IN THIS POST:
– Shower Curtain Materials
– Shower Curtain Designs
– Shower Curtain Selection Tips
Every bathroom that has a bathtub or a tiled showering area requires a shower curtain that closes off a section of the bathroom from the toilet, providing the user with greater privacy while also preventing the water from the shower from spreading all over the tiled floor. Even bathrooms with transparent shower cabinets require a curtain for privacy, as well as aesthetics. Thus, once you’ve chosen between a bathtub and a shower cabinet, you need to consider the various types of shower curtains and determine which one fits your needs the best.
You can differentiate between the types of curtains available for your bathroom in terms of material and style. Let’s discuss each category separately before moving on to some tips for choosing the best shower curtains for your bathrooms.
Types of Shower Curtain Materials
Since bathrooms are prone to moisture, few materials are truly suitable for the perfect shower curtain. These include:
- Cotton
- Vinyl
- Microfibre
Let’s discuss each shower curtain material in detail below.
Cotton
From warmer, traditional bathrooms with an inviting and a soft touch to edgier, modern bathrooms, cotton shower curtains are often chosen by homeowners because they are effortless to clean and maintain over time. Cotton fabrics also leave a lot of room to play with patterns, colours, and designs, along with floral prints, bold geometric designs, and bright colours. Not to mention pastel shades and self-embossed fabrics that make the bathroom charming and elegant.
However, the biggest drawback of installing cotton curtains in the bathroom is that the material is highly absorbent, soaking up all of the moisture from the shower and becoming prone to mould and mildew. The trick to making a cotton curtain last longer is to add vinyl or microfibre lining to it, on the side that faces the tub, so that the fabric itself remains protected from the water. Moreover, consider washing the curtain regularly to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for mould.
Vinyl
If you have a busy lifestyle and do not have the time to throw your bathroom curtains in for a wash every few days, consider vinyl shower curtains as the next best alternative. Vinyl is a low-maintenance choice, with its synthetic manufacturing making it entirely water-resistant. It is easy to clean with water and a spare rag and is quite lightweight as well.
These shower curtains are available in an array of patterns, colours, and designs, so you can match them to your bathroom’s décor and colour scheme easily. What’s more, vinyl curtains are fairly opaque and do not require a lining, but you might consider adding one if you choose a curtain that’s of a lighter colour and seems transparent depending on the placement of light fixtures and windows in your bathroom.
When it comes to vinyl, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is the most commonly available variety, but this material can be extremely toxic since it is a chlorinated vinyl. In contrast, most sellers in Pakistan now stock up on shower curtains made of PEVA (polyethene vinyl acetate), which is a non-chlorinated vinyl, and a healthier option to PVC.
Microfibre
Microfibre, better known as polyester, is another common fabric for shower curtains in Pakistan. Heavier than vinyl but just as water-resistant, this material might get wet, but the water evaporates quickly, especially in well-ventilated bathrooms, keeping mould and mildew away.
Polyester shower curtains often have weights or magnets attached at the bottom, which explains the additional weight but makes them great for tubs where the shower pressure is high and pushes the curtain away, or where an exhaust fan blows the curtain around, making the entire bathroom wet. Cleaning microfibre shower curtains is also quite easy, as you can throw them into a washing machine occasionally for a wash or even wash them by hand.
However, since these are the heaviest among the different types of shower curtains, make sure the curtain rod is stable and sturdy enough to support the extra weight or make adjustments/replacements accordingly.
Different Shower Curtain Designs
Since shower curtains are not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing, they differ in terms of designs and styles as well. Popular shower curtain designs include:
- Hookless
- Decorative
- Extra-Wide
We’ve explained each style of shower curtains below for your ease.
Hookless
Most shower curtains have grommets fitted on the upper edge at equal distances, surrounding small holes into which loops or hooks are passed before the curtain is hung up. In contrast, hookless shower curtains do not have any curtain rings, loops, hoops, or hooks to attach to the curtain. Instead, they have large holes at the upper rim, held in place using grommets. You can pass the curtain directly into the rod, one hole at a time, without the need for loops or hooks.
This style of shower curtains is generally ideal when the curtain rod is close to the ceiling, as this will make the curtain remain flush with the ceiling of the bathroom without any gaps. However, the rod must be detachable easily for you to replace or wash the curtain from time to time. Hookless curtains are commonly found in contemporary bathrooms, so your choice should consider the different interior décor styles and the particular style you want to reflect. Hookless curtains can be found in all three fabric materials discussed above.
Decorative
If you want to add a touch of luxury and royalty to your bathroom, consider decorative shower curtains made of high-quality materials like faux silk, nylon, linen, and cotton. These curtains are adorned and embellished using lace, patterns, embroideries, beads, and other small touches to make them stand out and create a beautiful addition to your bathroom. You can consider whatever designs, colours, and patterns that fit your colour scheme and out of the three most common fabrics that we’ve discussed in detail above, cotton is the most recommended choice.
However, whether you choose cotton, silk, or any of the other rich fabrics that are commonly used for decorative curtains, you will need to add a lining of polyester or vinyl to them to ensure that the fancy fabrics do not get wet or stained by the water. They’re not the most practical shower curtain option, though, and are often preferred for their aesthetic appeal over functionality.
Extra-Wide
Owners of clawfoot or freestanding tubs often face a dilemma when they want additional privacy for their bathtubs but can’t find the curtains in the size that they’re looking for. This is because freestanding tubs are generally surrounded by L-shaped curtain rods or ceiling tracks, and ordinary shower curtains are too narrow to cover the tub in its entirety. Using more than two parts of the same curtain doesn’t offer the same sense of privacy, with too many seams and breaks between the drapes. This is where extra-wide shower curtains come in.
Extra-wide curtains offer complete privacy by surrounding the tub, moving fluently over the curving tracks and rods. While they are often made of lightweight material, you can get a cotton curtain with a vinyl lining for maximum coverage as well as water resistance.
Tips for Choosing the Right Shower Curtains
Now that we’ve covered the different types of shower curtains, let’s move on to some shower curtain selection tips that will help you make the right choice for your bathroom:
- Consider Your Requirements
- Stay Consistent
- Know Your Weight Limits
Here’s a detailed explanation of each of these tips for choosing the best shower curtains.
Consider Your Requirements
First and foremost, before you buy shower curtains, consider whether you want to focus on functionality or aesthetic appeal. While it may be possible to get the best of both worlds, we’d advise choosing a side from the get-go, so it becomes easier to make a decision if you can only choose either one. You should also measure the space you want to cover in both height and width to make the right purchase.
Stay Consistent
Next, keep your bathroom’s interior style and colour scheme in mind. If you have a minimalistic décor, don’t go with a clash of patterns and prints for the curtain. Solid colours will work well instead. Also, if your entire décor is light, don’t contrast it with a lime green curtain. Harmonise your curtain selection with your existing colours and décor for the best results.
Know Your Weight Limits
You might want to add a feeling of luxury with heavy curtains, but before buying them, you need to know what your curtain rod can hold? Talk to a technician and figure out how much weight-bearing capacity the rod has before you opt for heavier alternatives. If the rod cannot bear the curtain you choose, you can also consider installing a sturdier replacement for the new shower curtain.
Now you know all about the various types of shower curtains available in the market as well as how to buy the right curtain for your bathroom. Opening your shower curtains up after your bath is one of the many ways to make your bathroom look bigger than it truly is. You can also check out some cool ways to give your bathroom a timeless appeal to boost its appearance further.
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