Years ago, bathrooms used to be decorated and equipped strictly with functionality in mind. Luckily, that isn’t the case any more. Nowadays, most modern bathrooms are designed in a way that they reflect a person’s interests, personality and individual style, no matter how big or small that space is. One decor element that can make or break the entire bathroom design is the window covering.
Bathroom windows are usually challenging to cover. This is mainly due to their odd shapes and individual privacy needs. Thanks to the various easy customization options that can be found on the market today, finding the right window covering for your bathroom is easy. If you are looking for new, modern and stylish ways to cover your bathroom windows, here are a few options for you to consider.
Curtains
Many think that curtains aren’t suitable for bathrooms because humidity can cause mold. However, with the right fabrics, it is possible to have the soft texture of curtains in the bathroom without a lot of cleaning and maintenance. Some of the fabrics to consider include lace, voile and muslin. They are light enough to dry fast, hold their shape in high humidity and are easy to take down and wash. When it comes to style, cafe curtains are a great option for homeowners who don’t like blinds but want a low-maintenance bathroom window treatment that doesn’t cover the entire window. These pieces cover the bottom of the window for privacy but leave the top open to let in light. Ornate or heavy fabrics aren’t a good choice for bathroom curtains because they tend to hold moisture and dust, causing mould and mildew to form.
Shutters
Shutters offer great light and privacy control. Twisting the tilt bar (a long, stick-like apparatus) moves the slats up and down, changing the angle at which light enters. Easy to operate and maintain, shutters provide a warm yet clean look to bathroom windows. When it comes to material, PVC plantation shutters are ideal as they are resistant to humidity and moisture. Available in different colours, these bathroom window coverings can add instant style and sophistication to your space.
Blinds
Available in a range of materials, bathroom blinds provide privacy when closed and allow light in when opened. When it comes to which blinds are best for bathrooms, aluminium, vinyl and PVC Venetian blinds are good options to consider as they are resistant to moisture and easy to clean. However, if used alone, they can make the room feel cold. Roman blinds offer the soft texture of fabric with the flexibility and convenience of Venetian blinds. They fold up flat to allow some light into the bathroom but can be left down when privacy is required. Wood blinds aren’t a good option for a bathroom because they may warp, fade or crack in a high-humidity environment. Faux wood blinds made from PVC look and feel like wood but won’t fade or warp.
Once you’ve chosen the best style and material for your bathroom window coverings, it will be time to consider colour. If you are trying to create a calm and peaceful look for your space, go for light coloured window treatments with minimal patterns instead of very dark shades. Curtains, shutters or blinds in a neutral tone without any obvious pattern will go with most wall and accessory colours. And if you are someone who likes changing the look of your bathroom every couple of years, a neutral colour window treatment will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
Also, keep in mind that having natural light in your bathroom is very important, especially for tricky tasks such as shaving or applying makeup. So, whichever window covering you choose, it should be designed in a way so that it can be pulled back completely to allow natural light to enter the room and lowered when some privacy is needed. Curtains, shutters and blinds that are very bulky or complicated to raise or lower may cause more trouble than they are worth. So whatever you choose should be easy to manipulate. For safety reasons, the cords of the blinds should be kept out of the reach of small children as they can be a strangulation risk.
And last but not least, fitting. The main point of having a window covering in your bathroom is to provide privacy, which means it is essential that your window treatment covers the window perfectly. So, make sure to measure the size of your window. Curtains which are a couple of centimetres longer are better than curtains that are a bit shorter. Blinds and shutters can be made to fit perfectly, but if you decide to go with off the shelf options, you may have to settle for the best one available. If you have a window that tilts inwards, consider how to position your curtains or blinds so that you can still open the window and pull the blinds if needed.
