Photo courtesy of Graber
Minnesota winters are notorious for their limited daylight. In fact, according to World Data, the average winter day in the state sees only about eight hours of sunlight. As we near the end of October, we’re already seeing this shift—with sunrise around 8 a.m. and sunset near 6 p.m. And come Nov. 3, the clocks will fall back once again, resulting in brighter mornings and even darker evenings. This change can disrupt our circadian rhythms, making the adjustment to the varying levels of light a challenge.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat the seasonal fatigue that often accompanies the season. Graber Design Studio, a Burnsville-based custom drapery and blinds showroom, offers a range of solutions—from blinds and shades to automated smart home technologies—that help optimize your home’s light exposure during this time of year. Here, the team shares a few of the best ways to adjust your windows during daylight savings time.
Smart Home Technology
We’ve all seen the classic movie scene where a homeowner controls their lights with a simple clap. While we might not be there yet with blinds and shades, a motorized system controlled from your phone comes pretty close. With this type of smart technology, you can schedule blinds and shades to raise or lower at specific times of day, making the transition to the new light schedule seamless. You can also integrate the system with an in-home voice assistant, such as Alexa, to operate the blinds through voice commands (arguably even cooler than the clapping method). Graber offers its own motorization app to help you implement and control these technologies. Plus, its visualizer tool allows you to preview window treatments in your own space before making a purchase.
Cellular Shades
“With the right window treatment, it’s easy to adjust natural light to suit new morning and nighttime routines,” the Graber team says. With a variety of shades and fabrics—from sheer and semi-sheer to light-filtering and blackout—the Graber cellular shades can be easily incorporated into any space. Room-darkening side channels are also available to block the light from seeping in around the edges of the shades.
Roller Shades
For a sleek, modern look, roller shades are another great option. Available in a range of fabrics and opacities, these shades allow you to customize the amount of light in your room. Different control types give you precision in positioning the shade exactly where you want it.
Solar Shades
For rooms with extra-large windows, solar shades are the ideal choice. They help reduce heat, lower cooling costs, and provide UV protection. When paired with a roller shade as part of a dual system, solar shades allow you to enjoy outside views while controlling the sun’s glare—perfect for balancing light control in any room.
Wood Blinds
Wood blinds, according to the Graber team, “offer the beauty, visual warmth, and natural elements of wood but with the motorization of blinds.” Available in a variety of stains, finishes, and styles, these blinds offer a customizable solution that can blend effortlessly with any home’s design. Crafted from sustainably sourced basswood from the Great Lakes region, the blinds are lightweight, durable, and feature a distinct wood grain. All wood blinds come with a cord, wand, and motorized control options, letting you manage the flow of light with ease.
