How To Choose A Shower Curtain: Types, Sizes & Buying Guide

Not only do shower curtains perform the important task in our bathrooms of giving us privacy and keeping our floors dry after bathing, but they can be a huge design element as well. Elegant shower curtain ideas are key to design. Accordingly, elegant shower curtains can offer a pop of color, enhance a design theme, and let us quickly change the entire mood of a room in minutes.

Choosing a shower curtain comes down to three decisions:

  1. the right size for your shower,
  2. the material that fits your maintenance preference and design goal,
  3. and whether you need a liner.

When you invest in luxury bath textiles for your home, the shower curtain is easy to treat as an afterthought until, it's the first thing a guest sees when they walk into your bathroom. We have gathered some important tips to help you choose the best shower curtain for your bathroom - including everything you need to know before you start shopping for a new designer shower curtain.

This guide covers everything: material types, sizing, liners, and how to hang a shower curtain so it actually looks intentional.

Quick-Reference: Shower Curtain Buying Guide at a Glance

Standard size: 72" x 72" for most tub/shower combinations

Extra-long size: 72" x 84" for walk-in showers or a floor-length look

Extra-wide size: 108" x 72" for double-wide showers or a gathered look on a standard tub

Best material for a luxury look: 100% cotton, OEKO-TEX® certified

Most low-maintenance material: Microfiber or vinyl (PEVA) — no liner needed

Liner needed? Yes, for cotton, linen, and decorative fabric curtains

Hanging height: Mount the rod 3" above the curtain's top hem; let the curtain fall 1–2" above the floor for a tailored look

Shower Curtain Buying Guide

Before we get to design, let’s discuss some of the basics. When choosing a shower curtain, there are some important things to keep in mind so that you pick the perfect one for your bathroom. You should know the dimensions, style, and fabric type. Here are some tips to help.

Shower Curtain Dimensions

The standard shower curtain size is 72” x 72”, which allows shower curtain lengths to extend all the way down to the floor to cover the bathtub. Custom showers and baths may require you to measure your space to see if a standard size will fit properly. If not, an extra-wide shower curtain may do the trick.

When measuring, please note that for a standard size shower curtain to fit your bath, three additional inches of length are needed to be factored in to account for the height of the curtain rod and shower rings. In addition, your shower curtain should extend at least 12 inches beyond the sides of your shower so that water will not escape from the edges.

What Kind of Shower Curtain is Best?

Cotton shower curtains offer the most elevated look and feel — they drape like tailored fabric and are the material used in most hotel and luxury bath settings, including Peacock Alley's own OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified shower curtains. Cotton requires a separate waterproof liner. Microfiber is the most practical choice: it wicks moisture quickly, resists mold, and needs no liner. Vinyl (PEVA) is the most affordable and lowest-maintenance option, but doesn't achieve the same visual quality as cotton or microfiber.

  • Cotton - A popular choice when it comes to choosing accessories for your bathroom, cotton shower curtains are a true classic. Cotton adds an upscale designer feel to your bathroom and is super easy to care for. Cotton shower curtains are available in many different colors and prints, as well as a variety of styles to fit your decorating preference whether it be casual, modern, classic, or even retro.
  • Decorative – If your bathroom is in need of a new theme or décor, decorative shower curtains are a great choice to inexpensively add a ton of style to your space. Designer decorative curtains are usually made with high-quality fabrics like rayon and silk and also often have hand-stitched decorations or embellishments. These curtains are as useful as they are pretty! Simply pair your beautiful decorative curtains with a water-resistant shower liner for perfect coverage.
  • Vinyl – A popular low-cost and easy to maintain option, vinyl shower curtains come in a wide variety of different prints, colors, patterns, and styles. The vinyl material is a natural water repellent, meaning there are less issues to deal with when it comes to mold and mildew. While not as classy and elegant as cotton or other fabric shower curtains, vinyl curtains are definitely the most affordable and easiest to care for.
  • Hookless Curtains – Perfect for contemporary homes with ceiling-track curtain rods, hookless shower curtains are created with built-in grommets so they can easily slip over your shower curtain rod, with no need for curtain rings. This modern style of shower curtains often have built-in liners and come in unique patterns and colors.
  • Microfiber – Easy to care for and ultra-soft microfiber shower curtains are a great choice for your home. The microfiber works well to wick away moisture and it evaporates quickly, keeping mold and mildew at bay. The weight of microfiber fabric is much heavier than typical lightweight shower curtains, so this makes them especially stable when you have higher water pressure or have a vent in your bathroom that could move the curtains while bathing.
  • Extra-Wide Curtains – These over-sized shower curtains are extremely useful if you have a custom or off shaped shower or bathtub. These wider curtains also work well for hanging shower rods like the ceiling-track type that hangs over the bathtub. These larger curtains also give great coverage around your bathtub to avoid wet floors and bath mats.

Do I Need a Shower Curtain Liner?

While it is not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to use a curtain liner when using certain types of shower curtains in your home. For example, since cotton quickly absorbs moisture, it makes sense to pair your cotton shower curtain with a vinyl or polyester liner to help reduce mold and mildew. Liners also work well with decorative curtains that are not often water-resistant, as well as or other synthetic shower curtain types, including nylon and polyester.

How Should a Shower Curtain Hang?

A shower curtain should hang 1–2 inches above the floor for a tailored look, or touch the floor for a more dramatic, floor-length effect.

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Mount the rod at the right height.

Position the rod 3 inches above the curtain's top hem to account for rings.

Step 2: Choose your ring style.

Brushed brass or matte black rings add a tailored, elevated look over standard plastic hooks.

Step 3: Use a double-rod setup if you have a liner.

One rod for the liner (inside), one for the decorative curtain (outside) — this keeps the look clean and the liner functional.

Step 4: Let it fall correctly.

The curtain should extend at least 6 inches beyond each side of the tub or shower to prevent water from escaping, and hang 1–2 inches above the floor.

Explore Our Other Bedding & Bath Guides

  • Towel Care Guide
  • Pillow Care Guide
  • Sheet Buying Guide

Traditional shower curtains are typically hung via rings that slip through the “button holes” in your designer shower curtain. You can choose rings to match your bathroom’s theme or décor, which will be needed to hang the curtain on the shower rod. Modern décor trends have given us ceiling-track hanging curtain rods, which are used with hookless shower curtains that are made with large built-in grommets, with no need for curtain rings. Simply slide the curtain rod through the grommet holes to hang your designer curtain.

Peacock Alley Has Luxury Shower Curtains for Your Home Bath Sanctuary

Peacock Alley has the perfect luxury shower curtain to help turn your home bath into a personal sanctuary. From luxury shower curtains and bath towels to bath mats and high-quality bathrobes, Peacock Alley has everything you need for the perfect bath experience.

About Peacock Alley Shower Curtains

Every Peacock Alley shower curtain is OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning it's been tested and verified free of harmful substances. Our Dallas workroom has hand-finished luxury linens since 1973 with over five decades of understanding what makes a bathroom feel like a suite, not a stall.

Not only do shower curtains perform the important task in our bathrooms of giving us privacy and keeping our floors dry after bathing, but they can be a huge design element as well. Elegant shower curtain ideas are key to design. Accordingly, elegant shower curtains can offer a pop of color, enhance a design theme, and let us quickly change the entire mood of a room in minutes.

Choosing a shower curtain comes down to three decisions:

  1. the right size for your shower,
  2. the material that fits your maintenance preference and design goal,
  3. and whether you need a liner.

When you invest in luxury bath textiles for your home, the shower curtain is easy to treat as an afterthought until, it's the first thing a guest sees when they walk into your bathroom. We have gathered some important tips to help you choose the best shower curtain for your bathroom - including everything you need to know before you start shopping for a new designer shower curtain.

This guide covers everything: material types, sizing, liners, and how to hang a shower curtain so it actually looks intentional.

Quick-Reference: Shower Curtain Buying Guide at a Glance

Standard size: 72" x 72" for most tub/shower combinations

Extra-long size: 72" x 84" for walk-in showers or a floor-length look

Extra-wide size: 108" x 72" for double-wide showers or a gathered look on a standard tub

Best material for a luxury look: 100% cotton, OEKO-TEX® certified

Most low-maintenance material: Microfiber or vinyl (PEVA) — no liner needed

Liner needed? Yes, for cotton, linen, and decorative fabric curtains

Hanging height: Mount the rod 3" above the curtain's top hem; let the curtain fall 1–2" above the floor for a tailored look

Shower Curtain Buying Guide

Before we get to design, let’s discuss some of the basics. When choosing a shower curtain, there are some important things to keep in mind so that you pick the perfect one for your bathroom. You should know the dimensions, style, and fabric type. Here are some tips to help.

Shower Curtain Dimensions

The standard shower curtain size is 72” x 72”, which allows shower curtain lengths to extend all the way down to the floor to cover the bathtub. Custom showers and baths may require you to measure your space to see if a standard size will fit properly. If not, an extra-wide shower curtain may do the trick.

When measuring, please note that for a standard size shower curtain to fit your bath, three additional inches of length are needed to be factored in to account for the height of the curtain rod and shower rings. In addition, your shower curtain should extend at least 12 inches beyond the sides of your shower so that water will not escape from the edges.

What Kind of Shower Curtain is Best?

Cotton shower curtains offer the most elevated look and feel — they drape like tailored fabric and are the material used in most hotel and luxury bath settings, including Peacock Alley's own OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified shower curtains. Cotton requires a separate waterproof liner. Microfiber is the most practical choice: it wicks moisture quickly, resists mold, and needs no liner. Vinyl (PEVA) is the most affordable and lowest-maintenance option, but doesn't achieve the same visual quality as cotton or microfiber.

  • Cotton - A popular choice when it comes to choosing accessories for your bathroom, cotton shower curtains are a true classic. Cotton adds an upscale designer feel to your bathroom and is super easy to care for. Cotton shower curtains are available in many different colors and prints, as well as a variety of styles to fit your decorating preference whether it be casual, modern, classic, or even retro.
  • Decorative – If your bathroom is in need of a new theme or décor, decorative shower curtains are a great choice to inexpensively add a ton of style to your space. Designer decorative curtains are usually made with high-quality fabrics like rayon and silk and also often have hand-stitched decorations or embellishments. These curtains are as useful as they are pretty! Simply pair your beautiful decorative curtains with a water-resistant shower liner for perfect coverage.
  • Vinyl – A popular low-cost and easy to maintain option, vinyl shower curtains come in a wide variety of different prints, colors, patterns, and styles. The vinyl material is a natural water repellent, meaning there are less issues to deal with when it comes to mold and mildew. While not as classy and elegant as cotton or other fabric shower curtains, vinyl curtains are definitely the most affordable and easiest to care for.
  • Hookless Curtains – Perfect for contemporary homes with ceiling-track curtain rods, hookless shower curtains are created with built-in grommets so they can easily slip over your shower curtain rod, with no need for curtain rings. This modern style of shower curtains often have built-in liners and come in unique patterns and colors.
  • Microfiber – Easy to care for and ultra-soft microfiber shower curtains are a great choice for your home. The microfiber works well to wick away moisture and it evaporates quickly, keeping mold and mildew at bay. The weight of microfiber fabric is much heavier than typical lightweight shower curtains, so this makes them especially stable when you have higher water pressure or have a vent in your bathroom that could move the curtains while bathing.
  • Extra-Wide Curtains – These over-sized shower curtains are extremely useful if you have a custom or off shaped shower or bathtub. These wider curtains also work well for hanging shower rods like the ceiling-track type that hangs over the bathtub. These larger curtains also give great coverage around your bathtub to avoid wet floors and bath mats.

Do I Need a Shower Curtain Liner?

While it is not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to use a curtain liner when using certain types of shower curtains in your home. For example, since cotton quickly absorbs moisture, it makes sense to pair your cotton shower curtain with a vinyl or polyester liner to help reduce mold and mildew. Liners also work well with decorative curtains that are not often water-resistant, as well as or other synthetic shower curtain types, including nylon and polyester.

How Should a Shower Curtain Hang?

A shower curtain should hang 1–2 inches above the floor for a tailored look, or touch the floor for a more dramatic, floor-length effect.

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Mount the rod at the right height.

Position the rod 3 inches above the curtain's top hem to account for rings.

Step 2: Choose your ring style.

Brushed brass or matte black rings add a tailored, elevated look over standard plastic hooks.

Step 3: Use a double-rod setup if you have a liner.

One rod for the liner (inside), one for the decorative curtain (outside) — this keeps the look clean and the liner functional.

Step 4: Let it fall correctly.

The curtain should extend at least 6 inches beyond each side of the tub or shower to prevent water from escaping, and hang 1–2 inches above the floor.

Explore Our Other Bedding & Bath Guides

  • Towel Care Guide
  • Pillow Care Guide
  • Sheet Buying Guide

Traditional shower curtains are typically hung via rings that slip through the “button holes” in your designer shower curtain. You can choose rings to match your bathroom’s theme or décor, which will be needed to hang the curtain on the shower rod. Modern décor trends have given us ceiling-track hanging curtain rods, which are used with hookless shower curtains that are made with large built-in grommets, with no need for curtain rings. Simply slide the curtain rod through the grommet holes to hang your designer curtain.

Peacock Alley Has Luxury Shower Curtains for Your Home Bath Sanctuary

Peacock Alley has the perfect luxury shower curtain to help turn your home bath into a personal sanctuary. From luxury shower curtains and bath towels to bath mats and high-quality bathrobes, Peacock Alley has everything you need for the perfect bath experience.

About Peacock Alley Shower Curtains

Every Peacock Alley shower curtain is OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning it's been tested and verified free of harmful substances. Our Dallas workroom has hand-finished luxury linens since 1973 with over five decades of understanding what makes a bathroom feel like a suite, not a stall.

Not only do shower curtains perform the important task in our bathrooms of giving us privacy and keeping our floors dry after bathing, but they can be a huge design element as well. Elegant shower curtain ideas are key to design. Accordingly, elegant shower curtains can offer a pop of color, enhance a design theme, and let us quickly change the entire mood of a room in minutes.

Choosing a shower curtain comes down to three decisions:

  1. the right size for your shower,
  2. the material that fits your maintenance preference and design goal,
  3. and whether you need a liner.

When you invest in luxury bath textiles for your home, the shower curtain is easy to treat as an afterthought until, it's the first thing a guest sees when they walk into your bathroom. We have gathered some important tips to help you choose the best shower curtain for your bathroom - including everything you need to know before you start shopping for a new designer shower curtain.

This guide covers everything: material types, sizing, liners, and how to hang a shower curtain so it actually looks intentional.

Quick-Reference: Shower Curtain Buying Guide at a Glance

Standard size: 72" x 72" for most tub/shower combinations

Extra-long size: 72" x 84" for walk-in showers or a floor-length look

Extra-wide size: 108" x 72" for double-wide showers or a gathered look on a standard tub

Best material for a luxury look: 100% cotton, OEKO-TEX® certified

Most low-maintenance material: Microfiber or vinyl (PEVA) — no liner needed

Liner needed? Yes, for cotton, linen, and decorative fabric curtains

Hanging height: Mount the rod 3" above the curtain's top hem; let the curtain fall 1–2" above the floor for a tailored look

Shower Curtain Buying Guide

Before we get to design, let’s discuss some of the basics. When choosing a shower curtain, there are some important things to keep in mind so that you pick the perfect one for your bathroom. You should know the dimensions, style, and fabric type. Here are some tips to help.

Shower Curtain Dimensions

The standard shower curtain size is 72” x 72”, which allows shower curtain lengths to extend all the way down to the floor to cover the bathtub. Custom showers and baths may require you to measure your space to see if a standard size will fit properly. If not, an extra-wide shower curtain may do the trick.

When measuring, please note that for a standard size shower curtain to fit your bath, three additional inches of length are needed to be factored in to account for the height of the curtain rod and shower rings. In addition, your shower curtain should extend at least 12 inches beyond the sides of your shower so that water will not escape from the edges.

What Kind of Shower Curtain is Best?

Cotton shower curtains offer the most elevated look and feel — they drape like tailored fabric and are the material used in most hotel and luxury bath settings, including Peacock Alley's own OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified shower curtains. Cotton requires a separate waterproof liner. Microfiber is the most practical choice: it wicks moisture quickly, resists mold, and needs no liner. Vinyl (PEVA) is the most affordable and lowest-maintenance option, but doesn't achieve the same visual quality as cotton or microfiber.

  • Cotton - A popular choice when it comes to choosing accessories for your bathroom, cotton shower curtains are a true classic. Cotton adds an upscale designer feel to your bathroom and is super easy to care for. Cotton shower curtains are available in many different colors and prints, as well as a variety of styles to fit your decorating preference whether it be casual, modern, classic, or even retro.
  • Decorative – If your bathroom is in need of a new theme or décor, decorative shower curtains are a great choice to inexpensively add a ton of style to your space. Designer decorative curtains are usually made with high-quality fabrics like rayon and silk and also often have hand-stitched decorations or embellishments. These curtains are as useful as they are pretty! Simply pair your beautiful decorative curtains with a water-resistant shower liner for perfect coverage.
  • Vinyl – A popular low-cost and easy to maintain option, vinyl shower curtains come in a wide variety of different prints, colors, patterns, and styles. The vinyl material is a natural water repellent, meaning there are less issues to deal with when it comes to mold and mildew. While not as classy and elegant as cotton or other fabric shower curtains, vinyl curtains are definitely the most affordable and easiest to care for.
  • Hookless Curtains – Perfect for contemporary homes with ceiling-track curtain rods, hookless shower curtains are created with built-in grommets so they can easily slip over your shower curtain rod, with no need for curtain rings. This modern style of shower curtains often have built-in liners and come in unique patterns and colors.
  • Microfiber – Easy to care for and ultra-soft microfiber shower curtains are a great choice for your home. The microfiber works well to wick away moisture and it evaporates quickly, keeping mold and mildew at bay. The weight of microfiber fabric is much heavier than typical lightweight shower curtains, so this makes them especially stable when you have higher water pressure or have a vent in your bathroom that could move the curtains while bathing.
  • Extra-Wide Curtains – These over-sized shower curtains are extremely useful if you have a custom or off shaped shower or bathtub. These wider curtains also work well for hanging shower rods like the ceiling-track type that hangs over the bathtub. These larger curtains also give great coverage around your bathtub to avoid wet floors and bath mats.

Do I Need a Shower Curtain Liner?

While it is not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to use a curtain liner when using certain types of shower curtains in your home. For example, since cotton quickly absorbs moisture, it makes sense to pair your cotton shower curtain with a vinyl or polyester liner to help reduce mold and mildew. Liners also work well with decorative curtains that are not often water-resistant, as well as or other synthetic shower curtain types, including nylon and polyester.

How Should a Shower Curtain Hang?

A shower curtain should hang 1–2 inches above the floor for a tailored look, or touch the floor for a more dramatic, floor-length effect.

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Mount the rod at the right height.

Position the rod 3 inches above the curtain's top hem to account for rings.

Step 2: Choose your ring style.

Brushed brass or matte black rings add a tailored, elevated look over standard plastic hooks.

Step 3: Use a double-rod setup if you have a liner.

One rod for the liner (inside), one for the decorative curtain (outside) — this keeps the look clean and the liner functional.

Step 4: Let it fall correctly.

The curtain should extend at least 6 inches beyond each side of the tub or shower to prevent water from escaping, and hang 1–2 inches above the floor.

Explore Our Other Bedding & Bath Guides

  • Towel Care Guide
  • Pillow Care Guide
  • Sheet Buying Guide

Traditional shower curtains are typically hung via rings that slip through the “button holes” in your designer shower curtain. You can choose rings to match your bathroom’s theme or décor, which will be needed to hang the curtain on the shower rod. Modern décor trends have given us ceiling-track hanging curtain rods, which are used with hookless shower curtains that are made with large built-in grommets, with no need for curtain rings. Simply slide the curtain rod through the grommet holes to hang your designer curtain.

Peacock Alley Has Luxury Shower Curtains for Your Home Bath Sanctuary

Peacock Alley has the perfect luxury shower curtain to help turn your home bath into a personal sanctuary. From luxury shower curtains and bath towels to bath mats and high-quality bathrobes, Peacock Alley has everything you need for the perfect bath experience.

About Peacock Alley Shower Curtains

Every Peacock Alley shower curtain is OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning it's been tested and verified free of harmful substances. Our Dallas workroom has hand-finished luxury linens since 1973 with over five decades of understanding what makes a bathroom feel like a suite, not a stall.

Explore our Other Bedding & Bath Guides

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