One of the most used rooms in any house is the bathroom.
And they are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. The normal usage of a very used room, often used by several peaple, takes its toll. And then there is the moisture- running water, residule water from showers, and dampness from towels. These are all things one needs to be assessed when doing even a partial change in a bathroom.
One of the fastest way to freshen a bathroom up is by adding new curtains- whether for windows, a shower, or both. What is needed is something that can stand up to the constant moisture, and will dry quickly. While that rules out a lot of home decorating fabrics that are made to withstand the use of chairs and sofas, there are plenty of lighter weight fabrics. The prints are the most appropriate, but the weight of printed fabrics varies- if you have doubts about the weight of a fabric, call!
I think it is fun to change out the curtains in a bathroom… you can rotate things seasonally to get a fresh look. It gives one a lift to see something new first thing in the morning. I love the pool fabric with the girls for a summer fabric. But, one might not want it for winter, or maybe seeing it on a cold winter day might be what one does want!
For a cohesive look to a decorating scheme, use a fabric that is from the same genre used in the rest of the house. You can search the categories on the home page for the different types of patterns. All of them, except for the Upholstery Fabric category have fabrics that are appropriate for bathrooms.
For instance, in the Horse Fabric category all but the paisley jockey are a good weight for a shower curtian. The Horse Jockey Paisley Fabric is just too heavy. The modern Horse Hunt fabric comes in blue, green, pink, orange/red on tan, and red /blue on tan.
When looking at fabric, don’t just pay attention to the colors, also pay attention to the background cloth. Depending on the pattern, a tan background might have a more masculine look.
Another thing to look at, especially when doing both a window curtain and a shower curtain is the scale of pattern. The two blue Asian dragon patterns are good example of how scale and pattern placement can make a difference for your decorating.
The Blue Oriental Dragon fabric has a very large scale. It would be a really great shower curtain. But for a small window, one might need to cut the fabric down vertically to get the part of the design wanted, and then sew the curtain. Pattern scale is crucial when working on a large item and then moving to a smaller project in the same space,
especially if it is a small space.
That is not to say using part of a large scale pattern on a small window would be ineffective. Not at all! It could be
really striking. Think of a window curtain as a way to showcase a detail that you really like. Picture the head and part of the dragon’s body on a small curtain. By isolating it one brings that detail into focus.
Here is the other blue dragon fabric.
A totally different fabric- smaller scale, many more elements, and all are arranged very close together on a watery background. For some bathroom decor, it might be easier to work with while still encorporating the Asian theme in blue. For a window one could choose to center the dragon, or center a group of pots, having the dragon above or to one side.
For those who just want a subtle look, there are a variety of options. The Lattice Scroll Tile Fabrics have a watercolor background with a classic look. These would work in any bathroom for either men or women. It comes in the grey, tan, blue, and orange. The neutrals are understated, the blue and orange pop. The scale can fit in anywhere. The nice thing about it is one does not need to worry about design placement. This fabric has all the attributes needed for use in a bathroom.
There are a lot of stripes that would work. Seersucker is a classic for summer cottages. The ombred French stripes give a feminine look, and would be a bit of a surprise, as one does not see woven ribbon work very often. We have yellow, pink-red, and aqua.
So, think about a few things.
What are you trying to achieve.
Who will be the main people using the bathroom?
Consider whether the new curtains are going to be there long term or short term.
Get samples- you always should!
For this project it is doubly important. While a sample will give you a color check, you also really need it for the weight! Do NOT suppose that all prints will work- you need to check the weight either by getting a sample or by calling.
And, remember- Practicality! What ever the choice it has to be up to the abuse of a bathroom, while giving you enjoyment.