17 Best Shower Curtains for Cohesive Bathroom Design (2025)

The best shower curtains take up a significant amount of visual real estate in your bathroom, meaning they can define the entire style of the space. Finding one that marries style and functionality can quickly take the space from dingy to spa-like. Going for a minimalist look? Amp up neutral hues by playing with texture, like a waffle weave or sleek vinyl shower curtain. If bright colors are more your vibe, opt for a vibrant shower curtain to serve as the focal point for your bathroom.

No matter what way your interior design style leans, a high-quality shower curtain is a must. After all, feeling refreshed after a shower isn’t quite as relaxing if you’re worried about mildew buildup or water dripping everywhere. Between fabric, plastic, and water-resistant picks, we’ve collected a lineup of effective shower curtains that are also a breezy way to revamp your bathroom decor.

Our top picks for the best shower curtains:

Best shower curtains, overall

Best for minimalists

Linen makes any room feel a little more natural and beachy, but it can also get pricey. Quince’s lower-priced (but still high-quality) linen shower curtain is substantial and prewashed for optimal softness. A pure white linen keeps your bathroom looking tidy and spa-like and can counter the style impact of a splashy bathmat. One note from our contributor Stewart Savin is that the package will come wrinkled, and you’ll need a proper steamer to get those out—unfortunately shower steam doesn’t quite do the trick.

Best coastal style

Coastal and cozy, this striped shower curtain from Urban Outfitters ties your bathroom’s whole look together with a bit of at-sea influence. Digital features editor Kate McLaughlin was particularly impressed with the feel of the curtain, made from 100% Oeko-Tex certified cotton, calling it “lightweight and breathable.” She added that “it was extremely easy to hang up, and added a nice soft texture to a room that’s otherwise full of hard materials like tile, acrylic, and stainless steel.” McLaughlin also mentioned it came out of the wash good as new “(a quality our previous PVC curtain didn’t possess).”

Best desert style

An eco-friendly and fair trade pick handwoven in India, this 100% cotton shower curtain has hand-stitched detailing in the style of “fil coupé”—each stitch is finely woven into the curtain with small, fringed edges for additional personality and a boho look. Commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher—who confesses to having a fringe obsession—says “you wouldn’t think a fringe detail would be welcome in the bathroom where it could attract moisture and mold, but the hand-stitched pattern on this shower curtain provides just enough textured interest to satisfy my craving.” She also loves that the off-white cotton fabric has an airy look, but enough opacity to provide the necessary privacy. “My only issue with this curtain is that the hand-stitched element means it has a more laborious care process than other options you’re able to toss into the washing machine,” but worth it to shower behind such a stylish fabric.

Best pattern

Commerce writer Julia Harrison, a self-proclaimed “textile freak,” told us that she thinks Autumn Sonata is “doing some of the most interesting pattern work with at-home basics right now.” Drawing inspiration from its own archives, Autumn Sonata’s prints pull from ancient pieces across the world—this particular shower curtain is reminiscent of late 19th-century Japanese paper impressions inspired by Indian “sarasa” textiles. This curtain is made from 100% cotton, treated for mildew resistance and water repellency resulting in “a piece that feels heirloom-like and ancient, just hanging unassumingly in your bathroom. It feels royal to have it,” says Harrison.

Best antique look

Created in collaboration with lifestyle brand Rhode, this vintage-inspired cotton shower curtain from West Elm provides both color and texture with its thistle print and subtle ruffle. The built-in buttonholes also make it a breeze to attach with a set of shower hooks. Senior digital editor Zoë Sessums says every piece in the collection “hits that perfect note of British country cottage. There is whimsy, there is color, there are vintage inspirations—and this floral shower curtain lets you live out all those feelings.” Sessums also mentions the ease of taking this style on and off her shower curtain hooks, making it especially easy to throw in the wash.

Most versatile

This waffle weave shower curtain feels substantial and adds texture while still sticking to neutral tones. Commerce director Rachel Fletcher calls it her “Tried and true, perfectly perfect, classic white shower curtain.” It’s available in both white and a very light gray, both of which would make a space feel open and airy. Plus, Boll & Branch makes some of the best bath towels we’ve come across, so you can outfit your whole space in one go. And if you’re looking to keep your curtain looking fresh, follow this tip from Fletcher: “I pair it with a washable liner and bleach every few months to keep it looking good as new.”

Best for maximalists

Create a translucent accent wall of sorts with this water-resistant Quiet Town pick that lends a burst of color to your bathroom. It can be used by itself or as a shower liner if you want more privacy with an opaque shower curtain. “I was hesitant about the aesthetics of a plastic shower curtain, but I actually love the fact that it’s transparent,” says commerce writer Julia Harrison, “It makes our teeny tiny bathroom feel bigger, and it lets in light so I don’t feel like I’m showering in a dark cave.”

More AD-approved shower curtains

Toile prints are always in fashion—and the meadow-like pattern of this shower curtain brings a tranquil detail to your indoor spa. Available in a wide color palette, it’s easily customizable to your tile backsplash or bath towels.

Patchwork prints, especially done up in watercolor hues, are a refreshing way to dial up the saturation in the bathroom without settling on any one solid hue. This polyester shower curtain from Etsy embodies a Japanese boro vibe, and it’s also fast-drying and backed by several five-star reviews.

Take a note from Shea McGee’s serene bath scheme by incorporating more neutrals into your space. Coquette but not over-the-top, the beige-striped decorative bows lining the top hem give a whimsical detail to a plain white shower curtain.

Mirroring their best-selling bath towels, Brooklinen’s shower curtain features a waffle weave. This texture makes for a fast-drying, lightweight, and durable fabric that will last shower after shower (particularly if you pair it with a shower liner).

If your aesthetic aligns with farmhouse or bohemian styles, this linen shower curtain will bring the laidback vibe you’re looking for in 27 colors. This could be a great contender for a serene monochrome bathroom look, or it could happily play second fiddle to a bold striped bath mat.

Through a bold shower curtain, you can designate the space as an interior that expresses your style (instead of retreating into a white-washed space). This patchwork curtain, inspired by the Korean art of Bojagi, resembles a quilted textile for your shower, putting a crafty spin on an underrated area of your home.

The scalloped edges on this curtain invoke a nautical style, and who wouldn’t want their shower to feel as peaceful as lounging by the ocean? The contrast stitching highlights the scalloped detail in four available colors reminiscent of the sea, sky, and sand.

Subdued stripes? Yes, please. This Ferm Livng option will make your bathroom look a little more buttoned-up and even comes with a water-repellant backing so it can live in your tub for years before getting completely slimed up with mildew.

Available in 11 different colors, this peekaboo curtain filters light through a mesh top while the opaque bottom ensures coverage. The design comes with a removable plastic liner that can easily be replaced when needed and ensures your bathroom floors stay dry.

How to care for a shower curtain

We’re no strangers to the mildew that relentlessly accumulates on the fringe of our shower curtains, no matter how careful we are with cracking the window or turning on the exhaust fan. Daily use and humid temperatures are bound to bring bacteria (especially if you also enjoy a good steam shower). We recommend, of course, a plastic liner to keep the fabric from getting soaked and drawing your curtain all the way closed after a shower so it can air out as effectively as possible. We also suggest a monthly cleaning of your shower curtain. For machine washable curtains, it’s as easy as loading it in with your other linens, though more temperamental designs may require a wipe-down and a spot-clean. And we always recommend a hang dry for shower curtains, as they can get wrinkled, bundled, and worn out in the dryer. If the mildew stains are super pesky, try a mix of Borax and lemon juice and apply to your curtain before washing.

Can I use a regular curtain as a shower curtain?

While you can use a regular curtain as a shower curtain, we wouldn’t recommend it as many shower curtains are treated for mildew resistance and water repellency. At the very least, if using a regular curtain, you’d need a shower liner or even interior plastic shower curtain to keep mold at bay for as long as possible (though without the mildew treatment, it’s more a matter of when rather than if).