Bathroom Window Treatment Ideas

Relaxed Roman shades pull up in soft folds to admit light and views. On narrow windows, the shades drape in a single swag, whereas wider windows would have two or more swags. Choose a printed fabric to give the Roman blinds a fun flourish. Lining protects the fabric from the deteriorating effects of the sun but doesn't block light entirely, so the shades filter light gently.

In a generous block of windows, tailored balloon shades combine with decorative drapery panels, hanging as soft columns on either side of the arrangement. The bathroom window coverings soften the otherwise utilitarian space. This bathroom's draperies provide a sophisticated backdrop for the room's other decorating attributes, including a wrought iron chandelier and marble shower.

Check out these pretty window treatment projects.

Practical as well as handsome, shutters are often used in bathrooms because of their low maintenance and durability. Operable shutters let bathers regulate the light that enters the room, closing things off when needed. In this airy master bath, painted shutters contrast fresh white trim for a pleasing color-block effect. In rooms with odd-sized bathroom windows, shutters may need to be custom-ordered to fit.

Fixed balloon shades introduce color and pattern into settings where softness is needed. In a bath where privacy isn't a concern, mount shades over the trim to allow the windows to easily open and close. A series of soft swoops distinguish these decorative shades from other bathroom window treatments. The relaxed yet formal style works well for an elegant ambiance. Just make sure to choose a fabric, such as cotton, that will hold up well in humid bath conditions.

In this master bathroom, a roller shade fits perfectly on the window frame. An elongated twine cord speaks to the vintage appeal of the bathroom while also making it possible to lower the shades with ease. Because they're made from a thick linen fabric, the roller shades also insulate against the cold when closed.

Heavy bathroom window curtains in pale pink separate this feminine space into distinct zones. Attached with rings, one curtain creates a vanity niche when closed. Another curtain partitions dry spaces from the tub and shower areas. The oversize curtain panels add privacy to the massive master and create a luxurious, spa-like experience. 

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Roman shades, fabricated from sheer embroidered linen, are part boudoir, part garden room, and part spa in this master bath. Their simple construction and demure motif are a beautiful balance to the heavy cabinetry and ornate tile in the bathroom. The shades' sheer quality lets in light while still providing bathroom window privacy.

The most popular way of dressing an arched window is to hang curtains or mini blinds halfway up, leaving the arch exposed. In this bath, ordinary cafe curtains on simple rings hang from a skinny rod that matches the iron window frame. The simple window treatment allows the surrounding tile work and statement-making vanity to stand out. 

When seclusion is not a concern, window treatments can be as simple as you like. These basic beige curtains, when closed, block the window but add a touch of grace and softness in a room dominated by hard surfaces. When open, the curtains provide access to breathtaking views. 

Editor's Tip: For complete coverage, consider installing blackout blinds or curtains. Keep in mind, however, that no natural light will filter in through these bathroom window treatments. 

In this bath, a freestanding tub fits under the square window. Plantation shutters provide privacy for bathers but don't restrict light. When privacy is needed, a light-blocking curtain can be drawn across the window. For a spot like this in which the window treatment will be exposed to water, choose an all-weather fabric designed for outdoor use. Water-resistant and treated with a mildewcide, they're designed to withstand rain outdoors and will keep their good looks in your bathroom, too.

See our favorite curtain and drape ideas.

A second-story bath may need no window treatment at all. In that case, consider installing a stained-glass window or frosted bathroom window. Here, the light flows from the early-20th-century stained glass, through the tub area, and into the rest of the bath. A neutral color scheme on the walls lets the beauty of the stained glass stand out.

To give a basic bathroom window a more exciting look, cover part of it with custom-ordered shutters that fold open and can be mounted over the window opening. The shutters add architectural interest and a hint of privacy. A pale wood finish and starred cutouts allow the shades to fit right in with the rest of this traditional, European-style bath. 

Elevate small bathroom window treatments beyond basic. A simple and sweet lace curtain filters light through a small bathroom window in this modern space. A tension rod allows for a perfect fit midway down the window casing, while the barely there fabric coverage provides just enough privacy for bathers. Modern features, like gray walls and a subway-tiled shower, keep the lace from looking stuffy. 

Framing this giant window with a lavish swath of sheer drapery gives the space powerful elegance. Behind the sheers are Venetian blinds that can be lowered for privacy. Matching the curtains to the wallpaper and fabric of the ottoman gives the room a cohesive look. A vaulted ceiling and neutral tile floor prevent the space from being overwhelming. 

Moisture, tight space, and practicality make dressing a bathroom window particularly challenging. This stylish vanity area with marble accents features one window that serves as a focal point. To play up its design aspects, the window treatment pairs shades with a valance. Shutters mounted inside the window frame can be closed at will, while a loose valance that matches the gray veins of marble embellishes the bathroom window glass.

In this tub alcove, multiple windows are treated as one unit. Pleated bathroom window curtains stretch from wall to wall, accenting the window grids. The simple, semi-sheer curtains add an element of privacy, while iron rings add farmhouse style to the look. 

For a unique bathroom window treatment, look for architectural salvage that can be repurposed to serve as shutters. This antique divider fits perfectly behind the tub, providing ample privacy from the large bay of windows. An overarching window shade can be lowered as needed to block out light. 

More ideas for multiple windows.

Woven shades fit snugly into these small windows for a custom look. With a showstopping tiled tub as the bathroom's focal point, the bamboo blinds add complementary natural texture but don't  compete for attention. A pale wood-colored complexion allow the shades to match other bathroom features, such as cabinetry and the floor. 

The soft, weighty folds of these overscale London shades provide a beautiful counterpoint to striking windows. The bathroom window treatment enhances the romantic vintage style of the pedestal tub, marble floor, and pale blue walls. Mounted just below the ceiling, the shade is flat across the top with inverted pleats that gather into gentle folds with a tail or wing at each side. Lining is essential for protecting the fabric from the sun, and interlining can give the window treatment body as well as improve the treatment's insulating ability.

In this master bathroom, a giant window frames a stand-alone tub and defines the room's shape. To emphasize the space as a comfortable, furnished room, creamy curtain panels fall in graceful columns from ceiling to floor. Pinch pleats attached to small iron curtain rings give the draperies a rustic, informal look.