For many, the bathroom is not just a place to take a shower or bath, it is a small island in the apartment in which you can relax after a busy day at work, immerse yourself in pleasant thoughts, and relax your soul and body. Therefore, it is quite understandable to want to create the most comfortable conditions and a light, relaxing atmosphere there.
A curtain for the bathroom is not only a practical accessory that will help avoid stains on the floor, the appearance of dampness and fungus, but also a kind of curtain that will “isolate” you from the outside world, allowing you to fully enjoy time alone with yourself. It can be a wonderful decorative accessory for your bathroom, while protecting it from splashes and stains.
Choosing curtains
A wide range in different price categories allows you to choose a curtain that will fit best into the interior of your bathroom, fit in size and will perfectly perform its protective functions without hurting your pocket. As a rule, all these options can be divided into two main groups depending on their texture: soft and hard.
The soft category includes fabric, vinyl and polyethylene curtains; hard screens are represented by plastic and glass models. A detailed consideration of each option based on their advantages and disadvantages will help you choose the optimal curtain.
Decorative partition gives a feeling of comfort and privacy
Division into types and types
Bath curtains can be divided into two types:
- Soft bath curtains are made of fabric, vinyl, and polyester. Each of these curtains for the bathtub will essentially fit into the shower stall. It is best to choose the right product from a variety of options, fortunately this is now possible - the market has every imaginable color palette, a variety of textures, any size, reasonable cost and ease of installation;
- Rigid curtains are made of glass or plastic. They are distinguished by reliability in use; absolute tightness does not allow water to penetrate outside the shower stall. In addition, such accessories are easy to maintain.
Rigid bath curtains open in different ways, and on this basis they are divided into the following types:
- swing doors open according to the same rule as entrance doors;
- sliding or “compartment” ones move in one or opposite directions and are made in a solid or double-leaf variation;
- folding or “accordion” when folded are similar to the bellows of a musical instrument.
Soft curtains
For a long time now, soft curtains have taken their place of honor in almost every apartment. This is easily explained by their diversity, attractive cost and practicality. You can choose such curtains of any size you need, which will fit perfectly into your bathroom. The length of such curtains can reach the side of the bathtub, go beyond it and even go down to the floor, depending on the height of the room. Original prints, patterns and landscapes will be able to lift the spirits of all apartment dwellers every day - from young to old.
Curtains made of polyethylene
Due to their affordable price and practicality, polyethylene curtains are very popular today. Choosing the right polyethylene option is easy, thanks to the rich variety of colors and patterns. Among the advantages of polyethylene models are the following:
- affordable cost allows you to change them more often
- a huge range of different sizes and colors for adults and children
- ease of use
However, this model has a number of disadvantages:
- It is quite difficult to remove stains from a polyethylene surface
- Fungus and mold quickly form
- toxicity
- fade quickly, lose color, wear out
To summarize, we can say that a considerable list of shortcomings does not detract from their one significant advantage - low price, which significantly increases the hygiene of their use, due to the possibility of their periodic replacement.
The original colors of the screen will give your bathing a special mood
Fabric curtains
Water-repellent curtains made of fabric are not as cheap as ordinary polyethylene products. They are impregnated with special agents that make the textiles for making screens waterproof. Many people prefer this option, thanks to just a few significant advantages:
- easy to wash, which significantly extends the life of such a curtain
- wide variety of colors and models
- this curtain looks very stylish and original
This screen is rightfully considered one of the best and will be a wonderful decoration for spacious bathrooms, as it looks most harmonious in a large room.
Flaws:
- Only models made of natural fabrics without hydrophobic impregnation (cotton, linen) have disadvantages, which must be washed and dried after each use.
The perfect combination of style and comfort
Vinyl curtains
This model is also quite common and popular. Curtains made of polyvinyl chloride are somewhat superior to polyethylene curtains not only in price, but also in quality. Among their undeniable advantages are the following:
- high strength and wear resistance
- convenience and ease of care
- automatic wash (at 40˚C without spin)
- wide range of price categories
- wide selection of colors and patterns
- stains can be removed using detergents
- long period of use
It is difficult to highlight the disadvantages of vinyl screens, since with proper care they will serve you faithfully for quite a long time.
Vinyl screens are perfect for lovers of practicality
PVC shower curtains
Polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC or PVC) is an ordinary plastic that is a transparent oilcloth (dyes can also be added and a pattern applied). This is the most economical option for bathroom curtain material, which cannot be washed or cleaned, and over time, white calcium stains form on them. However, the combination of price and quality of such curtains is reasonable and they are quite suitable for:
- shower space in which pets are washed;
- country shower;
- in rare cases as an element of interior decor.
To choose a good PVC curtain, remember one thing: the denser it is, the better. It is worth giving preference to products whose texture resembles the thick covering material used in greenhouses. A thin PVC curtain will often clump and stick to your body while showering.
PVC bathroom curtains in the online store
Rigid curtains
Rigid curtains can instantly turn your ordinary, unremarkable bathtub into an original shower stall. It is necessary to choose such screens based on the size of your bathroom and other important details. Such partitions will conveniently and functionally outline the shower area and create a special character for your apartment. There are models of various sizes, shapes and textures, from various materials with various types of fastening.
Curtains made of plastic
Such curtains became most common in the era of popularity of shower cabins. From a functionality point of view, they do not differ significantly from glass partitions, but their cost is their absolute advantage over the latter.
- The range is replete with a variety of colors and shades
- if desired, such partitions can be decorated with all sorts of patterns or an original film coating can be applied to their surface
- These partitions are perfect for owners of a bathroom of non-standard sizes, thanks to the sufficient flexibility and pliability of the plastic
- Also, such partitions are quite easy to fix, thanks to their lightness
However, this is not without its drawbacks:
- As the plastic wears out, it acquires a cloudy yellowish color and becomes covered with stains that cannot be washed off.
- When washing, it is quite easy to damage the surface with cleaning agents, so it is recommended to use only liquid detergent
- low wear resistance of plastic provokes the appearance of cracks and scratches
Of course, with regular gentle care, even such fragile partitions can serve you for quite a long time.
A plastic partition will create a feeling of intimacy and comfort
Glass curtains
Glass screens are the most common type of bathroom partitions due to their stylish appearance and durability. An anti-plague coating, which is applied to the surface of the glass, greatly facilitates its cleaning, and its water-repellent properties prevent the appearance of stains and streaks. The advantages of such screens are obvious:
- glass does not wear out and does not change color over time
- does not become dirty thanks to the protective surface
- does not require special care, easy to clean
- not susceptible to scratches and cracks
- durable, and even if it breaks it will not cause serious injuries, since it does not break into sharp fragments
However, it also has weaknesses:
- high price
- difficult to adjust to non-standard sizes (for example, round shape)
- creates a fairly weighty structure
- may break
Glass models, like the previous ones, are not lacking in variety; they come in different heights, shapes, colors, transparent, tinted, matte, with all sorts of graphic patterns. This allows you to choose a model that best suits your height and design.
Glass models are timeless classics of the genre
Rigid screens can be of various shapes: they can consist of one or several sections, they can move away or swing open, they can be rounded or angular.
Having considered the most common types of screens for bathrooms, we can confidently say that their choice depends entirely on your expectations and the overall interior design of the bathroom. The price, functional and style variety of products allows you to choose exactly the model you need.
Criteria for a successful purchase
To ensure that the question of repurchasing a bath curtain does not occupy your thoughts for many years, you should adhere to several criteria during the purchasing process.
Criterion 1. Weight chain
Make sure that the accessory you purchase has a special weighting chain at the bottom (it can be replaced by several small magnets). It is thanks to this that the curtain will be able to straighten out under its own weight, and if water gets on it, it will remain motionless.
You can find many great options (the photo is just one of a million examples)
Criterion 2. Treatment and double seams
To prevent the ends of the curtain from looking sloppy and worn out over the years, pay attention to the presence of a double seam on the top edge of the curtain and the presence of high-quality processing along all edges of the product.
While inspecting the top of the curtain, also examine the holes for the fastening rings. They must have reinforced edging.
Criterion 3. Coverage
I don’t think it’s worth saying why bath curtains need a water-repellent base? This is all clear.
But I strongly recommend checking the product for antibacterial coating. This will be written on the product packaging.
Cats are cats, but don’t forget about the water-repellent and antibacterial coating
Criterion 4. Smell
In a warm and humid room (that is, in the bathroom), any even slightly unpleasant odor can become much more pungent and intrusive. To avoid such an annoying embarrassment, check that the curtain you are buying does not have a technical scent.
I think this instruction will make it easier for you to choose a shower accessory and help you not regret your purchase in the future.
Curtain fastening
Like regular curtains, bathroom screens are mounted on special cornices, the height of which depends on the height of the bathroom and the desired length of the screen. The most popular type of fastening is rings; it is quite practical and convenient. However, today there are many alternative options. For example, fastenings with eyelets look very stylish, and fastenings with Velcro allow you to adjust the length of the curtain depending on the height of the bathroom. A curtain with buttons or garters looks very original and creates a unique home comfort.
The frame for rigid models is made of more durable materials. As a rule, this is a metal, wooden or plastic frame into which the partition itself is inserted. Frameless screens are made from a fairly durable and non-flexible material.
The length and shape of the partition completely depends on the size of the room; hinged screens will fit perfectly into larger rooms, and retractable screens are suitable for a standard, medium-sized bathroom.
The choice of curtain fastening also depends on the overall interior composition
When choosing a screen, rely on your aesthetic feelings, but also do not forget about the practicality and functionality of the product you have chosen. By choosing a curtain of suitable length and shape, which is easy to use and has a pleasant appearance, you will never regret your purchase.
How to choose a bathroom curtain size
Before purchasing a bath curtain, you need to take measurements in the room:
- Width from wall to wall above the bathtub.
- Mounting height of the cornice (if any).
- If you select a curtain for a shower tray, then its total length is measured.
To completely cover the shower area, you need to choose a curtain 20 cm wider on both sides. If there is no cornice, you can choose a canvas of any height, but if you already have a cornice and moving it is problematic, you will have to take into account the available data.
Selecting decor
To ensure that your curtains are not just an ordinary practical accessory, but become a real center of attention in the entire room, take the time to choose their colors. Take into account a few nuances:
- Many people try to choose material for curtains that matches the tiles. I find it boring and ordinary, since the curtains simply blend into the surroundings.
Curtains that match the walls simply get lost in the overall decor
- If you prefer a marine theme, choose an accessory with images of lush landscapes, bright tropical fish, or other things.
- For a delicate and romantic decor, light-colored materials decorated with small openwork patterns are suitable. Some even buy curtains with flounces and lambrequins.
- In a room decorated in green and blue tones, images of romantic landscapes would be appropriate. This picture before your eyes is very calming and helps you fully enjoy the water procedures.
Don’t be afraid to choose bright and original drawings
- For a high-tech room, it is better to purchase steel-colored curtains with bright geometric patterns on them.
- In Western sitcoms you can often find quite interesting options for shower curtains. They contain some useful information, be it the periodic table or a world map. Why don't you try something similar?
