Shower Curtain or Shower Screen?
Is a curtain or a screen the perfect partner for your over-bath shower? Here are five good reasons for both bathroom solutions
Lara Sargent
9 March 2015
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
If you don’t have space for a separate shower enclosure and bath, it’s likely you have plumped for a neat and effective over-bath shower. Since shower heads and controls are fully-equipped, good-looking pieces of kit these days, the biggest challenge you’ll probably have to face is whether to go for a shower curtain or shower screen. Some of us might gravitate towards the softer look of a colourful piece of waterproof fabric that can be changed at will, while others might love the no-nonsense efficiency of a sheer pane of glass. To help point you in the right direction, here are five reasons for screens and five for curtains in the big over-bath shower debate.
Shower curtains
1 Soften the surfaces
Great swatches of fabric (waterproofed or backed with a water-resistant liner, of course) can temper the overall aesthetic of a bathroom that’s in danger of becoming too harsh or sterile. This classic, serene scheme, in a harmonious blend of marble, tiles and dove grey paint, becomes just a little more feminine and a lot less clinical thanks to the beautiful, fully draped shower curtain that runs the length of the bath.
Make sure your curtain – or at least the outer fabric section – can be washed at home, so any hint of mildew or staining that might interfere with the elegance can be nipped in the bud.
1 Soften the surfaces
Great swatches of fabric (waterproofed or backed with a water-resistant liner, of course) can temper the overall aesthetic of a bathroom that’s in danger of becoming too harsh or sterile. This classic, serene scheme, in a harmonious blend of marble, tiles and dove grey paint, becomes just a little more feminine and a lot less clinical thanks to the beautiful, fully draped shower curtain that runs the length of the bath.
Make sure your curtain – or at least the outer fabric section – can be washed at home, so any hint of mildew or staining that might interfere with the elegance can be nipped in the bud.
2 Pick out your personality
Simply put, shower curtains can instantly inject a blast of colour, print and personality with the minimum of fuss, expense and outlay. And even better, when you’re tired of the look, the curtain can be replaced with an altogether different style.
Be bold with colour in the bathroom and remember, you don’t have to stick with top-to-toe white for a fresh feel. I love the brave accents of acid-yellow in this bathroom that literally glow against the dotty-print shower curtain in a neutral, earthy hue.
Simply put, shower curtains can instantly inject a blast of colour, print and personality with the minimum of fuss, expense and outlay. And even better, when you’re tired of the look, the curtain can be replaced with an altogether different style.
Be bold with colour in the bathroom and remember, you don’t have to stick with top-to-toe white for a fresh feel. I love the brave accents of acid-yellow in this bathroom that literally glow against the dotty-print shower curtain in a neutral, earthy hue.
3 Rev up a roll-top
Roll-top baths with a shower fitted above can be notoriously difficult to pull off – particularly when it comes to dealing with water spills and splashes. Glass panels are generally a no-no where curves and awkward-shaped tubs are concerned, unless you go for something bespoke, so your best bet is to install a robust, ceiling-mounted rail and finish with a heavy-duty, waterproof shower curtain that can sweep all the way around the inside of the tub.
I love the muted, earthy palette of tobacco, biscuit and putty, which gives this traditional bathroom a classy, timeless look all of its own.
Be inspired by more fabulous freestanding baths
Roll-top baths with a shower fitted above can be notoriously difficult to pull off – particularly when it comes to dealing with water spills and splashes. Glass panels are generally a no-no where curves and awkward-shaped tubs are concerned, unless you go for something bespoke, so your best bet is to install a robust, ceiling-mounted rail and finish with a heavy-duty, waterproof shower curtain that can sweep all the way around the inside of the tub.
I love the muted, earthy palette of tobacco, biscuit and putty, which gives this traditional bathroom a classy, timeless look all of its own.
Be inspired by more fabulous freestanding baths
4 Pretty it up
If I had my way, I’d make over every room with as much flounce and fuss as possible – and that includes the bathroom. So my number one reason for choosing a shower curtain is simple: to prettify your daily ablutions with a frilly little number to rival the cutest boudoir.
Finish off with some ditsy floral print wallpaper and a pair of cute lamps and you might just want to stay put all day.
Explore ways with wallpaper in a cloakroom
If I had my way, I’d make over every room with as much flounce and fuss as possible – and that includes the bathroom. So my number one reason for choosing a shower curtain is simple: to prettify your daily ablutions with a frilly little number to rival the cutest boudoir.
Finish off with some ditsy floral print wallpaper and a pair of cute lamps and you might just want to stay put all day.
Explore ways with wallpaper in a cloakroom
5 Make it modern
Hands up if you think shower curtains are a thumbs down for the modern bathroom? A quick glance at this pared-back, two-tone décor might change your mind, as the simple transparent curtain on chains is as contemporary as it gets.
It’s a chic, barely there look that’s almost as invisible as any glass screen, but with just a teeny hint of shimmer to add another layer of texture to the graphic brown and white mood.
Hands up if you think shower curtains are a thumbs down for the modern bathroom? A quick glance at this pared-back, two-tone décor might change your mind, as the simple transparent curtain on chains is as contemporary as it gets.
It’s a chic, barely there look that’s almost as invisible as any glass screen, but with just a teeny hint of shimmer to add another layer of texture to the graphic brown and white mood.
Shower screens
1 Choose full enclosure
There’s no fear of water escaping from this recessed bath as the sliding doors fully enclose the tub in a neat, no-nonsense fashion.
Sliding panels of glass are also a good option where space is at a premium, as they don’t need to hinge or pivot outwards, eating into valuable floor inches and making fixtures and fittings awkward to use.
1 Choose full enclosure
There’s no fear of water escaping from this recessed bath as the sliding doors fully enclose the tub in a neat, no-nonsense fashion.
Sliding panels of glass are also a good option where space is at a premium, as they don’t need to hinge or pivot outwards, eating into valuable floor inches and making fixtures and fittings awkward to use.
2 Utilise tricky spaces
A bath can slot rather neatly into an unused alcove or nook in an attic conversion, but how to cope with the sloping ceilings if you fancy a shower, too?
Your best bet is to opt for a bespoke shower screen (lots of companies now offer this service), which can accommodate tricky recesses and angles as well as non-standard heights.
You might well pay extra for such a made-to-measure item, but for a neat, splashproof solution, it’s worth its weight in gold.
A bath can slot rather neatly into an unused alcove or nook in an attic conversion, but how to cope with the sloping ceilings if you fancy a shower, too?
Your best bet is to opt for a bespoke shower screen (lots of companies now offer this service), which can accommodate tricky recesses and angles as well as non-standard heights.
You might well pay extra for such a made-to-measure item, but for a neat, splashproof solution, it’s worth its weight in gold.
3 Expand the space
A fixed panel of frameless glass looks the part in any style of bathroom, not least in an all-white, compact scheme, where fuss-free lines and classic materials win out. This is the best option if your bathroom is very compact and a curtain or fussier glass fittings would break up the space and visually shrink your room.
A fixed panel of frameless glass looks the part in any style of bathroom, not least in an all-white, compact scheme, where fuss-free lines and classic materials win out. This is the best option if your bathroom is very compact and a curtain or fussier glass fittings would break up the space and visually shrink your room.
4 Keep it simple
If you have a lot going on in terms of décor in the rest of the bathroom – think coloured tiles, panelled furniture and fancy taps – then perhaps a plain sheet of no-frills glass is the best solution.
Look out for glass that has been finished with a special anti-plaque coating so dirt and limescale don’t accumulate and make it hard to keep clean. It might bump up the overall price of the screen, but it will save you masses of elbow grease.
If you have a lot going on in terms of décor in the rest of the bathroom – think coloured tiles, panelled furniture and fancy taps – then perhaps a plain sheet of no-frills glass is the best solution.
Look out for glass that has been finished with a special anti-plaque coating so dirt and limescale don’t accumulate and make it hard to keep clean. It might bump up the overall price of the screen, but it will save you masses of elbow grease.
5 Fold it away
There isn’t a huge number of access options when it comes to shower curtains: draw to one side to step into the bath and pull right across, from end to end, when the water flow gets going. With shower screens, however, there’s an array of possible configurations, including hinged, sliding and multi-panelled designs that concertina back neatly out of the way.
This bathroom has a larger-than-standard glass screen made of two hinged sections. This makes getting in and out a cinch and the screen folds back out of the way when not in use.
TELL US…
Do you prefer a shower curtain or a shower screen? We’d love to read your thoughts in the Comments below.
There isn’t a huge number of access options when it comes to shower curtains: draw to one side to step into the bath and pull right across, from end to end, when the water flow gets going. With shower screens, however, there’s an array of possible configurations, including hinged, sliding and multi-panelled designs that concertina back neatly out of the way.
This bathroom has a larger-than-standard glass screen made of two hinged sections. This makes getting in and out a cinch and the screen folds back out of the way when not in use.
TELL US…
Do you prefer a shower curtain or a shower screen? We’d love to read your thoughts in the Comments below.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
9 Ways to Totally Reinvent Your Built-in Bath
By Lara Sargent
Refresh your bath with a new panel in wood, mirror or tiles and make your fitted tub the star of the scheme
Full Story
Bathroom Planning
Bathroom Planning: How To Choose an Effective Layout for Your Space
From small cloakrooms to airy bathrooms, choosing the right layout can help you make the most of your space
Full Story
Bathroom Planning
Ask an Expert: What Do I Need to Know When Choosing a Shower Enclosure?
Boost your bathroom and splash out on a new shower enclosure – but which doors, where to position it and what’s best for small spaces?
Full Story
Most Popular
Decorating: 10 Ways to Make the Most of a Side Return Extension
By Laura Wheat
Incorporate that tricky sliver of land and learn how to exploit your new space to make it work for you
Full Story
Feel Good Home
Feel Good Home: 12 Fresh Updates to Get Ready For Spring
Spring is so almost here it’s hard not to break out the garden chairs. Embrace the brighter days in the meantime with these uplifting tips
Full Story
Property
How to Successfully Knock Through in a Period Property
From whether you need an architect to how to preserve period features, three experts explain the process of knocking two rooms into one
Full Story
Most Popular
Decorating: Which Type of Paint Should I Use for Which Job?
By Jo Simmons
Don’t know your eggshell from your emulsion? This guide to the options will help you pick the right paint for your walls, floor and woodwork
Full Story
Kitchen Planning
Kitchen Planning: How to Choose the Perfect Tap
Not sure whether you know your pillar from your monobloc? Check out this guide to the different styles and functions of modern kitchen taps
Full Story
Ask an Expert
Ask An Expert: What Do I Need to Consider When Choosing a New Shower?
Don’t know your deluge head from your digital mixer? Never fear. Check out this expert advice on finding your perfect shower
Full Story
I have scrubbed and bleached many shower screens including curtains, over the years. So when the chance came to renovate a bathroom to my choices, I opted for a complete wet area bathroom and a good shower head! Just wiping down tiles and floor after a good shower is sufficient to stay on top of soap scum and mold. I love it and the kids never fail to exude pleasure and even happy to mop!
Even though I love the look of glass doors, my lifestyle is easier with a curtain. Since we also use the one bathtub in our home to bathe our dogs, we need the full width of opening.
I have shower curtains now and I love being able to wash & spin dry then rehang them with minimal fuss. Love being able to change things a bit too. They’re also easy to see for a more custom look.
But as I get older I’d prefer a shower that doesn’t require a door or curtain because it’d be much easier to clean. Had that once and very much miss it.
Had a shower door in my 3/4 bath and like others it was horrible to keep clean so I removed it. I’d eventually like to redo the shower but have other things on my to do list.