# Do you prefer the drapes open or closed at night? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199 "2012-06-05T21:29:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/21 "2012-06-05T23:51:15Z")
I have mini-blinds on my 2 bedroom windows. When I have the windows open, I close the blinds down as far as I can without covering the window screen. When the windows are closed, I close the blinds all the way. I prefer not to be seen, but it’s more important to get a nice cross-breeze without the blinds getting in the way. So my final answer is, my blinds are always (even during the day) as closed as they can be without impeding airflow, because I don’t have an air conditioner yet and I have more trouble sleeping in the heat than with the blinds partially up. Leaving the blinds open in the day lets in a lot of sunlight which causes the room to heat up in the evening, which sucks! ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/22 "2012-06-05T23:51:41Z")
I chose A, but “closed all the time” is more or less true. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/23 "2012-06-05T23:54:21Z")
I have blinds. I really like blinds, because they let me be fairly lazy. I keep them pulled up about 8-9 inches off the window ledge because if I don’t, the cats will go _through_ them rather then _under_ them, which will cause bending and breaking. It’s low enough that when the blinds are tilted my neighbors across the courtyard really can’t see in unless they’re making a concerted effort (top floor). In the winter, they’re tilted up so plenty of sun gets in but the neighbors can’t see, and they just stay that way. In the summer they’re tilted the other way so the sun isn’t streaming in and the neighbors still can’t see in. Works great, plenty of breeze when the windows are open, too. I don’t know how to vote with the way I have them set up, so I didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/24 "2012-06-05T23:55:21Z")
I leave them open unless I’m sleeping or having sex or doing something else inappropriate for public viewing. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/25 "2012-06-06T00:03:27Z")
Gotta keep them closed. I live on the first floor of an apartment building right next to the front door, facing a parking lot and another building. Not all that interested in putting on a show. Most people wouldn’t _try_ to look in, but I imagine if you’re walking from the parking lot and can see directly into my apartment, it’s hard not to look. ---
**Author:** ![ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/26 "2012-06-06T00:24:51Z")
© I never open my blinds. I have been working 75%+ night shifts for the past 15 years. I hate the sun. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/27 "2012-06-06T01:39:33Z")
I live in a Chicago high rise. I live my blinds open most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/28 "2012-06-06T01:53:43Z")
I have the blinds drawn almost all the time. I like being able to see outside; I get a little claustrophobic otherwise. Due to trees and “privacy” screens on my windows, people can’t see into my apartment and I love it that way. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/29 "2012-06-06T02:02:46Z")
Now that it’s winter here, I probably should close them to keep the heat in a bit better, but I usually leave them open. I don’t do anything in front of the windows that I’d be embarrassed about… except maybe on a rare occasion, but even then you’d have to be right outside in an awkward position to see anything. I also keep my bedroom curtains open, as I like to get the early dawn light through unencumbered, but again there are fences and trees that prevent casual neighbour nosiness. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/30 "2012-06-06T02:11:39Z")
my neighbours can see in, so i close them when it gets dark. now the cats have to deal with curtains, although i do leave the roman shades about 3" up from the bottom of the window so they don’t try to rip them down. when i lived on the side of the building where no one could see in, i left them half down the window closed. i was on the 9th floor, you’d have to be in some sort of air vehicle to see in. cats loved it! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/31 "2012-06-06T03:22:52Z")
We’re on the 6th floor. We close all the curtains except the ones to the balcony, because even at night this [Chinese-Thai temple](http://pidgees.multiply.com/photos/album/3/Chinese-Thai_Temple#photo=1) is a great view. It’s even all lit up on special occasions. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/32 "2012-06-06T03:52:27Z")
We almost always leave the blinds/curtains closed in our house. That is because of the heat here. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/33 "2012-06-06T04:12:56Z")
Closed at night because when it’s dark I can’t see out, but anyone outside can see in. I spent too many nights watching “Shock Theater” on the couch and then being too afraid to close the curtains because I knew there was an axe-murderer on the porch just waiting to press his face on the glass. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/34 "2012-06-06T04:36:15Z")
Closed. Even the illusion of privacy is better than nothing. And going the other way, I don’t care to be staging a show for anyone passing by. At night, with the inside of your house lit up, everyone can see you for a very long distance, but you can’t see anyone outside even if they’re right outside your window. Also, I want to sleep in a completely dark room, so we have thick curtains on the bedroom and the connecting dining room windows to keep light out whether the bedroom door is open or shut. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/35 "2012-06-06T05:15:58Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > …I have issues. I know I have issues. I have to actually leave the house if someone that is a stranger is going to be coming inside my house. I really only like to meet new people away from my home until I get to know them enough to trust them. My miniature dachshund is the same way. 😛 Especially the last part. > [@ryan](#): > > (c) I never open my blinds. I have been working 75%+ night shifts for the past 15 years. I hate the sun. Another 2nd shifter chiming in. I need absolute darkness (or as close to it as I can get) to sleep and I not not fancy rising at dawn. My ideal bedroom would have no windows at all; just a ventilation system that doesn’t let light in and an emegency escape hatch. I’ll settle for some nice WWII-style blackout curtains. If I ever had to deal with a skylight in my bedroom it would be painted over with black (or I’d nail plywood to the ceiling) in short order. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/36 "2012-06-06T06:13:43Z")
The thought of blinds being closed all day saddens me. I need sunlight! And moonlight! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/37 "2012-06-06T13:09:49Z")
I draw the blinds. We live on the edge of a big city and there’s plenty of lights outside all night, so it keeps the room dark and helps us sleep better. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/38 "2012-06-06T13:19:34Z")
We live on a cul-de-sac and it’s a little unusual if a car actually drives into view- happens about once a week. I can’t really see any other houses from my house (well, there’s one across the street but you have to stand in the living room and look off at an angle to see it), so we leave everything open down there. On the first floor, back of the house (family room, kitchen, powder room, mudroom) we don’t even have any window coverings. Well, the powder room has one of those frosted window appliques on the lower sash, but that’s it. Otherwise, the only eyes looking in would belong to fox, deer, turkey vulture, gopher and assorted other woodland creatures. Our bedroom faces S/SE and my wife doesn’t like being woken by the morning sun, so we close the roman shades in our bedroom at night (we both hate hate hate blinds). I’m usually awake either before or soon after sunrise anyway, so it wouldn’t matter to me. Although I’ve been kept awake at night by the light from a full moon, so it’s probably good that we close them. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/39 "2012-06-06T13:21:27Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > (c) I always leave all the blinds closed. +1 My wife’s a bit of a “let the sunshine in” gal, so we compromise: the curtains in the front of the house are closed all (most) of the time, and the window treatments (on windows which are higher up) on the side of the house are open all the time. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199/40 "2012-06-06T13:48:52Z")
Our bedroom curtains are closed almost all the time, and all other curtains are open almost all the time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-the-drapes-open-or-closed-at-night/624199.md?page=3)