Whether your space is large, small, newly renovated, or in desperate need of some sprucing, upgrading your shower curtain is a simple way to elevate and add personality to your bathroom. “People look to shower curtains to add warmth, texture, and personality to their bathroom,” says interior designer Ruthie Jackson. “They are an inexpensive and low-risk way to introduce a fun pattern.” We’ve identified the 18 best shower curtains that instantly up your bathroom game—from statement-making florals to hotel-quality neutrals. Our pick for the best overall shower curtain is the Outlines Shower System, because it offers a crisp and classic design that is versatile enough for any bathroom while also managing to make your shower curtain upkeep environmentally friendly and simple. Keep reading to find our recommendations for the best shower curtains. Keep in Mind: It’s pretty plain, so if you are looking for a pop of color or pattern, you may want to look elsewhere. The top part of the shower liner, The Keep, is made of 100% sustainable cotton and is reusable and machine-washable. Meanwhile, the bottom part of the shower, the Replen liner, is recyclable. The upper portion of the curtain is reusable and machine-washable, while you recycle the lower portion on a schedule of your choosing to keep your bathroom mold- and grime-free. Ahead of purchasing, you’ll take a quiz that decides the frequency with which you receive new Replen, and send your old one back for recycling. Unlike other plastic liners, the Replen liner is made of 100% certified non-toxic PEVA, which makes it better for the environment than PVC liners. It also doesn’t look like a boring old shower curtain, though it is easy to clean like a plastic one. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Dimensions: 71 x 72 inches | Material: 100% cotton canvas, certified non-toxic PEVA | Hanging Method: Grommets for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash. Keep in Mind: It’s made out of polyester that is not 100% waterproof. Something to consider is that the curtain is made out of polyester, which is not 100% waterproof, though it can naturally repel some water. Therefore, to keep your curtain from developing mold or mildew, it is recommended that you use it with a 100% waterproof liner. The waffle fabric is heavy, draft resistant, and opaque, so it won’t kick up in the shower or leave water all over your bathroom floor, and it offers you plenty of privacy. Price at time of publish: $17 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 100% polyester | Hanging Method: Grommets for hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash. Keep in Mind: The Organic Stripe Jacquard Shower Curtain from West Elm is featured in white and frost gray options. Made out of 100% organic cotton, this shower curtain is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard for ethical production. While we love that it is sustainable, the material of the curtain means that you should use a liner to keep it from attracting mold or mildew. Be aware that cotton can shrink, so you’ll need to follow the care instructions carefully to avoid that fate. When you wash the curtain, you can wash it in warm water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry it low. Price at time of publish: $70 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 74 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash warm on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry low. Keep in Mind: This vinyl shower curtain is treated with an agent to resist mildew and has a reinforced mesh header with rust-proof grommets to avoid tearing around the rings. The Zenna Home shower curtain comes in four colors: white, beige, clear, and Frosty. It is suitable on its own or paired with a decorative curtain, serving as a liner instead. It’s draft-resistant, which means it’ll stick close to the tub instead of attempting to stick to you while you shower. Price at time of publish: $15 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: Vinyl | Hanging Method: Grommets for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Wipe with a damp cloth. Keep in Mind: Do you know that feeling of trying on a pair of jeans that are just a little too short? Now imagine that with a shower curtain. The curtain’s pattern is a pretty, classic vertical stripe—ideal for someone who doesn’t want their shower curtain to distract from other features in their bathroom but wants something simple to tie it all together. It is featured in three colors: beige (a beige and white stripe), ocean (a navy blue and white stripe), and rosewater (a light pink and white stripe). The material is 100% cotton, so while it will add dimension with its height, it is light and airy. Just be sure to follow the care instructions carefully—you’ll want to avoid shrinkage, mildew, and mold. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 96 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Hanging Method: Shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. Keep in Mind: If you have a shower that exceeds the standard measurements of 72 x 72 inches, you don’t have to buy a custom curtain to make your space look luxurious. Made of 100% Polyester, the fabric is meant to repel water to keep mold and mildew away, and your shower curtain looking brand new. The Spa Waffle Curtain is long enough to cover the extra length of a custom shower, but it has also been treated with 3M Scotchgard water repellent treatment so that it doesn’t absorb water, and it’s stain resistant. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 72 inches | Material: 100% polyester | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for shower hooks and rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash. Keep in Mind: Typical shower curtains are 72 x 72 inches. The stall shower curtain measures 32 x 72 inches and is made for stall showers. Washing your fabric shower curtains is extremely important to avoid mildew and mold stains. You can machine wash the N&Y HOME Fabric Shower Curtain, which is made of water-repellent, polyester fabric. This stall shower curtain has two strong magnetic weights in the bottom corners that keep your shower space secured, and your water from getting all over the bathroom floor. Price at time of publish: $10 Product Details: Dimensions: 36 x 72 inches | Material: Polyester and polyester blend | Hanging Method: Grommets for shower hooks and rings | Care Instructions: Machine washes cold with similar colors. Keep in Mind: It’s made of non-chlorinated EVA that is PVC and BPA-free, which means it’s not harmful to you or the environment, like some other plastics. The brand offers multiple colors for its transparent curtains, ranging from hot pink to forest green and black. Keep in mind that the colors may appear more or less saturated, depending on the lighting in your bathroom and the way you choose to leave it draped. A clear shower curtain offers little privacy for obvious reasons. If you’ve got a busy home with high foot traffic and only one bathroom, you might not be able to let someone into the bathroom to brush their teeth while you’re using the shower. The great thing about translucent shower curtains is that they allow plenty of light to get into the shower. Jackson says that people forget about lighting when looking for the best shower curtain. She says that if you don’t have a lighting fixture in your shower, keeping your shower curtain light (or, in this case, clear) helps keep the space bright. She also recommends ensuring that the rod is mounted low enough to let light in. Price at time of publish: $38 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 100% EVA | Hanging Method: Grommets for hooks or rings | Care Instructions: At the first sign of soapy residue, wipe clean with a gentle spray cleaner. Keep in Mind: When looking for a waffle shower curtain, you want something that gives off luxury spa vibes. The texture of the curtain adds dimension to your space, and what makes this one the best shower curtain for the waffle-weave lover is that it has enough heft that it stays put and isn’t see-through. This shower curtain has two extra inches on a standard curtain, measuring 72 x 74 inches. You can machine wash this shower curtain to keep it clean and mildew-free, but keep in mind that due to its texture, it may extend slightly when hanging, but retain its size once washed. Price at time of publish: $70 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash, and tumble dry. Keep in Mind: Made of soft, garment-washed, and yarn-dyed cotton in Portugal, the curtain’s neutral checked pattern features natural white and bone hues. Parachute is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, which means that this shower curtain surpasses the highest standards of testing for harmful chemicals and synthetics. Though the shower curtain is soft to the touch, it is not artificially softened, which means that you won’t be unknowingly affected by harsh chemicals that can sometimes be used in these cases. Parachute also offers free carbon-neutral shipping and returns, which is also good for the planet. Price at time of publish: $109 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash. Keep in Mind: The Agneta Shower Curtain from Anthropologie is as eye-catching as wallpaper without all of the stress of making a permanent decision about your bathroom decor. Price at time of publish: $88 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: Organic cotton slub | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash. Keep in Mind: Art comes in all forms, but we bet you didn’t expect it to come as a shower curtain. Made of 100% polyester, you don’t need an art degree to keep this piece looking brand new—just machine wash and tumble dry to keep mildew and mold at bay. This curtain is also longer than your standard shower curtain, measuring 71 by 74 inches. The additional length gives you options when it comes to how high you’ll hang it. Price at time of publish: $42 Product Details: Dimensions: 71 x 74 inches | Material: Polyester | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash, and tumble dry. Keep in Mind: At nearly half the price of most competitors, this curtain adds a crisp, classic touch to their bathroom. Because of its material, you can wash the shower curtain with like colors on the gentle cycle and either line dry or tumble dry on low. If you’re worried about wrinkles, don’t! When you steam up your bathroom during your showers, the linen will lose any wrinkles. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 100% European flax | Hanging Method: Button holes for hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, hang dry. Keep in Mind: You’re off the hook when it comes to buying hardware to hang this shower curtain from Bed Bath & Beyond. The top portion of the shower allows air to properly circulate while you shower, so while it’s not weighted with magnets like other shower curtains, it stays in place. With eleven colors to choose from, the Hookless Waffle Shower Curtain fits seamlessly with your existing bathroom decor. The curtain comes in black, blue, cream, white, dark gray, gray, mist blue, navy, jade, red, and sea blue. It also comes in multiple sizes, so you can purchase it to fit your stall, standard, long, or extra-long shower. Price at time of publish: $43 Product Details: Dimensions: 71 x 74 inches | Material: Polyester | Hanging Method: Split ring, hookless design | Care Instructions: Machine wash. Keep in Mind: The citrus design has a hand-painted feel, which sets this patterned shower curtain apart from other designs that are screen printed on polyester or vinyl. We love that this design uses buttonholes versus grommets for shower hooks or rings, leaving the design uninterrupted and giving an organic feel to the draping. It fits a standard shower, measuring 72 x 72 inches. Price at time of publish: $39 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash. Keep in Mind: Mid-century modern is making a major comeback, and this shower curtain makes extending this design aesthetic into the bathroom simple. It’s woven from soft, draped organic cotton grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, making for a healthier home that’s friendlier to the environment. To care for this abstract shower curtain, which is made of 100% cotton, you can machine wash it in warm water. Use non-chlorine bleach when needed, and then tumble dry it. Price at time of publish: $45 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 74 inches | Material: 100% organic cotton | Hanging Method: Buttonholes for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash, and tumble dry. Keep in Mind: No more ruffling feathers, just shower curtains. This ruffled curtain is made of 100% polyester, so while it does have some water-repellent properties, it’s not entirely waterproof. You should consider using a liner—it could be fabric or plastic—to keep the bottom of the curtain from developing any mildew or mold, because it is white. Price at time of publish: $26 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 100% polyester | Hanging Method: Button holes for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash, and dry. Keep in Mind: Parents know the struggle of kids who love something one day and are suddenly in love with something else the next. Made out of 70% polyester and 30% cotton, we’d recommend using a liner for this shower curtain, to avoid the common issues of mold and mildew from leaving it damp. We also suggest following the care instructions carefully so that you won’t open your dryer and find that your shower curtain has shrunk! The curtains are designed to be easy to clean and machine washable. The shower curtain is designed with buttonholes on top that make it easy to install and drape. All you need are some shower hooks or rings. Price at time of publish: $18 Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches | Material: 70% polyester, 30% cotton | Hanging Method: Buttonhole top for shower hooks or rings | Care Instructions: Machine wash, and tumble dry If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the AmazerBath Fabric Shower Curtain is a functional, affordable shower curtain.
What to Know About Shower Curtains Before Shopping
Size
While looking for the best shower curtain, you’ll want to be aware of what size you’ll need. It’s as simple as measuring the width and height of your shower from the curtain rod to the floor. Standard shower curtains are 70 x 70, 70 x 72, or 72 x 72 inches. They are meant to fit a standard bathtub, which is typically 60 inches long. When measuring your shower curtain, add 12 inches to the width to ensure that the curtain will be able to reach both walls, with some wiggle room for a more relaxed fit. When measuring for the height, subtract one or two inches to ensure you’ve got a small gap between the curtain and the floor. If you’re using shower hooks, subtract another inch. Pro tip: if you don’t already have a curtain rod installed, using a spring rod gives you the flexibility to try out different heights so that you can be sure you love the look of your curtain before committing.
Material
When choosing the best shower curtain for you, you’ll want to consider the material. Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or otherwise, there are typically two material types to choose from plastic or fabric. Plastic shower curtains can be used without a liner and are easy to clean, while fabric shower curtains typically need a liner (though this can also be fabric) and must be washed to prevent a buildup of mold and mildew. Fabric shower curtains are a bit more friendly to the environment. Polyester is a popular choice for shower curtains, as it is water- and mildew-resistant. If you choose a shower curtain made from a non-water-resistant material (like silk, for example) you’ll need a shower liner to prevent any damage. When shopping for a plastic shower curtain, look for PEVA curtains—they’re waterproof but do not contain PVC, which isn’t good for you or the environment.
Hanging Method
There are a few ways to hang your shower curtain that largely depend on the style of your shower. First, determine whether you are hanging your curtain with a mounted rod (one that is permanently affixed to your bathroom walls) or with a tension rod (a temporary rod that you’ll have to install yourself). You can then determine whether you’ll be hanging your shower curtain using shower hooks or rings, or whether it can be hung without them.
Care Instructions
If you’ve chosen a fabric shower curtain, you can keep it clean by putting it in the washing machine. Add baking soda to help fight the grime that may have built up over time. Be sure to read the instructions for your specific shower curtain, as certain fabrics may shrink in the dryer. Plastic shower curtains can be washed with the shower spray of your choosing during your cleaning routine, soaked in baking soda and vinegar to remove residue, and then scrubbed or even put into the washing machine on the cool setting alongside some towels. Just be sure not to put your plastic shower curtain into the dryer.
Your Questions, Answered
Is a fabric or a plastic shower curtain better?
While this is generally a matter of preference, there are a few factors to take into account when choosing the best shower curtain for your bathroom. Plastic shower curtains are simple to clean, but some can have a strong odor and harmful chemicals. If you’re going with a plastic shower curtain, keep in mind that those containing PVC are less eco-friendly and contain more chemicals than PEVA or EVA curtains. Fabric shower curtains are a more sustainable choice than plastic and are easy to throw in the washing machine. (Be sure to do so regularly, to avoid mold and mildew!) One added benefit of a fabric shower curtain is that you don’t have to throw it out every time it gets moldy, like you do its plastic counterpart.
How long should a shower curtain be?
The standard size of a shower curtain is 72 x 72 inches, which is long enough to extend over the edge of your tub and hang a few inches from the floor. Going with a longer shower curtain, 72 x 84 inches, makes it so that your curtain nearly touches the floor. The choice is mostly an aesthetic one, but be sure that you choose a length that keeps water from escaping during your shower. “I like to mount them high and buy them long. Use a ceiling mount rod or track to keep the look tidy,” says Jackson. Of course, if your shower is custom-built, you’ll have to consult the measurements to make sure that you get a shower curtain that suits your space.
Do you need a liner with a fabric shower curtain?
A shower liner serves two functions: It keeps water inside your shower instead of all over your bathroom floor, and it keeps your shower curtain, which may not be water-resistant, from getting wet and developing mold or mildew. When choosing a fabric shower curtain, take note of whether it is made of water-resistant materials; if it is, then there’s no need for a liner (unless you’re looking for extra coverage, in which case, adding a liner is a stylistic choice). If your fabric shower curtain is not made of water-resistant or quick-drying material, a liner may be necessary to increase its lifespan. Essentially, it’s up to you and your cleaning preferences—don’t forget to pull the shower curtain over the edge of the tub before showering if you haven’t got a liner! You don’t want to end up with a mess!
Who We Are
Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer at Better Homes & Gardens. For this story, she consulted Ruthie Jackson to learn more about how to choose a shower curtain for more than just aesthetics and spent several hours researching shower curtains by comparing product reviews, customer recommendations, and product specifications.
