Class Up Your Bathroom With the Best Shower Curtains
Whether you’re renting an apartment or own your own home, bathrooms tend to be pretty standard across the board. Finding a way to add your personal style to these generally generic spaces can be a pretty daunting task since space can often be limited and home decor items tend to be geared towards more visible rooms. A great place to start is with something everyone should have in their bathroom anyways – shower curtains. Besides the obvious practical use of keeping shower water from spilling over onto the floor, shower curtains are a really easy way to make your bathroom more homey.
This simple addition will quickly update your bathroom aesthetics, so get your hands on one of the most popular shower curtains of 2023. We have composed a buying guide with an FAQ section to help you find the one for you.
A Buying Guide to Shower Curtains
Shower curtains might not be the most complicated when it comes to bathroom accessories, but finding the right balance between quality, aesthetics, and price can be tricky. But by following this buying guide you can land yourself top-quality shower curtains that are truly reliable.
Some Benefits of Shower Curtains
Prevents water leakage
Shower cubicles can be quite useful in preventing water leakage while you shower, but if you don’t have one, try a shower curtain. It works the same way as a shower door and blocks the water from leaking out of the shower area. A shower curtain is better than a shower door in several ways – most notably cost.
Secludes bathroom area
A shower curtain can make it a bit spacious if you have a small bathroom with tight space. Since the shower curtain secludes the shower area from the rest of the bathroom, it divides the area into two, giving each the illusion of wider space.
Convenient cleaning
Wiping water off the bathroom floor every time you shower can be time-consuming, but not if there’s no water leakage. With a shower curtain, you can maintain a dry bathroom at all times without needing to clean it every other day.
Easy bathroom decor
Shower curtains are such an easy way to update a bland bathroom. Whether you’re looking to add a fun focal point to your bathroom or just want to change the aesthetic, adding a new shower curtain is a cost-effective alternative to a full bathroom remodel.
What To Look For in a Shower Curtain
Size
Shower curtains come in different sizes, so determine the length and width of your shower before buying one. The standard curtain size is 72×72 inches but be sure to measure your shower area and buy one that matches it since there is often variation, especially in apartment complexes.
Material
Most people opt for vinyl shower curtains due to their excellent water-repelling properties, but this material isn’t the most durable. We recommend fabric shower curtains made of cotton, polyester, microfibre, or blended materials as they last longer and are easy to clean in a washer.
Design
The market is full of unique and vibrant shower curtains, so you’ll have lots to choose from when you’re looking for your perfect bathroom addition. Look for neutrals or solid colors if you want to give your bathroom a subtle, spacious look. Patterns and vibrant colors can be fun but also tend to be more opaque and block natural light.
Attachments
The hardest part of hanging a shower curtain is sewing in the hooks for rings. However, if you buy shower curtains with already stitched hooks, installing them will be much easier. We also recommend buying a curtain with rings as it will save you an extra errand later.
Liners
If you’re buying a fabric shower curtain, you should always invest in one with a reliable liner. Polyester is the ideal material for a liner as it is wrinkle-resistant, durable, and waterproof. It is also easy to maintain and repels molds.
Types of Shower Curtains
Hookless curtains
These curtains have built-in metal loops, or grommets, that slide smoothly across the rod without noise. They might be hard to uninstall as you must detach the rod first, but since most grommets are rust-proof, many people prefer them over hooks or rings.
Decorative curtains
As the name suggests, decorative shower curtains are primarily used as decoration accessories. They are commonly used with bathtubs to draw attention with their pattern and color. Since their main purpose is not to prevent water leakage, these curtains are usually in cotton, which is super soft and smooth. Some premium-quality decorative curtains are hand-sewn with hints of lace or embroidery.
Extra-wide curtains
Shower curtains that have extra-wide dimensions are a popular choice for many. The main reason is these curtains produce generous drapes and can be used as decorative and functional shower curtains.
These curtains have extra-wide mantle liners that soak up the excess moisture and tend to be more durable. Extra-wide curtains generally have L-shaped rods and are preferable for bigger bathtubs.
How To Take Care of Your Shower Curtains
- Remove the rings from the shower curtains before washing them.
- If the shower curtain is machine washable, you should wash it with mild detergent and a cup of white vinegar using a gentle cycle.
- Dry it in the dryer and iron it before putting it back up in the bathroom.
- If the curtain is not machine washable, we recommend soaking it in lukewarm water with borax, lemon juice, or vinegar to remove any hints of mold.
- Then soak it again using mild detergent, oxygen bleach, or a laundry booster to remove mildew. Give it a good rub before draining the water.
- Air dry the shower curtain in sunlight to kill any remaining bacteria.
- As for the rings, soak them in hot water with a cup of white vinegar and dishwashing liquid. Rub them thoroughly to remove soap scum and dust before draining and drying them.
Reviewing the Top-Rated Shower Curtains of 2023
Folkulture Shower Curtain
– Best Overall
Design and detailing are the most sought-after factors in a shower curtain, but they aren’t as important as durability, which is why we recommend this Folkulture shower curtain. Its cotton material is sturdy and waterproof, keeping moisture inside the shower and off your floors. You can count on this curtain’s chic black and white design as it offers excellent privacy.
This shower curtain also features tassels for a boho vibe contrasting its basic color. Unlike other shower curtains, this one doesn’t use extra liners that attract mildew and stains. The curtain is equipped with hook loops for user convenience. This curtain is our top recommended product because it lasts for a long time before showing signs of wear.
- Easy to keep wrinkle-free
- Made of thick material
- Resists mold odor
- Available in various designs
- Tassels get soaked in water
Dynamene Shower Curtain
– Modern Style
The Dynamene Navy Blue Shower Curtain is a high-quality, luxurious shower curtain that can give any bathroom an elegant, stylish upgrade. It boasts an impressive 256GSM fabric that is made from heavyweight polyester, making it 1.1 pounds heavier than regular 90GSM materials and feeling almost like real cotton. Its distinctive honeycomb waffle weave pattern provides a layer of modernity to your space. The shower curtain is also incredibly durable and long-lasting, with lotus leaf water-repellent, oil-repellent, and stain-repellent features makes it ideal for everyday use.
It also features 12 rust-resistant grommets and a weighted hem which prevents billowing. Not to mention, it offers complete privacy while still allowing light to shine through. The Dynamene Navy Blue Shower Curtain can fit in most standard-size showers and comes with 12 plastic hooks for easy installation. Its cloth fabric material is machine washable and requires minimal maintenance and care, so you don’t have to worry about constant upkeep or replacement.
- Extra long and heavyweight fabric
- Fully weighted hem keeps curtain on the ground
- Dries faster because of wavy pleats staying put
- Longer than advertised
N&Y Home Shower Curtain
– Easy to Maintain
Shower curtains can get slimy within days, but that’s not the case with the N&Y Home shower curtain. This curtain is padded with a thick polyester liner that repels moisture keeping the cotton fabric dry. The cotton features a waffle weave that adds texture and pattern to the curtain. While the opaque bottom of this shower curtain offers full coverage, there is also a small transparent mesh window that acts as a passage for light.
The best part about this product is its magnetic edges that separate the two fabrics for washing. With twelve metal loops and wrinkle-resistant properties, this curtain is super durable and easy to maintain.
- Holds its shape
- Fabric liner is replaceable
- Traps the shower steam
- Easy to hang
- Not very eco-friendly
Alyvia Spring Shower Curtain
– Value Pick
Not all affordable shower curtains offer as much value as the Alyvia Spring shower curtain does. This product made it to our list mainly because of the lightweight fabric. Unlike other products, this one is made of super soft, polyester-blend cotton material with a polyester liner. While the liner acts as a water-repellent, the front fabric keeps the curtain soft and smooth. It also creates generous drapes that go well with the plain black color of the curtain.
Since this curtain is extremely light, it is equipped with three magnets that add weight to the product and a snap closure between the liner and fabric to keep everything from shifting around while the water is running. With 16 vibrant shades other than neutral, you’ll be sure to find the perfect hue to complement your bathroom decor.
- Features rust-proof metal loops
- Polyester is BPA-free
- Offers excellent coverage
- It is a bit flimsy
Creative Home Ideas Shower Curtain
– Most Color Options
Most brands offer limited color options, but the Creative Home Ideas shower curtain is available in 19 bright hues. The curtain has a dark color on the bottom that lightens up into an ombre as it reaches the top. This shower curtain is made of high-quality polyester that is water-repellent and durable. Since it is semi-sheer, it allows light to pass through from the top.
The top hem of this curtain features twelve hook holes that go perfectly with the metal rings for standard rods. These metal rings are rust-proof and glide pretty smoothly across the rods. The curtain is machine-washable and safe to iron – which may come in handy since it isn’t the most wrinkle-resistant.
- The liner is quite durable
- Fabric is pretty lightweight
- It is machine washable
- Magnets are pretty tough
- The installation is a little complicated
Comfort Spaces Shower Curtain
– Easiest to Use
If you’re looking for a shower curtain that hangs easily, we recommend buying this one by Comfort Spaces. This product is extremely thin and lightweight, making it easy to handle. The hemline of the curtain features several fine hoops for hanging.
This shower curtain is constructed from quality microfiber that is not only water-resistant but also stain-resistant and bacteria-repelling as well. It features a trichromatic design, with the major chunk being opaque, and has finely stitched seams as a finishing touch. This product is pretty durable and can bear high water pressure. It is also machine washable and low-maintenance.
- Looks pretty aesthetic
- Features a soft texture
- The fabric is mildew-free
- It wrinkles rather easily
People Also Asked
A: We recommend users close their shower curtains to dry out properly after use. Leaving it open can cause it to grow mold due to the constant moisture. A wet shower curtain can also attract bacteria that can cause allergies.
A: Shower curtains are usually exposed to water regularly, but that doesn't mean they are clean. If possible, you should wash your shower curtains every month to repel germs and odor. However, deep cleaning the curtains every three months can also do the job.
A: If your curtains are in well-maintained condition with few signs of mold or mildew, you can use them for up to a year. However, if the curtains are of average quality, they'll likely become flimsy, so we recommend replacing them after six months of usage.
