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Original poster

Closing curtains when going out for the day

64 replies

ZappyDays · 23/12/2025 13:47

Please can you help settle a debate with my DH.

It is 1:30pm and we are going out for the day, we won’t be back until after dark.

One of us decided it would be a good idea to close all the curtains in the house before we go out, even though it’s daytime, because it will be dark when we get back and save a job later. The other thinks it’s a bit odd to shut the curtains while it’s still daytime and we can just do it when we get back.

YANBU it’s a sensible thing to close them before you go out
YABU it’s strange, just close them when you get back later

OP posts:
vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 16:55

I would close them, but only to help keep the heat in.

TinselTitts · 23/12/2025 16:51

I think you both need to pull yourselves together.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 23/12/2025 16:50

i’ve never heard of closing the curtains because you’ll be coming home in the dark! Sounds bonkers to me. Just leave them. Do it when you get back.

Elsvieta · 23/12/2025 16:35

Curtains closed in any room I'm not currently in for me, whether I'm in or not. Why let the sun fade fabrics when you're not even there?

willitevergetwarm · 23/12/2025 16:04

My DM has a thing about half closing curtains when leaving the house and won't change this. She's been doing it as long as I remember
I personally leave them open and I have a hall lamp that is on a timer so the house isn't left in total darkness

Cageauxfolles · 23/12/2025 15:26

WrylyAmused · 23/12/2025 13:49

How about c) it's fine either way, just pick one, it makes no significant difference to anything very much.

Thank goodness!

Wingingit73 · 23/12/2025 15:24

Close one leave one open

Leavesandthings · 23/12/2025 15:06

I leave curtains open but a timer light comes on in the back of the house so that it looks from outside that someone is home, but not in the front room.

Hello39 · 23/12/2025 15:00

1.30pm I probably wouldn't. But wouldn't have an issue if they were closed.

4pm at this time of the year - I definitely would, to keep the heat in.

Bodhifatva · 23/12/2025 14:55

My curtains see often closed in the day even when I’m home because I get migraines and when I do t have migraines I watch a lot of films, so I wouldn’t think it matters either way to be honest.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 23/12/2025 14:55

Other than thinking it's weird, it doesn't save you a job, it's just doing it early (bit neurotic) - it advertises the house is empty.

So he is BU

Purplewarrior · 23/12/2025 14:52

I would always close the curtains in that situation, but leave a light on.

InterestedDad37 · 23/12/2025 14:35

Close one curtain on each set of windows as a compromise 🤔

Imbrocator · 23/12/2025 14:29

Do you have house plants? Leave them open if so. I think I’d probably leave them open either way, or close some in rooms I know were won’t be using when we get back.

plumpunnet · 23/12/2025 14:29

Christ , we go to work in the dark and get back in the dark , like many others I would imagine, going by this we would never open the curtains

SillyNavyTiger · 23/12/2025 14:28

It's weird.

That's a lot of thought and preparation for just "going out" for the day, you are not preparing a 6 months expedition in the Amazon. Don't you just grab whatever you need for whatever you are doing, and.. go?

So for that only, I'd think closing the curtains when it's still daylight is odd.

QuietLifeNoDrama · 23/12/2025 14:26

If you’re not doing it for security purposes it really makes no difference. I couldn’t be arsed to go around closing them to save time later. I do however close the blinds and leave lamps on so my house looks occupied at night

Original poster
ZappyDays · 23/12/2025 14:24

KnickerlessParsons · 23/12/2025 14:19

Surely this can’t be the first time you’ve both gone out together in the daytime and not come back until after dark.

I would leave them open.

This is an excellent point, this is not the first time we’ve gone out together in the daytime and not come back until after dark but this is the first time one of us has decided it would be a good idea to close the curtains and realised the other one has an objection to doing this.

OP posts:
Glittertwins · 23/12/2025 14:21

Well it’s pretty grey and murky where we are so I’d have no issue in closing curtains now and keeping that out / heat in!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 23/12/2025 14:21

I always close the curtains in this situation and leave a lamp on and the hall light

KnickerlessParsons · 23/12/2025 14:19

Surely this can’t be the first time you’ve both gone out together in the daytime and not come back until after dark.

I would leave them open.

Westfacing · 23/12/2025 14:11

On MN some people never open their curtains - that solves the problem!

5128gap · 23/12/2025 14:11

Curtain closer is correct. Once there's no more daylight let curtains do their job of helping keep the heat in. Plus it is nice to come back to a house that's ready for the evening.

KarriTreeSullivan · 23/12/2025 14:10

Is the purpose of closing the blinds something to do with burglar deterrent or just saving a job for later?

If it's saving a job, you haven't saved any time or effort doing it earlier, your just doing it at a different time.

If I was to walk passed a house in the middle of the da with all the curtains drawn I'd wonder what you were up to in there 😄! (or the house is empty).

Fontet · 23/12/2025 14:09

Always close blinds before I leave if back home when dark....leave a lamp on also x

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