The new trend in bathroom design

For years, the frameless glass shower door has been the undisputed champion of bathroom design. It was elegant. It was modern. It made every renovation reveal look vaguely spa-like. And if you watched enough home improvement shows between 2015 and 2023, you probably started to think that a bathroom without a giant sheet of glass wasn’t a bathroom worth having.

But lately something interesting has been happening.

Designers are quietly replacing these expensive glass cubicles with something much softer, more charming and surprisingly practical: shower curtains.

Yes. Bathroom curtains.

And before you imagine the sad plastic siding from your college apartment, let me stop you right there. It’s not these shower curtains. The new generation feels purposeful, decorative and—dare I say—somewhat sophisticated.

The pattern is having an important moment

Part of the appeal lies in a simple fact: people are tired of safe bathrooms.

For years, the formula was pretty much identical—white tile, black fixtures, frameless glass, maybe a floating vanity if you were feeling adventurous.

Now homeowners are embracing wallpaper, painted walls, checkerboard floors and vintage-inspired details. A patterned shower curtain is a natural fit for this shift.

Take that bath Studio DBfor example. The striking red floral curtain doesn’t just hide the shower – it acts as a focal point, echoing the room’s bold color palette and layered patterns. Paired with the whimsical wallpaper and lacquered vanity, the curtain looks less like a bathroom accessory and more like a custom fabric installation. It’s the kind of space that would lose much of its personality if a frameless sheet of glass were substituted in its place.

This is the real pull of the trend. A shower curtain offers another opportunity to introduce color, pattern and texture to a room traditionally dominated by hard surfaces.

Think of it as a piece of art for your shower.

And unlike tile, you can change your mind next year.

Butter Mama Bathrooms Made For Linen Shower Curtains

If you’ve noticed more linen shower curtains lately, it’s no accident. They go perfectly with it Bath mom butter aesthetics, which is about creating a bathroom that feels warm, comfortable and truly lived in.

The easiest way to get the look? Skip the standard plastic curtain and opt for a fabric one with some personality. Ruffles, subtle stripes, soft florals or the loose texture of linen instantly make the bathroom feel less constructed and more thoughtfully designed.

Some designer tricks worth stealing:

• Hang the curtain higher than the shower rod needs. It makes the ceilings appear higher and gives the bathroom a custom feel.
• Choose a fabric curtain with fullness. A slightly gathered look is softer and more luxurious than a flat panel.
• Pair it with warm finishes. Think brass hardware, wooden sinks, woven baskets and fluffy towels.
• Don’t be afraid of texture. The linen, cotton and ruffle details are exactly what make Butter Mom’s bathrooms feel cozy and not sterile.

The biggest reason this trend works? Restores softness to the bathroom. While glass shower doors tend to disappear, a beautiful linen curtain becomes part of the decor, adding warmth and character without requiring a complete renovation.

Sometimes changing one shower curtain really is enough to make the whole bathroom feel different. You can enjoy this ruffle shower curtain Etsy.

Vintage bathrooms that never really left

If you’ve spent any time browsing designer portfolios lately, you’ve probably noticed another recurring theme: vintage-inspired bathrooms.

Traditional homes, English country interiors, cottage-style spaces, and even many contemporary projects embrace elements that feel vintage rather than ultra-modern.

A fabric shower curtain feels right at home in these spaces.

In fact, in many historic homes, a curtain is often more authentic than a giant frameless plate of glass.

It creates the relaxed, lived-in feel that so many designers are chasing right now.

From sofas to shower curtains: Our constant obsession with stripes

If there’s one pattern that never seems to fall out of favor, it’s stripes. We’ve recently spotted striped sofas among Pinterest’s most enduring decor trends, but the appeal of this classic pattern extends far beyond the living room. From bedding and rugs to wallpaper and bathroom curtains, stripes continue to appear in every corner of the home.

In this bathroom, the curtain does much of the heavy lifting. The rest of the room is relatively simple—white tile, light blue trim, warm wood cabinetry—but those soft vertical stripes add rhythm and keep the space from feeling flat. They also draw the eye upwards, making the room taller and more airy.

It’s a reminder that stripes don’t have to be bold to make an impact. Whether they appear on a sofa, an accent chair, or a shower curtain, it’s one of those rare patterns that somehow feels both current and completely timeless.

Useful tips before buying a shower curtain

• Pay attention to size and placement. A shower curtain that is too tight or hangs too low can make the bathroom feel unfinished. Choose a curtain that’s slightly wider than the tub so it forms gentle folds rather than stretching flat, and consider placing the rod a little higher than usual to create the illusion of higher ceilings. Ideally, the curtain should fall close to the floor without dragging.
• Cloth almost always looks better. Even in a budget bathroom, a fabric shower curtain tends to give a softer, more finished look than a plastic one.
• Consider a double curtain layout. For the best combination of style and practicality, use a clear waterproof liner on the inside and a fabric curtain on the outside. The liner keeps water where it belongs, while the outer curtain adds warmth, texture and personality to the room.
• Think about what you will see every day. A shower curtain occupies an amazing visual space. In many bathrooms, it’s essentially the largest decorative element in the room, so choose something you’ll still enjoy looking at a year from now.
• Washing matters. No matter how beautiful a curtain is, you’ll appreciate it much more if you can throw it in the washing machine every few months.
• Don’t underestimate texture. Sometimes a simple linen or subtly patterned curtain adds more character than a busy print or bold pattern.

Will glass doors disappear completely?

Probably not.

Glass enclosures still make sense in many bathrooms, especially shower enclosures where water containment is a priority.

But what we’re seeing is less a rejection of glass and more a broader shift in the way designers think about bathrooms.

People want spaces that feel warmer, more personal, and less like luxury hotel bathrooms copied straight from a Pinterest board.

Patterned shower curtains help achieve this.

They are softer. They are more affordable. They are easier to change. And perhaps most importantly, they bring some personality back into a room that has spent years trying too hard to be minimalist.

And honestly? It was about time.