Why My Curtains Know the Sunset Better Than I Do 🌅

There’s something oddly satisfying about a perfectly timed curtain close. You know that moment when the sun hits your TV screen just right, turning your peaceful movie night into a reflection of your own confused face? Yeah, I’ve been there too.

So, I decided it was time to give my curtains some brains — and a sense of timing that even my smartphone alarms can’t match.

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☀️ Why Bother Closing Curtains Automatically?

You might wonder, “Why automate something so simple? Can’t you just, you know… walk to the window?”

Technically, yes. Physically, sure. But spiritually? I refuse.

Automating curtain control isn’t just about laziness (well, not only). It’s about efficiency, energy savings, and comfort. Here’s why closing your curtains at the right time is actually smart:

1. Energy Efficiency: When the sun sets, the outside temperature drops. If you leave curtains open, your cozy indoor heat escapes faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. Closing curtains helps insulate your home, saving on heating costs in winter.

2. Privacy: Nobody wants to star in an accidental evening show called “Neighbors Can See Everything.” Automatic curtains protect your privacy without requiring you to remember it yourself.

3. Vibes: Let’s be honest — when your curtains close by themselves just as twilight hits, it feels like living in a sci-fi movie… minus the dystopia (hopefully).

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🪄 The Magic Behind It: Sun + SwitchBot + Home Assistant

This automation is one of those “so simple, yet so satisfying” setups that make you want to brag about it at dinner parties (if your friends tolerate that sort of conversation).

I use the Sun integration in Home Assistant — it keeps track of the actual sun position based on your location. No guesswork, no fixed schedules. Because let’s face it, the sun doesn’t care what time you think it sets.

Here’s the logic:

“When the sun has set for over 10 minutes… close the curtains.”

That’s it. Ten minutes is just enough to enjoy the soft glow of twilight without having to squint at your living room reflection.

For the curtains themselves, I’m using SwitchBot Curtains — tiny robot sliders that attach to your existing curtain rails and move them like invisible butlers.

To control them, I rely on the SwitchBot Bluetooth Integration for Home Assistant. Not the cloud one — I prefer local control. Because:

• Local = faster.
• Local = private.
• Local = still works when the internet has its afternoon nap.

I also didn’t use Matter integration for this, because it currently requires a hub. I’m keeping it pure Bluetooth — direct and simple.

And since I have multiple curtains, I grouped them in Home Assistant using a Helper (you can also use a Label). That way, it gracefully moves all of them in unison like synchronized swimmers of the smart home world.

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⚙️ A Peek at the Automation

If you’re curious how it looks under the hood, here’s a simplified version of the automation YAML:

alias: Close curtains when needed
description: ""
triggers:
  - trigger: state
    entity_id:
      - sun.sun
    to: below_horizon
    for:
      hours: 0
      minutes: 10
      seconds: 0
conditions: []
actions:
  - action: cover.close_cover
    metadata: {}
    data: {}
    target:
      entity_id: cover.curtains
mode: single

That’s literally it. Elegant. Minimal. Reliable.

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🌇 Living with a Smarter Sunset

Now, every evening, just as the world outside starts to fade into deep blue, my curtains quietly glide shut. No reminders, no switches, no “Alexa, close the curtains” — just… harmony.

Sometimes, I’ll be sitting at my desk, still working, when it happens. The curtains move, the light softens, and I feel like I’m in a movie scene where the house itself understands me.

The best part? I never have to argue with anyone about “who forgot to close the curtains again.”

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🏡 Final Thoughts

Automating curtain closure isn’t about showing off (well, maybe a little). It’s about living better — saving energy, protecting your privacy, and syncing your home with nature’s rhythm.

If you’re already running Home Assistant, the Sun integration and SwitchBot Bluetooth combo is one of the easiest, most satisfying automations to start with.

And who knows — once you see how smooth it feels, you might just start automating your morning routine, too.

But that’s a story for another sunset. 🌅