CHOOSE THE TYPE
The size of your bathroom and window will largely determine the type of window treatment you choose, and whether you want a purely practical or more decorative option. Choose a material that is washable or, at the very least, can be wiped easily.
BLINDS
Blinds will give your windows a neat, streamlined look, and are a good choice for smaller bathrooms. Make sure that the material—whether wood, faux wood, or fabric—is resistant to moisture and easy to clean. Also, ensure that its fixtures block as little light as possible.
CURTAINS
Only really suitable for large or well-ventilated bathrooms, curtains should be made from a machine-washable fabric and washed often to prevent mold caused by hot, humid surroundings. Use a curtain rod that’s wider than the window to pull the curtains back fully.
SHUTTERS
Solid shutters are available in limited designs, but louvered shutters come with two or three panels in a choice of styles including full-height and tier-on-tier. Louvered shutters are ideal for bathrooms since they can be tilted open and shut for light, privacy, and insulation.
FILM
Window film offers complete privacy without blocking out all-natural light. It can be bought by the yard or made to measure and is attached to interior windowpanes with a water and detergent solution. Choose from plain frosted or colored film.
CHOOSE THE STYLE
BLINDS
ROMAN: Unless your bathroom is very well ventilated, a Roman blind should be made from a fabric that is not susceptible to mildew in hot and humid rooms. The benefit of choosing a fabric blind is that it allows you to add patterns to a room that might otherwise be fairly plain—although keep the fabric plain if your bathroom tiles are patterned.
ROLLER: Roller blinds are a fairly inexpensive option, and, providing you’re good at home improvement, are easy to install. You can have roller blinds made to measure, although most ready-made blinds can be cut to size. Choose blinds that are made from moisture-resistant fabrics.
VENETIAN: Made from metal or wood, the adjustable slats of a Venetian blind allow you to control the amount of light coming through the window, in addition to providing privacy. They are available in a choice of materials, colors, and slat widths.
VERTICAL: Best suited to modern bathrooms with large windows, vertical blinds consist of long strips of fabric that can be tilted or drawn. They produce the optical effect of distorting the human form, which is good for maintaining privacy. The blinds come in a range of colors and fabrics; look for those that are moisture- and mold-resistant.
SHUTTERS
SOLID: Solid shutters are designed to be closed shut at night and folded back against the wall during the day. In addition to full-height shutters, you can choose the half- or three-quarter height, which can be kept closed at all times for privacy, while still letting in light.
LOUVER: The adjustable slats of louvered shutters make them a good choice for bathrooms. The best options are tier-on-tier shutters or full-height shutters with a mid-rail so you can control the top and bottom sections independently. They are available in a wide choice of wood or paint finishes.
CURTAINS
SILL LENGTH: Slimline sill-length—or just below sill-length—curtains in washable cotton can be used to introduce a decorative theme to your bathroom. For example, a flower design will give your bathroom a country feel, while blue and white stripes can lend a nautical flavor. You may need to team them with a blind or window film to offer some privacy.
FILM
PLAIN OR PATTERNED: If your bathroom window looks directly into a neighbor’s house, use a plain or patterned film that completely obscures the window. For upstairs bathrooms that aren’t overlooked, you can choose film with a cutout design such as circles, stars, or another motif to add a decorative touch.
