Interior design plays a considerable part in a bathroom’s atmosphere, altering the mood and your perception of its size. You’d be surprised at how much color and decoration can play a role in making the room feel more spacious.

Selecting the shower curtain is a part of bathroom design that most people often skip over when they’re redecorating. Just because it needs to be functional doesn’t mean it needs to be ugly or poorly sized. It’s essential to the purpose and beauty of your bathroom, so you must know the standard shower curtain size.

There are tons of shower curtains available online and in stores, but it can be confusing to find one that matches your style and shower size exactly. Not all curtains are equal–you can’t just buy one randomly and expect it to work correctly. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything there is to know about purchasing shower curtains!

What is the standard shower curtain size?

There are three different sizing options for purchasing shower curtains. The standard shower curtain size can measure anywhere from 70×70 inches, 70×72 inches, or 72 x 72 inches. The curtain extends from the shower rod to the floor, covering the tub and protecting the rest of your bathroom from water.

The easiest way to double-check your shower’s size is by grabbing a tape measure and measuring the width. Measure from wall to wall, but remember that you should include some extra fabric in your calculations. You’ll need to add about 12 inches to the width because you don’t want it to be fully stretched out when you close the curtain. Instead, it should have extra folds of fabric for a more refined appearance.

Next, measure from the top of the curtain rod to the floor, this time removing a few inches from the total length based on the size of the curtain rings. Remember to include any extra fabric you might need to cover the entire tub and protect your floor from water seepage.

If you have a custom shower, such as one that is tall, extra wide, or a stall, you’ll need to find specialty curtains to fit it adequately. Fortunately, they aren’t that much more expensive. Showers don’t need to have a perfect fit, either. As long as it protects your bathroom from the water, then it fits well enough!

What are the different types of shower curtain fabrics?

You can find nearly any kind of shower curtain on the market nowadays. The most popular curtains have two fabric layers: one plastic sheet inside the shower to protect against water and one cloth side for the outer layer to serve as decoration. The design and type of fabric you choose can significantly impact the feel and atmosphere of your bathroom.

Cotton

Cotton is an excellent choice when you want a soft and comfortable curtain option. It is incredibly affordable, versatile and comes in a wide range of colors and styles. You’ll quickly find curtains that you love and match your bathroom design. They’re also easy to take care of–just toss them in the wash!

You can choose cheap cotton or select a fancier blended cotton fabric, allowing you the opportunity to make your bathroom seem a bit more upscale and fancy. Since the cotton absorbs water, though, they’re best for showers that don’t get as much daily use, such as those in guest bathrooms. If you take a shower every day, it’ll just soak through and gather mold quickly. If you prefer cotton curtains, at least pair them with a plastic liner.

Vinyl

Vinyl is probably the most common type of curtain available. It’s doubtful that you’ve never used or seen one before. These plastic curtains are inexpensive and water repellant, so the fabric won’t soak during the shower. It also helps prevent mold or mildew buildup. Unlike the cotton curtain, which needs to be thoroughly dried after every use, you don’t need to worry about germs with vinyl. It might not be as pleasurable to use as other fabrics, but it is the best choice thanks to its low cost and long lifespan. You can always couple the vinyl with a layer of another material to make it look a bit more elegant.

Our Best Tips for Buying Shower Curtains

Here are our final four tips to remember when choosing a shower curtain for your bathroom. Follow our advice to select the best one and maintain it so that your bathroom always appears clean and beautiful.

Choose the right color

You don’t want to choose a super dark color when your bathroom is small and doesn’t get natural light. Lighter colors or even transparent shower curtains are best as they can make the room feel more spacious and allow for light to reflect within the space. Choose a curtain like this for a minimal and natural design.

Always use a liner

Protect your bathroom and shower curtain fabric from mold buildup. Sitting water can cause severe damage to your house, so using a plastic vinyl liner like this can help mitigate that. It’ll protect your bathroom from water seeping out of the sides while showering. The liner helps prevent bacteria from growing and is especially crucial when you live in a humid climate or don’t have good ventilation in your space. Also, you can always opt-out of additional fabric layers and just use the clear liner if you want to have a very minimalistic shower curtain.

Make sure to clean your curtain

Showers are not self-washing, and neither are the curtains. You’ll need to wash your curtains to guarantee cleanliness and avoid any bacteria buildup. Remove the curtain rings and toss the sheet and liner together in the washing machine with some detergent and baking soda. It would be best if you washed it at the highest level with hot water, then add white vinegar during the rinse cycle. You don’t need to use the dryer–just hanging it up outside to air dry will be enough. If you own a plastic curtain, you can hang it up in the bathroom immediately after it finishes in the wash since it’s protected against mildew. For deeper cleaning, throw some bleach in the wash with the curtain.

Use grommets whenever possible

Grommets are those metal rings inserted into the curtain’s holes where the rings or rod go through. You might not think it’s that big of a deal, but using curtains with grommets can help prolong the lifespan of your curtain. They protect the fabric from ripping every time you yank the curtain open and closed. You don’t want to be in the middle of shampooing when all of a sudden it tears off.

Buying a shower curtain isn’t a complicated or expensive process. Choose one that matches your style and make sure it fits the standard shower curtain size. If you live in a warm climate, try and replace your curtain and liner every six months or so. Check out this guide whenever you need help figuring out which curtain to buy!