Bottom Up Cellular Blinds: The Smartest Privacy Solution You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
When the team at a fitness centre in Kibworth reached out, their request was straightforward:
“We need privacy during classes but we still want the space to feel bright and open.”
At first, they asked about traditional roller blinds.
And that’s where the problem started.
The Privacy Problem with Roller Blinds
Yes, roller blinds can block views. And with light-filtering fabrics, they can soften daylight while offering a degree of privacy. For some spaces, that works just fine.
But here’s the catch:
To get reliable privacy at eye level especially during a fitness class you’d need to keep the blinds fully down. All the time.
That means losing the top portion of natural daylight, even when you don’t need full coverage.
So while light-filtering rollers work to a point, they still force a choice:
Privacy or light—but not both. The other issue with the Roller Blinds fully down is that the business from the outside would look closed.
Bottom up cellular blinds remove that trade-off entirely.
How Bottom Up Blinds Work (And Why They’re Brilliant)
Instead of pulling down from the top, these blinds lift up from the bottom just enough to block sight lines while still letting daylight pour in from above.
It’s such a simple shift, but it makes a huge difference. The team can run classes with complete privacy, and the room stays filled with natural light. No compromise.
If you were walking past the lights would be on and it would be clear that they are open for business.
It’s Not Just for Gyms These Are Bedroom Game-Changers Too
We’ve seen the same issue in homes, especially in overlooked bedrooms.
Roller blinds? You either feel exposed or sit in darkness.
Curtains? Not great for insulation and not always sleek.
Bottom up cellular blinds do both. Light at the top. Privacy below. All day long.
And when we fit them inside our blackout frame system, they’re the only product we guarantee total blackout for bedrooms.
No light leaks. No glow. Just peaceful, uninterrupted rest day or night.
A Quick Note on Cellular Fabric
Cellular (or “honeycomb”) fabric isn’t just for looks. The design traps air, giving you extra insulation that helps regulate temperature all year round warm in winter, cool in summer. It’s a smart choice for energy efficiency too.
Tests carried out by The British Blind and Shutter Association and the University of Salford showed that cellular blinds will reduce heat loss by 32% in the winter.
To find out more about energy saving blinds click here
Final Thought: Sometimes the Best Solutions Flip the Script
The original request was for a common fix. But by flipping the approach literally we delivered a better result.
So if you're looking for:
- Privacy without sacrificing light,
- True blackout for your bedroom, or
- A smarter, sleeker look than bulky curtains or clunky rollers...
Bottom up cellular blinds might be exactly what you need. Made in our Leicester factory, so as with the fitness centre we could have them fitted in less than 2 weeks.
FAQs
What are bottom up cellular blinds?
Bottom up cellular blinds are window coverings that lift from the bottom instead of pulling down from the top. They allow privacy at eye level while still letting daylight in from above. The “cellular” fabric design also provides insulation.
Are bottom up blinds better than roller blinds?
It depends on your needs. Roller blinds (especially with light-filtering fabrics) can soften sunlight and offer partial privacy. But bottom up blinds give you targeted privacy without blocking daylight a big advantage in spaces like bedrooms or gyms.
Do bottom up blinds offer full blackout?
Yes. When installed inside our custom blackout frame system, we guarantee total blackout performance in bedrooms. No glow, no gaps just full light control.
Are bottom up blinds good for insulation?
Yes. The cellular (honeycomb) structure traps air, helping regulate temperature and improve energy efficiency throughout the year.
Can I use bottom up blinds in living rooms or bathrooms?
Absolutely. They’re versatile and work well anywhere you want natural light without feeling exposed like ground-floor bathrooms, front-facing lounges, or street-level flats.
About Phil Coleman
Phil Coleman is the fifth generation of his family to run Barlow Blinds, a Leicester business that has been making blinds since 1887. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Phil has played a leading role in shaping industry standards including being part of the team that wrote the only NVQ qualification for blind and shutter installers. He also serves on the Management Committee of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), helping to set best practice across the trade. Under his leadership, Barlow Blinds has remained true to its founding principle: “It’s not our job to find customers for our blinds, it’s our job to find the right blinds for our customers.”
