Veronica - Author
These shower curtain alternatives showcase the different types of doors, enclosures, DIY specialized curtains, and shades to use instead of standard shower curtains.
The good news is that these are far from your only option to finish off your shower. There are a number of alternatives to a classic shower curtain that you can use with great results.
Glass Sliding Shower Doors
When you’re trying to get a little more privacy, glass might not sound like the way to go. Luckily, there is a way to have a sliding glass shower door without leaving yourself totally visible while you bathe.
If this is the case, textured or frosted glass is a great way to keep the appeal of glass without sacrificing privacy. To keep your glass looking like new, you’ll need to make sure you commit to regularly cleaning your shower door to prevent noticeable buildup.
Hinged Shower Door
These are a great way to offer privacy while giving your bathroom a one-of-a-kind appearance. Plus, they’re one of the easier options when it comes to the installation process.
Of course, this comes with a major downside when it comes to space. If you have a smaller bathroom, a swinging door is likely to take up a lot of space when it’s open but it can add an elegant touch to a larger bathroom.
Pony Wall With Glass Enclosure
A shower pony wall is another way to describe a half-wall. You can use these as a more permanent solution to a shower curtain. Given that these are a half-wall, it’s not going to help keep water in the shower very much on its own.
To create a full enclosure, you’ll want to use a glass partition to cover the rest of the area you want to be covered. These are often well-paired with a hinged glass door to fully close the shower off but you could also install one as a partition for an open-concept shower.
Pivot Door
A pivot door opens the way that many doors do. Instead of sliding out of the way, these doors move on a fixed hinge. Oftentimes, this differs from a hinged door since pivot doors rotate on a fixed point
This is because of hinges mounted to the top and bottom rather than a set of hinges down the side of the door. These are more common with walk-in showers as they’re not always possible to install with tubs.
These are most often made out of glass or plastic and you have a few options. If you want something clear, that’s a popular choice. Alternatively, if you want a little more privacy, a textured finish is more popular than using a solid-colored door.
There are a few downsides to this. The first is that they’re a more expensive model to install, particularly if you don’t already have a pivot door. In addition, you’ll need to clean this door regularly to keep its appearance especially if you opt for a glass door.
Doorless Shower
To account for the water, you’ll want to add a drain to the floor of the shower to help the water drain. While it might sound like a great way to save space, the design is more recommended for large bathrooms.
In a small bathroom, this open concept shower design may just lead to a generally damp bathroom. In a larger bathroom, it can draw the eye while you still have room to give the shower its own space in the room.
Sliding Panel Door
Since the door slides rather than swinging open, this can save you a lot of space as well. This is a popular style with glass doors, as we’ve covered, but you can also find sliding panel doors made out of plastic materials as well.
The major downside to these doors is that they’re more labor-intensive to install than a hinged door or shower curtain. You’ll want to make sure that you keep the track clean so it functions best as well.
Bamboo Curtains
Bamboo has found many uses over the centuries. One use that you can take advantage of when you’re adding decor to your bathroom is by using a bamboo shower curtain to add a natural touch.
These curtains have a few unique benefits. The first thing you’ll notice is that they’re soft and aesthetically pleasing. The bamboo also lets a lot more light through than a heavier fabric. This works well if you want to complement an open plan in a bathroom or just brighten up the area inside the shower a bit by letting more light through.
Another great benefit to bamboo is how green it is. We’re not talking about aesthetics either – by using a bamboo shower curtain instead of vinyl or PVC, you can help cut down on your carbon footprint a bit.
Hemp Shower Curtains
Hemp can be used in many of the same applications that we usually turn to plastic or cotton for. However, it boasts the extra benefit of being environmentally friendly. It’s a sustainable option as a shower curtain.
As a shower curtain, you won’t need to worry about grabbing a shower liner for your hemp curtain as well. This is helped by the fact that hemp is mold resistant, although you should still keep a sharp eye for mildew. You can do this by washing your curtain on a bi-weekly basis.
When you notice it needs a wash, you can toss it in your washer but you’ll want to keep the cycle on “cold” to avoid shrinkage. All in all, hemp shower curtains are a sustainable option but you’ll have to make sure to stay on top of washing them regularly to avoid mildew buildup.
Macrame Shower Curtains
Macrame uses knots to create unique patterns rather than a technique like weaving the material together and it’s popular in crafting. As it turns out, you can even use this method for your shower curtain. Don’t worry – there are plenty of macrame types of shower curtains available for purchase as well.
These curtains are excellent for a unique, relaxed look in your bathroom. Plus, the nature of these shower curtains can let some extra light through, helping to lighten up your shower a bit. These curtains can look a bit out of place if you aren’t careful, so it’s a good idea to carefully match them to the rest of your bathroom decor. A common color scheme can help a lot here!
Repurposed Shower Curtains
Another environmentally-friendly option is to opt for repurposed materials for your shower curtain. You can add a unique touch to your bathroom by adding something like a repurposed wood shower door, often installed as a hinged door.
By repurposing the material, you’re going green by actively helping to reduce waste. This is a great choice when you want something that will really stand out. After all, not many people turn to wood when they want to enclose their shower.
The only risk here is that you are using wood in a wet environment. To avoid the negative interactions that can occur here and make your repurposed wood doors last longer, make sure to treat these doors properly. Otherwise, the moisture will start to damage and warp the wood after a while.
Roller Shades
Roller shades work in a very similar fashion to shower blinds but a key difference sets them apart. Much like blinds, they lift up and away when you don’t need them. Yet, they aren’t going to just fold away. Instead, these types of shower shades usually roll up into a housing mechanism.
These are a reliable way to keep your shower curtain out of the way when you need them to. In addition to that, the concealed design can help give your bathroom a bit of modern appeal. Once again, to avoid damage to the roller shades, wait until they’re fully dry to roll them up and away.
Shimmering Shower Screen
Not every bathroom has to look the same and there’s nothing stopping you from opting for something unique. Shimmering shower screens work in much the same way that a standard shower curtain would and you even hang them the same way or opt for a more elegant screen.
The major difference is in how they’re designed. Shimmering shower screens have a glimmering appearance. This can come from a material you can make a door or screen out of like a metal frame or glass or you can opt for a material closer to a shower curtain fabric.
The former is often considered more unique since it offers more room for customization but designs with open holes won’t contain all the splashes from your shower. A frosted glass screen can contain water and offer the same appeal, though.
Shower Blinds
Instead of installing these blinds horizontally and pulling them across the shower to close the curtain, shower blinds drop down like window blinds. When you want them out of the way, you can push them up and out of the way.
These are especially useful if you have a combined tub and shower and want the curtain entirely out of the way sometimes. If you have to bathe your pets or children, this can get the curtain out of your hair. The only major downside is you’ll need to dry these thoroughly before rolling them up and away to avoid problems like mold and mildew.
Hanging Plants
To hang these plants, you can once again turn to macrame. Alternatively, you can create a living shower curtain with plants like ivy or even rely on the tangle of leaves a spider plant offers.
The biggest downside here is obvious. As the plants are alive, you’ll need to keep them healthy. If their health declines, you might notice your shower doesn’t look as beautiful and lively as it once did.
Glass Block Enclosure
These offer a multi-layered look and purpose. The textured glass blocks clearly come with an appearance all their own but the design helps retain heat and catch splashes as well as give you some privacy. For total coverage in these areas, you can build these shower partitions from floor to ceiling.
See more related content in our article about the different types of shower curtain rods on this page.
