To let in a small amount of natural light, it’s best to turn your blinds down and close them. This allows some light to filter in creating a slightly diffused lighting condition. Blinds turned down also direct more light into the center of the room rather than the ceiling, creating a softly lit environment. Blinds in this position offer some amount of privacy but not complete privacy like that offered by blinds in the up position.

UV Protection

During the day, to protect yourself, your furnishings, and flooring from harmful UV rays, it’s best to turn up your blind slats. UV rays can be damaging to furnishings, causing fading and warping, especially if exposed for a prolonged period of time. In addition, glare can cause extreme discomfort to your eyes, so it’s best to close your blinds in the up position to achieve maximum protection from glare and UV damage.

Cooler Temperatures in Hotter Months

When blinds are closed with the slats turned up and the rounded side facing out, the heat is directed towards the ceiling, which helps keep the room cooler. This is the ideal position for blinds in the hotter months. It helps keep the room, especially the space near the floor, naturally cooler, conserving energy by reducing dependence on artificial cooling appliances. This helps reduce energy costs during the summer months.

Warmer Environment During Winter

In the cooler months, if you want to maintain a warmer temperature without letting in bright sunlight, it’s best to close the blinds with the slats turned down. This would keep the rounded side of the blinds facing the room, helping direct the heat towards the center of the room to maintain a warmer temperature. Blinds in this position would help conserve energy and reduce energy costs during winter.

Up or Down, Blinds Are the Best

Hopefully our guide has helped you determine which situations call for your blinds to be turned up and which require them to be closed in the down position. Turning your horizontal blinds in the appropriate position is the simplest way to not only achieve enhanced energy efficiencies and lower your utility bills, but to also help you maintain the ideal room temperature.

If you would like to fit your windows with the right window treatments or have your existing window coverings replaced, your local Budget Blinds team of experts can recommend the perfect solution. We bring the showroom to you so you can choose the right fit for your windows from the comfort of your home! Whether you're interested in wooden blinds or their faux wood counterparts, Budget Blinds has the custom blinds for you. 

Schedule a complimentary in-home design consultation with your local design consultant. They would love to visit your home, evaluate your requirements, and recommend the right custom window covering solutions for your windows. With specific needs like extra natural light, shielding from UV rays, or the ease of motorized blinds, our design consultant team knows just how to help. We can even tackle the dilemma of those tricky corner windows in your home. In addition, they take precise measurements to ensure that your chosen window coverings exactly fit your windows. Think you might be more of a shade person, as opposed to blinds? No problem! We have a plethora of window treatment options available, from cellular to solar shades and more. Properly fitted, all of our custom window treatments offer a cleaner and more aesthetic appearance, and also provide better insulation, UV protection, light control, and privacy.