As summer begins to move into autumn, something interesting happens to the sunlight in our homes.

The days shorten, but the sun also sits lower in the sky.

And suddenly a room that seemed perfectly comfortable in June can have bright sunlight shining straight across the television, kitchen worktop or home-office screen in September.

That's because the direction a window faces matters almost as much as the type of blind fitted to it.

If you're choosing made-to-measure blinds in Gloucestershire, it's worth thinking about where the sun actually comes from before deciding on colour or fabric.

East-facing windows – watch the morning sun

East-facing rooms receive their strongest direct sunshine earlier in the day.

That's lovely in a breakfast room.

It can be less welcome in a bedroom.

During spring and summer, early morning light can disturb sleep, while the lower autumn sun may create considerable glare.

For bedrooms, a good blackout treatment may therefore be more useful than simply choosing a dark-coloured blind.

And remember: blackout fabric and a completely dark room aren't necessarily the same thing. Light can still enter around the edges depending on how the blind is fitted.

For other east-facing rooms, an adjustable blind may allow you to soften the morning light without shutting it out completely.

South-facing windows – think about solar gain

South-facing rooms tend to receive sunshine for the longest part of the day.

That can be a wonderful advantage during cooler months.

In summer, however, extensive glazing can contribute to overheating and glare.

The right treatment depends on what you want to achieve.

Internally, options such as cellular, Venetian or Roller Blinds can help control light and improve comfort.

Where overheating is a significant issue, particularly with large windows, bifold doors or glazed extensions, external shading may also be worth considering because it intercepts solar radiation before it passes through the glass.

West-facing windows – the troublesome afternoon sun

West-facing glazing is often where customers really notice the changing seasons.

The sun becomes lower during the afternoon and evening and can shine deep into the room.

That's exactly the time when many people are:

cooking watching television working at a computer sitting down to eat trying to relax

A blind that provides adjustable directional control can be particularly useful.

Venetian Blinds allow slats to be tilted as the sun moves.

Vertical Blinds can provide similar control over wide windows and patio doors.

Alternatively, a Roller Blind can provide straightforward screening where the main aim is reducing glare.

North-facing windows – don't unnecessarily lose the light

North-facing rooms generally receive softer, less direct daylight.

Here, overheating may be much less of an issue.

Instead, the priority may be:

retaining natural light increasing privacy improving warmth introducing colour and texture

A heavy or unnecessarily dark treatment can make an already softer-lit room feel gloomy.

Light-filtering fabrics, adjustable blinds or thermally efficient products can therefore make more sense.

Don't choose the same blind for every window

This is something we regularly encourage homeowners to think about.

Just because several windows are in the same house doesn't mean they all need to perform in exactly the same way.

A south-facing kitchen extension may need solar protection.

An east-facing bedroom needs better light exclusion.

A west-facing living room may need adjustable glare control.

And a north-facing sitting room may simply need privacy and additional comfort.

The products can coordinate visually without necessarily being identical.

September is a very good time to assess your windows

During the height of summer, we're naturally focused on heat.

By September, low sun and glare often become much more noticeable.

Walk around your home at different times of day.

Where does the direct sunlight land?

Is it hitting the television?

Does one bedroom become bright very early?

Do you close curtains every afternoon because the kitchen becomes uncomfortable?

Are you losing useful daylight because privacy means keeping a blind completely shut?

Those observations tell us far more than simply measuring the window.

Made-to-measure blinds throughout Gloucestershire

At Lakeside Blinds, we supply and install made-to-measure blinds, shutters and external shading across Cheltenham, Gloucester and the wider Gloucestershire and Cotswolds area.

Our home consultation means we can look at the actual window, its orientation and how you use the room before recommending a solution.

Because the best blind isn't simply the one that fits the window.

It's the one that works when the sun reaches it.