Creative Ways to Hang Shower Curtains: 4 Shower Curtain Ideas

A bathroom shower curtain is a form of drapery that serves as a privacy shield for the shower or tub area. Pair a cloth shower curtain with a mildew-resistant shower curtain liner to protect your bathroom floors and drywall from excess moisture, or utilize a plastic shower curtain for a fraction of the cost.

Beyond a curtain’s functionality, you might consider creative ways to hang shower curtains that enhance your bathroom décor or shower area’s interior design motif. The perfect shower curtain can be the finishing touch to a DIY shower remodel or a way to change your bathroom’s aesthetic on a seasonal basis.

A new shower curtain can complete your bathroom design. Here are four DIY projects that will result in a creative shower curtain arrangement.

1. 1. Hang the shower curtain from the ceiling. Maximize the functionality and appearance of an extra-long shower curtain by hanging it from the ceiling. A long white shower curtain, for example, will make a small, cramped bathroom layout appear larger. Use velcro command hooks to attach the curtain material to the ceiling without the risk of damaging the paint or drywall.
2. 2. Install tiebacks on one side of the shower. To frame a clawfoot tub or a shower door enclosure, install tiebacks. This provides you with the option of keeping the curtains out of the way when not in use. Additionally, you can use tiebacks to create ruffles in a fabric shower curtain or as a visual component to accompany a curtain with a top valance.
3. 3. Use recycled materials to attach your curtain to the rod. Opt for materials you find around the house instead of typical shower hooks or rings. Use old ribbon or leather cordage to attach your curtain to the rod. Follow your bathroom’s current color scheme by choosing materials that match your towels and bathmat—this will provide your bathroom décor with a uniform appearance.
4. 4. Utilize alternative shower rod materials. Choose materials that enhance your curtain and match your existing home décor motif. For instance, replace a frosted-glass shower enclosure with industrial pipes from which you can suspend your curtain to change your bathroom aesthetic. Alternatively, choose a bamboo shower rod for more of a beach vibe or boho shower curtain design.

Follow this simple step-by-step tutorial to hang a curtain rod in your shower:

• Measure the curtain. Like most DIY home improvement projects, the first step in hanging a shower curtain rod is planning and collecting information. The standard shower curtain size is a six-foot square, although you might have a custom shower in your house that requires a different curtain size. Use a tape measure to confirm the dimensions of your curtain and rod length. Note you can adjust tension rod designs to fit inside the bathtub or shower space.
• Analyze your shower niche. Each shower wall material will require different tools and techniques to drill holes for curtain rod installation. Depending on the construction of your shower or tub niche, you might need to install wall anchors to distribute the weight of your shower curtain. Use specialty drill bits if you plan to drill into shower wall tile.
• Plan your hardware placement. Some manufacturers produce shower frames with fixed rods, flanges, or rod pockets. These designs accommodate easy curtain rod installation. Otherwise, you can secure mounted rods into a framing stud or drywall anchors. Use a stud finder to lay out the locations of your screw holes and predrill holes with a slightly smaller drill bit. Install the hardware and fasteners until you achieve a firm hold between the mount and the wall. You should be able to loosen your screws with a handheld screwdriver. Overtightening can damage your mounting hardware or the surface of your bathroom walls.
• Hang your rod and shower curtain. If your shower curtain has grommets, pull one end of the rod through the material until you can stretch it evenly to the opposite side. Manufacturers produce curtains with these small holes near the top to avoid using shower curtain rings. If your shower curtain holes are too small to accommodate a shower rod, you must attach the curtain with hooks. Affix shower curtain hooks to the rod and lift the curtain to hang it.

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