From Sunrise to Sunset: How the Palm Beach Sun Shapes Our Window Treatment Choices

If you live in Palm Beach, you already know the sun is more than just a backdrop for a perfect beach day — it's a defining element of our daily lives. As the owner of Bumble Bee Blinds of Palm Beach, I've come to appreciate just how much the Florida sun influences not only our routines, but also the way we design and protect our homes. And one of the most powerful tools at our disposal? Thoughtfully chosen window treatments.

From the moment the sun peeks over the Atlantic to the final golden glow at sunset, our homes experience a full spectrum of light — and heat. If you’ve ever squinted through your morning coffee, battled a sweltering living room in the afternoon, or wished for a little privacy as evening settles in, you’re not alone. The right window treatments can completely transform the way you experience your space throughout the day.

Let me take you through a typical Palm Beach day and show you how smart window treatment choices can work with the sun, not against it.

6:30 AM — Soft Morning Light in the Kitchen

There’s nothing quite like a Palm Beach sunrise. Many homes here are oriented to capture those early rays, especially in spaces like kitchens, breakfast nooks, and ocean-facing bedrooms. But that soft golden light can quickly turn intense — and by 7:30, you might be dealing with glare off your countertops or excessive brightness that’s not ideal for sleepy eyes.

Best Morning Solutions:

Sheer Shades: These allow diffused light in while reducing glare. I recommend dual-function sheer shades that offer a clean, bright look in the morning, while still providing privacy.
Top-Down, Bottom-Up Shades: These give you full control over light direction — ideal for letting sunlight in without giving the neighbors a view of your breakfast routine.

Pro Tip: Choose light-colored fabrics to maintain that airy morning glow while softening the intensity.

12:00 PM — Midday Heat in the Living Room

By midday, that beautiful Florida sun becomes something else entirely: hot. If you have large picture windows or a west-facing living room, you’re probably all too familiar with the battle to keep your space cool and comfortable. Not to mention the toll constant UV exposure can take on flooring, artwork, and furniture.

Best Midday Solutions:

Solar Shades: These are my go-to for high-sun areas. They block heat and UV rays without completely blocking your view — perfect for homes with gorgeous outdoor spaces or ocean views.
Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades: These are incredibly effective for insulation, helping reduce cooling costs by keeping heat out. They’re ideal for rooms that get hours of direct sunlight.
Motorized Treatments: Set your shades to automatically lower at the hottest part of the day — even if you’re not home — to protect your interiors and keep your space comfortable.

Technical Insight: A well-placed solar shade can reduce solar heat gain by up to 80%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

3:30 PM — Afternoon Glare in the Home Office

Working from home has become the norm for many of us, and in Palm Beach, that often means carving out a workspace with plenty of natural light. But that 3:00 p.m. sun coming through your home office window? It can make reading a screen almost impossible.

Best Afternoon Solutions:

Dual Roller Shades: These pair a light-filtering shade with a blackout shade in one system. Adjust depending on how intense the light is throughout the day.
Room Darkening Roman Shades: These offer both function and elegance, especially if your office doubles as a guest room.

Bonus: Many of our clients add motorization here, too — so their shades adjust automatically when the afternoon sun hits.

6:00 PM — Golden Hour in the Dining Room

As the sun starts to set, Palm Beach glows. This is when your dining space comes alive — but it can also come with intense horizontal light that shines straight into your home.

Best Evening Solutions:

Layered Drapery: Combining a light-filtering curtain with a blackout panel offers flexibility and sophistication.
Wood Blinds or Plantation Shutters: Adjust slats to manage direct sun while still keeping the view.

Style Tip: Sunset lighting is perfect for showing off textures — think linen drapery, bamboo shades, or woven wood blinds.

9:00 PM — Privacy & Comfort in the Bedroom

At the end of the day, privacy becomes the top priority. Whether your bedroom faces the street, the ocean, or a neighboring home, you want a space that feels restful and secure.

Best Nighttime Solutions:

Blackout Shades or Drapes: Total darkness = better sleep. Plus, they help insulate against outdoor temperatures.
Motorized Shades with Scenes: Program your shades to close automatically at bedtime — one less thing to think about.

Expert Advice: Combine blackout roller shades with decorative side panels for a hotel-inspired look that’s both functional and stylish.

The Big Picture: How Smart Shades Adapt to the Florida Sun

We’ve installed hundreds of smart shades across Palm Beach, and one of the biggest game-changers for our clients is automation. Whether it’s syncing to sunrise/sunset or customizing schedules by room, motorized window treatments eliminate the hassle of chasing the sun around your house.

Smart shades can also be integrated into your existing home automation system — whether that’s Google Home, Alexa, or Control4 — so your window treatments become part of your energy-efficiency strategy and your daily comfort.

Did You Know? According to CNET, smart shades are becoming one of the most in-demand upgrades in luxury homes — especially in sun-drenched areas like South Florida.

FAQs

Q: Can window treatments really help lower my energy bills in Florida?

A: Absolutely. Treatments like cellular shades and solar shades can significantly reduce heat gain, helping your AC work less — especially during peak sun hours.

Q: What’s the difference between light-filtering and blackout shades?

A: Light-filtering shades soften sunlight and reduce glare, while blackout shades block nearly all incoming light — ideal for bedrooms or media rooms.

Q: Are motorized shades worth the investment?

A: For many Palm Beach homeowners, yes. They add convenience, improve energy efficiency, and increase the resale value of your home.

Q: Can I still see my ocean or garden view with solar shades?

A: Yes! Solar shades reduce glare without blocking your view. The openness factor (usually 1-10%) determines how much you can see through them.

About the Author

Hi! I’m Taylor Ortego, owner of Bumble Bee Blinds of Palm Beach, and alongside my wife Lindsay, we’re proud to help homeowners throughout the area find the perfect window treatments for their lifestyle and design goals. With my background in mechanical engineering and Lindsay’s in healthcare and sales, we bring both precision and care to every project.

Whether you live in a beachfront condo, a Mediterranean estate, or a modern Palm Beach Gardens home, we’re here to help you make the most of your space — with window treatments that work as beautifully as they look.

Let us know how we can help bring your vision to life!