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27 Bathroom Curtain Ideas to Elevate the Style of Any Bathroom

Enhance your bathroom’s design by incorporating a stylish shower curtain.

While often overlooked, shower curtains are not just functional accessories but can also serve as an opportunity to showcase your design aesthetic. Whether you opt for a subtle, neutral curtain that allows the rest of your bathroom decor to stand out, or a bold, vibrant pattern that becomes the focal point of the space, the right shower curtain can dramatically impact the look and feel of your bathroom.

Explore the 32 creative and chic shower curtain ideas below, guaranteed to impress guests and elevate your bathroom’s design.

1. Incorporate Florals for a Vibrant Touch

Colorful shower curtain in floral patterns is pared with walls painted in muted green tones
Design by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

If your bathroom features muted tones like beige, introduce a vibrant floral shower curtain to add visual interest.

Tie the look together by incorporating matching accent colors in items such as towels or accessories.


2. Keep It Simple

A beige shower curtain is used in a white bathroom
Design by Ajai Guyo for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Ajai Guyo

In predominantly white bathrooms, a beige or cream shower curtain can add depth without overwhelming the minimalist design.

Pair it with similarly colored towels and a bold, neutral rug for added impact.


3. Maximize Vertical Space

A tall dark shower curtain stands out in a mostly white bathroom
Design by Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Malcolm Simmons

If your bathroom has high ceilings, use a dark-colored shower curtain, such as black or gray, to emphasize the height.

The contrast between the dark curtain and white tile, paired with gold hardware, creates a dramatic effect.


4. Enhance Blue Walls

A bathroom painted a soft blue tone has a white shower curtain
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Let the color of your bathroom walls stand out by opting for a sleek white shower curtain. This approach complements blue paint and allows the walls to shine as the main feature.


5. Add Personality with Patterns

A plain white bathroom with wood features gets a pop of patterns with a boldly patterned shower curtain
Design by Julie Rose for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Inject energy into a plain bathroom by choosing a shower curtain with bold patterns. A well-selected curtain can serve as a focal point in a small space.


6. Highlight Tile Work

A pale pink bathroom is allowed to shine with a clear curtain showing off the pink tile
Design by Max Humphrey and Beebe Skidmore for Emily Henderson Design / Kaitlin Green

If your shower features distinctive tile, consider using a clear shower curtain to keep the focus on the tile design.


7. Create Drama with Heavy Fabrics

A black bathroom has a white shower curtain hanging over the tub
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

A heavy, cloth shower curtain in bright white adds weight and sophistication to your bathroom design, enhancing both texture and presence.


8. Frame a Clawfoot Tub

Erin Williamson white subway tile bath
Erin Williamson Design

For standalone tubs, using a wraparound curtain track provides a classic look. This treatment adds elegance while maintaining an airy feel.


9. Draw Attention to the Floor

vintage-style gray-and-white bathroom
Erin Williamson Design

Use a bold design element like a black stripe on a white shower curtain to direct attention toward beautifully tiled floors, an often overlooked detail in bathrooms.


10. Double the Impact

dark shiplap half wall bathroom
Ashley Montgomery Design

For a bold look, consider a double shower curtain in a striking pattern, such as black and white checkered, to create a dramatic visual contrast in the bathroom.


11. Emphasize Natural Light

bathroom decorated with pampas grass
Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

Choose a light, airy shower curtain to allow natural light from windows to disperse evenly throughout the space, creating a warm, ethereal atmosphere.


12. Explore Colorblocking

Yellow and orange bright bathroom
Dazey Den

Mix historical elements like midcentury-inspired tubs with modern details through colorblocking.

An orange shower curtain can complement the tub, bringing unity and vibrancy to the space.


13. Match Shower Curtains with Accessories

A gray and white shower curtain matches the tiny table of toiletries
Kristen Prahl / Getty Images

Coordinate your shower curtain with bathroom toiletries for a cohesive design. Matching shades can create a well-curated look.


14. Use Bold Patterns in White Spaces

Well-decorated small bathroom
The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

In a mostly white bathroom, a bright shower curtain can serve as the standout piece. Add complementary wall art to ensure a unified decor scheme.


15. Warm Up Cooler Tiles

orange curtain
TYLER KARU DESIGN + INTERIORS

Cooler-toned tile can feel stark. Soften the space with a shower curtain in warm tones like orange or brown, adding a cozy, textured element to the room.


16. Complement Geometric Features

block curtain
Design by Mindy Gayer / Photo by Vanessa Lentine

If your bathroom has geometric floor tiles, consider a matching striped shower curtain. This helps to harmonize the space and creates a sense of intentional design.


17. Balance with Simple Designs

Black and white bathroom with tiled floor
Design by Mindy Gayer / Photo by Vanessa Lentine

When working with intricate shapes in your bathroom, opt for a simple, solid-colored shower curtain to avoid overwhelming the decor.


18. Add Contrast with White Accents

white shower curtain
Ashley Montomgery Design

Balance patterns with a white shower curtain, which can provide a visual break from more intricate designs like patterned flooring.


19. Elevate with Fringe Details

Neutral bathroom with fringe shower curtain
Ayai Guyot

Incorporate fringe at the bottom of your shower curtain for an elegant touch. This small detail adds refinement and complements statement hardware.


20. Embrace a Green Theme

A shower curtain that uses a lot of houseplant patterns to pay homage to the bathroom's many houseplants
@martinas_cosy_crib / Instagram

If your bathroom features houseplants, choose a shower curtain with plant imagery to enhance the natural, urban-jungle ambiance.


21. Coordinate Towels and Curtains

tub shower combo ideas
Casa Watkins Living

Create harmony by matching your shower curtain to your bathroom towels. This approach offers a cohesive and well-balanced design.


23. Use Subtle Motifs

A small primary bathroom with a bold printed shower curtain
Margaret Wright

A shower curtain with a simple repeating pattern can make a bold impact without overwhelming the space, especially in bathrooms with white or neutral tones.


23. Pair Curtains with Tile

small shower ideas colorful tile
Michelle Berwick Design

If your bathroom has colorful tile, consider a shower curtain that subtly reflects those tones. A touch of matching color creates a cohesive look without overpowering the room.


24. Experiment with Patterns

Remodeled bathroom with geometric floor tile
Michelle Berwick Design / Photo by Larry Arnal24.

Don’t shy away from playful patterns in your bathroom decor. A bold, patterned shower curtain can add character and style, even in smaller spaces.

25. Complement Wood Elements

Small bathroom with small round mirror next to white and tan shower curtain
The Spruce / Almar Creative

If your bathroom features wood accents, choose a shower curtain with similar tones to maintain a cozy and unified aesthetic.


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26. Layer Design Elements

Bathroom with gold accents and striped shower curtain
Studio Duggan

Create a sense of depth by matching various design elements, such as the shower curtain, mirror frame, and curtain rod. This layered approach adds texture and cohesion.

27. Make a Bold Statement

Bathroom with pink clawfoot tub and plant shower curtain
Katrina Carroll

For an eye-catching look, pair a brightly colored tub with a similarly bold shower curtain to create a vibrant, stylish bathroom.

Bathroom Curtain Ideas