Holiday travel season is coming. You will lock the doors, set a few lamp timers, and maybe ask a neighbour to grab the mail. But there is one giveaway most people forget: shades that stay in the exact same spot for two weeks. Smart shades away mode solves that.
Closed shades all day look like nobody is home. Open shades all night show an empty, dark room. Either way, the house looks vacant.
Here is how motorized window treatments can make your home look lived-in while you are away, and how to set it up before you leave.
What Is Smart Shades Away Mode?
Away mode is a schedule that opens and closes your motorized shades on their own while you are gone. Many systems add a small random shift, so the shades move at slightly different times each day, just like a real person would.
The result: from the street, your home looks occupied. Shades rise in the morning, lower in the evening, and change a bit from day to day.
How to Set Up Away Mode
Step 1: Copy Your Real Routine
Think about when you normally open and close each room. Bedrooms might open at 7:30 a.m. Living room shades might lower at 5 p.m. as it gets dark. Use those times as your base.
Step 2: Add Variation
Shift times by 10 to 30 minutes from day to day. If your app supports random offsets, turn them on. If not, create two or three schedules and alternate them.
Step 3: Use Sunset Triggers
Many smart shade systems can follow sunrise and sunset. In November and December, sunset in Toronto comes before 5 p.m., so evening shades will close right on time without guesswork.
Step 4: Pair With Lights
If you have smart lights, link them to your shades. Lights on, shades down, just like a normal evening at home.
Step 5: Check From Your Phone
Most systems let you see and control shades from anywhere. If a storm rolls in or the schedule needs a tweak, you can adjust it from the airport.
Best Window Treatments for Away Mode
- Motorized roller shades: Simple, reliable, and easy to schedule room by room.
- Motorized zebra shades: Can shift to a partial "view" position by day, which looks natural.
- Motorized silhouette shades: Elegant for front rooms that face the street.
- Motorized drapes: Sheers by day and blackout drapes by night create a very lived-in look.
Bonus: Winter Energy Savings
Away mode can also save on heating. Shades on sunny windows open to collect warmth by day, then close at dusk to hold it in.
Getting Set Up Before You Travel
If you want motorized shades in place before the holidays, now is the time to plan. Our team handles the full setup, from measuring to programming your first schedules. We install high-end motors that work with Alexa, Google Home, and many smart home hubs, all at competitive pricing. After install, we walk you through the app so you feel confident before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Wi-Fi for away mode?
For phone control and remote changes, yes, through a hub or bridge. Basic schedules can run on some systems without it.
Can I add a motor to my existing shades?
Sometimes, depending on the shade. Often it is simpler and more reliable to replace with a motorized shade built for it.
What if the power goes out?
Battery-powered motors keep working. Hardwired systems resume once power returns.
Is away mode hard to set up?
No. Most apps take a few minutes, and our team can program it for you during install.
Ready to Find the Perfect Blinds?
Browse our full collection at myhomeblinds.ca and find the right window treatments for every room in your home.
Have questions or want expert advice? We're here to help:
- 📞 Call us: 647-339-3753
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