Are you tired of the same old shower curtains in your bathroom?
The other day my friend Mary called if I was available to help her rearrange her house after an extensive renovation project. I thought it would be fun, so I joined her at the store to shop for bathroom accessories. We ended up for hours in the curtain section, figuring out if the sizes we selected were correct for the shower.
That's when I thought, "Maybe we should have measured first." But, we ended up with the standard size.
Now, are you wondering what the standard size is? That’s what this article is for. Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and today I decided to share a quick guide about shower curtains. One of the questions I'm going to answer is, "What are the standard shower curtain sizes?"
Without further ado, let's get started.
Standard Curtain Size
First of all, when we talk about standard-size curtains, we are measuring against standard tubs and showers. Tubs are generally 60 inches, and so are most shower spaces. But that doesn't equate to having 60-inch curtains.
The companies keep a buffer of 10 or 12 inches so that the curtain is not too snug when closed. In fact, some slight folds are preferred to cover the entire shower section with some fabric to spare.
That is why you will find the standard size for shower curtains is somewhere between 70 to 72 inches in height and width.
The 3 standard sizes are:
- 70" x 70"
- 70" x 72"
- 72" x 72"
If you have a walk-in shower, I suggest getting a longer shower curtain which will measure around 78 inches in length.
How To Measure For A Shower Curtain
I used this method recently when Mary and I were looking for the curtains, and it turned out pretty accurate! So, follow these steps too if you don't want to end up with the wrong curtain size.
1. Measure Width
Before shopping, you need to start measuring at home to determine which size of curtain will be appropriate for your bathroom. Start by measuring the width of the shower in inches. Any old carpenter's measuring tape will do. Now note the measurement in inches from the wall to wall.
Next, add 12 inches to this number. As I mentioned before, we want the curtain to move freely and have folds even when it is completely closed.
2. Determine Height
Now it's time to measure the height of the shower. Again, use the tape measure to determine the distance between the rod and the floor. There isn't any rule as to how long the length should be, so that is entirely up to you to decide.
But, I think 1 or 2 inches just above the floor is the sweet spot. It covers the section and doesn't drag on the floor either. After all, you don't want to trip and fall in the shower tangled in the curtains!
3. Place For Rod
This step is for those of you who have not yet placed rods for your shower curtains. If you haven't yet, you have to find the ideal length for the rod placement. Decide beforehand if you want the rod outside or inside the shower.
Types Of Curtains
Your selection cannot be limited just to shape and size, can it? With numerous materials and patterns available, there is no shortage of design options to choose from. Here are a few options which I think you should consider before purchasing.
1. Hookless Shower Curtains
One of my favorite styles of shower curtains is the hookless one. I like this style because I don't have to think about the rings and can directly slide the curtain in the rod. The overall look is also better, in my opinion.
2. Vinyl Shower Curtains
You could consider vinyl shower curtains if you are looking for a waterproof and low maintenance option. These curtains are available in opaque and transparent paneling, so you can choose one that suits your preference.
3. Fancy Shower Curtains
Shower curtains don't have to be drab or just white; they are available in a bunch of different fabrics and patterns. You get material like linen or faux silk with different embellishments and pretty prints. The options are endless, so select one which goes with the rest of the bathroom.
- Qualified: High quality PEVA shower curtain liner is a good choice for the person who requires light weight liner for bathtub.Convenient fold, simple and low cost, the liner plays a function to better hold back water in a shower.
- Water Proof: The liner has the advantage of plastic material properties like PVC free. It performs water proof well, allowing form water beads on the surface and easy to clean with a damp cloth
- Encased magnets: Comes with 3 magnets at the bottom, especially good for cast/iron bathtub, in respect that it's easy to stick to the tub and keep the liner from blowing or clinging to body
- Premium PEVA: 3 magnets at bottom & 12 metal grommet holes, it can be used as a stand-alone shower curtain or shower liner
- Waterproof: The plastic shower curtain is quick to dry, keeps the water into your tub and no soaking compared to fabric liners, great inside shower liner to protect your outer curtain
- Lasting Durability: This clear shower curtain liner is sturdy with rustproof metal grommets and reinforced header, can last a long time
How To Select A Shower Curtain
1. Fabric
One of the most important things to consider is the fabric of the curtain. If you want a softer, flowy look to the bathroom, you can select a thinner cotton fabric.
But in general, they come in various materials like polyester and micro blend too. Vinyl options are low-cost and easy to maintain; they will also blend into any type of background if you purchase a neutral color.
2. Solids, Prints, Or Clear?
Solid colors do look good if you are going for a subtle look and want the curtains to blend in the background. For bolder looks, you can select a print or patterned look to bring attention to the curtain.
3. Design
Lastly, you can finalize the shower curtain design after selecting the correct size, shape, fabric, and pattern. It is enough to keep these points in mind, and this is pretty much all you need to get suitable curtains for your bathroom.
Final Words
The good thing is you don’t have to buy an exact fitting shower curtain.Â
A few inches more will definitely not hurt, so this isn’t something to worry about. Yes, some people like my friend Mary absolutely cannot tolerate a few inches more or less. However, I am still of the opinion that it isn’t a big deal.
That being said, I have one pet peeve when it comes to shower curtains. I simply cannot stand when the curtain drags low on the floor and makes swishing sounds whenever I open or shut them. Apart from that, I love hookless shower curtains and buy them all the time.
I hope this short guide helped answer your questions, and I’ll see you in the next one, bye!