What kind of curtains are best for a bathroom?

When choosing a window treatment for your bathroom, consider function first. If you are looking to add privacy, choose fabrics that are just heavy enough to obscure views while still being soft enough to let in some natural light. Lightweight materials such as cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, and some poly blends are great for bathroom curtains because they dry quickly and can be machine washed when necessary.

Should I put curtains in a bathroom?

Absolutely. Hanging curtains in a bathroom can add privacy and bring the kind of softness that turns a functional space into a relaxing sanctuary. With the right fabric choice and proper ventilation, bathroom window treatments can be both gorgeous and practical.

20 Bathroom Window Treatment Ideas to Suit Every Style and Space

Simple Bathroom Curtain Ideas

bathroom with blue cabinets and white shelving — Emily Followill

Simple, cream-colored draperies cover a generous block of windows in this elegant space. The window coverings soften an area otherwise dominated by smooth, hard surfaces. They also provide a sophisticated backdrop for the room's periwinkle vanity and soft-gray tiled floors and walls.

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Light Bathroom Curtain Ideas

bathroom with rustic table and ladder towl rack — Laurie Black

For privacy without sacrificing brightness, choose bathroom window treatments that filter light rather than blocking it. Look for a light-colored fabric that's thin enough to let natural light shine through. You should also make sure to select a fabric, such as cotton, that will hold up well in humid bath conditions.

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Bathroom Window Blinds

glass walk-in shower in bathroom — Michael Partenio Productions

Maintain a sleek, minimalistic look by foregoing elaborate curtains or draperies in the bathroom. Instead, install blinds or shutters that can close completely for privacy. Choose shades that perfectly match the color of your trim for a seamless effect.

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Bathroom Window Café Curtains

green yellow blue accent bathroom — Greg Scheidemann

A popular way to dress bathroom windows is to hang curtains or mini blinds halfway up, leaving the top part of the window exposed. In this bath, bright yellow café curtains, hung on simple rings from a skinny rod, pick up other sunny accents around the room. This simple bathroom window treatment provides privacy while still letting in plenty of natural light.

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Bathroom Window Shutter Ideas

built-in cabinets bathroom dramatic architectural details — Michael Luppino

To give a basic bathroom window a more exciting look, cover part of it with custom-ordered shutters that fold open and can be mounted over the window opening. The shutters add architectural interest and a hint of privacy. Here, white Shaker-style shutters add a subtle statement above an old-fashioned freestanding bathtub.

06 of 20

Bathroom Window Draperies

oval blue room master bath tub in front of window — Alise O'Brien

In this primary bathroom, a set of windows elegantly frame a stand-alone tub. To create the feeling of a comfortable, furnished room, soft gray curtain panels fall in graceful columns from ceiling to floor. Pinch pleats at the top create crisp folds along the length of the curtains.

07 of 20

Bathroom Window Ideas

blue-gray bathroom with red flowers — Anthony Masterson

A second-story bath might not need window treatments at all. In that case, consider installing a stained-glass window or frosted glass window for added interest. This idea works especially well in bathrooms where the only window is located in the shower area, which rules out most fabric curtains and shades. Here, natural light flows from the frosted-glass window inside the shower, adding brightness to the space without sacrificing privacy.

08 of 20

Bathroom Windows with Fabric Shades

bathroom with white tile and shower corner — Jim Franco

Relaxed Roman shades pull up in soft folds to admit light and views. On narrow bathroom windows, the shades drape in a single swag, whereas wider windows typically have two or more swags. Choose a printed fabric to give the Roman blinds a fun flourish. A lining protects the fabric from the deteriorating effects of the sun, but doesn't block light entirely, so the shades filter light gently.

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Low-Maintenance Bathroom Window Treatments

bathroom with white walls and black shutters — Jessica Glynn

Practical as well as handsome, shutters are often used in bathrooms because of their low maintenance and durability. Operable shutters let bathers regulate the light that enters the room, closing things off when needed. In this airy primary bath, painted black shutters contrast fresh white trim for a pleasing color-blocked effect. In rooms with oddly sized bathroom windows, shutters might need to be custom-ordered to fit.

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Bathroom Window Roller Shades

bathroom with tiled corner shower — John Merkl

A roller shade fits perfectly on the window frame in this primary bathroom. An elongated twine cord speaks to the vintage appeal of the bathroom, while also making it possible to lower the shades with ease. Because they're made from a thick linen fabric, the roller shades also insulate against the cold when closed.

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Bathroom Window Curtain Zones

vanity with large curtain — Emily Followill

Heavy bathroom window curtains in pale pink separate this feminine space into distinct zones. Attached with rings, one curtain creates a vanity niche. Another curtain partitions dry spaces from the tub and shower areas. The oversize curtain panels add privacy to the massive primary bathroom and create a luxurious, spa-like experience.

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Roman Shades for Bathroom Windows

bathroom with patterned tile and rich wood accents — Laura Moss

Roman shades, fabricated from sheer embroidered linen, are an elegant addition to this primary bath. Their simple construction and patterned motif provide a beautiful balance to the heavy cabinetry and ornate tile in the bathroom. The shades' quality of sheerness lets in light while still providing privacy.

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Bathroom Curtain Ideas Around the Tub

large bathroom bathtub nook with windows — Laura Moss

These basic beige curtains, when closed, block the window but add a touch of grace and softness in a room dominated by hard surfaces. When open, the curtains provide access to breathtaking views. If seclusion is not a concern, bathroom window treatments can be as simple or as sheer as you like. For complete coverage, consider installing blackout blinds or curtains. Keep in mind, however, that when closed, no natural light will filter in through these curtains.

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Bathroom Shutters and Curtains

bathroom with freestanding tub and open windows — Edmund Barr

In this bath, a freestanding tub fits under the square window. Louvered shutters provide privacy for bathers but don't restrict light. When privacy is needed, a light-blocking curtain can be drawn across the window. For a spot like this, in which the window treatment might be exposed to water, choose an all-weather fabric designed for outdoor use. Water-resistant and treated with a mildewcide, they're designed to withstand rain outdoors and will keep their good looks in your bathroom, too.

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Bathroom Window Patterned Curtains

bathroom with floral white and blue details — Emily Followill

Framing this giant window with a lavish swath of sheer drapery gives the space powerful elegance. Behind the sheers are Venetian blinds that can be lowered for privacy. Matching the curtains to the wallpaper and the fabric of the ottoman gives the room a cohesive look. A vaulted ceiling and neutral tile floor prevent the space from being overwhelming.

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Combining Bathroom Window Treatments

Bathroom vanity with clover back chair — Emily Followill

Moisture, tight space, and practicality make dressing a bathroom window particularly challenging. This stylish vanity area with marble accents features one window that serves as a focal point. To play up its design aspects, the window treatment pairs shades with a valance. Shutters mounted inside the window frame can be closed at will, while a loose valance matches the gray veins of the marble and embellishes the window glass.

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Unified Bathroom Window Treatment

white bathroom with freestanding tub — Emily Followill

In this tub alcove, multiple windows are treated as one unit. Pleated bathroom window curtains stretch from one end to the other, accenting the window grids. The simple, semi-sheer curtains add an element of privacy, while iron rings add farmhouse style to the look.

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Antique-Style Bathroom Window Treatments

bathroom with room divider around tub — Jean Allsopp

For a unique bathroom window treatment, look for architectural salvage that can be repurposed to serve as shutters. This antique divider fits perfectly behind the tub, providing ample privacy from the large bay of windows. An overarching window shade can be lowered as needed to block out light.

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Woven Bathroom Window Shades

bathroom with wooden floors and windows — David Tsay

Woven shades fit snugly into these small windows for a custom look. With a showstopping tiled tub as the bathroom's focal point, the bamboo blinds add complementary natural texture but don't compete for attention. A pale wood-colored complexion allows the shades to match other bathroom features, such as cabinetry and the floor.

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Dramatic Bathroom Shades

white bathroom with large windows — Werner Straube

The soft, weighty folds of these overscale London shades provide a beautiful counterpoint to striking windows. This bathroom window treatment enhances the romantic vintage style of the pedestal tub, marble floor, and pale blue walls. Mounted just below the ceiling, the shade is flat across the top with inverted pleats that gather into gentle folds and a tail or wing at each side. Lining is essential for protecting the fabric from the sun, and interlining can give the window treatment body, as well as improve the treatment's insulating ability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of curtains are best for a bathroom?

When choosing a window treatment for your bathroom, consider function first. If you are looking to add privacy, choose fabrics that are just heavy enough to obscure views while still being soft enough to let in some natural light. Lightweight materials such as cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, and some poly blends are great for bathroom curtains because they dry quickly and can be machine washed when necessary.
Should I put curtains in a bathroom?

Absolutely. Hanging curtains in a bathroom can add privacy and bring the kind of softness that turns a functional space into a relaxing sanctuary. With the right fabric choice and proper ventilation, bathroom window treatments can be both gorgeous and practical.