Many people make the mistake of planning window coverings in the bathroom just as they would for any other in the house. But the reality is that bathrooms present special challenges for window light control, privacy and moisture.

If you are planning a bathroom redecoration it’s always essential to choose materials that are well-suited to a very damp environment. This is especially important in considering what type of blinds or other window coverings to purchase.

While privacy and moisture resistance are important concerns when purchasing blinds for your bathroom, you dont have to compromise on decorative qualities.

The bathroom will be far more humid and damp than any other room and that must certainly enter into your plans for its decorating if you want to keep the new things you purchase rather than see them wilt or be ruined in the heat and humidity that is the nearly permanent atmosphere of the bathroom.

Although this will sound obvious to most people you would be surprised how many folks will fail to grasp that particular concept of the redecorating process that is practicality; bathroom blinds need to be waterproof.

For reasons that are completely practical most people will move away from curtaining the bathroom area, although some who are less careful decorators will opt for this kind of window treatment and wonder why they are finding themselves presented each morning with a vast expanse of molded or mildewed fabric hanging from the window each morning at shower time.

Fabrics which have been untreated by some type of sealant will quickly present you with the problems that any fabric does when it is constantly wet and re-wet, without a real chance to dry each day.

The more occupants you have in your household to shower or bathe, the more problems you will have with dampness remaining in the room.

Be sure your bathroom blinds are water and mildew resistant or you may find yourself replacing them much sooner than anticipated.

It’s probably smart to avoid vertical blinds in that when a fan takes them, or they are moved by any type of activity your privacy is still somewhat compromised by the opening of gaps in the vertical blinds.

Wooden blinds will probably not be a good option for you in the bath area due to the continuous wetting they will receive, particularly if they are closer to the bath or shower. If you go this route you will want to be certain that you choose one which states that it is waterproof, or failing that, the roll up type can be easily sealed with a polyurethane sealant prior to hanging them.

There are vast amounts of plastic blind being made today that have the look of wood and the convenience of being waterproof. Wood type blinds, or faux wood, made of another material today are attractive and not the rather cheap looking substitution of the past.

Great improvements have been made in the workability of plastic and polyurethane, and although it is in some cases mocked as being an inexpensive way to go, it is also a practical way to go.

Being limited in your choices of materials that you can use in this environment doesn’t mean that you are limited in design or dimension of decoration.

Aluminum is a super option for the bath and aside from being rust proof and waterproof, they are easy to clean and come in a variety of designs and colors.

Roll up blinds of vinyl are also a fantastic way to go because they stay out of the way, are colored to match your décor and are easy to wipe clean given that there are no individual slats to be cleared up when the dust settles, as it invariably will.

It is common these days to find features including a TV, audio system, along with a whirlpool Jacuzzi tub, sauna steam room; items you once might have found only at an exclusive spa.

Even if your master bath isn’t quite so spacious, you still want your bathroom window treatments to complement the style and theme of your decor.

Read on to learn what works best if you need to update or redo your bathroom window treatment.

Whether you have a limited budget or want to splurge a little, you have many options available when considering window coverings in the bathroom.

While style and decor are important elements of a successful bathroom window treatment, privacy is often the most important aspect. For a modern spa theme, these pleated shades offer a clean and sleek look.

Perhaps no room in your home requires privacy more than the bathroom; especially if your bathroom window looks out onto the street or your neighbor’s windows!

Window coverings in the bathroom provide the light control and privacy you need to make your bathroom a place to relax and unwind while taking that nice long soak in the tub, putting on make up or getting dressed to go out on the town!

Even if your bathroom windows have semi-obscure glass, you’ll want the added privacy a curtain, blind or other window covering affords.

Unless your bathroom window has a completely private view of your yard and cannot be viewed from outdoors, you will probably want to create a window treatment that is completely opaque.

Bathroom Window Treatments and Moisture

An important consideration many people overlook when selecting a window treatment for the bathroom is moisture. If you want to decorate your bathroom, be sure you choose materials that are well suited to the humid and damp conditions of most bathrooms.

Those white linen curtains may look great the day you put them up, but after a few months you may find yourself disappointed when those ugly black mould spots begin to appear.

For this reason, you may want to avoid putting up curtains and opt instead for blinds or shades. If you do use curtains, be sure to choose a properly treated fabric that won’t attract mould and mildew and can be cleaned easily.

If you have a very large bathroom and the window is located well away from your bathtub or shower, then moisture could be less of a consideration when designing your bathroom window treatment.

Blinds or shades will offer the most privacy to your bathroom windows in many cases, but you dont have to sacrifice style either. Select a window covering that matches the theme, colors and decor of your bathroom.

While your choice of materials is somewhat limited, you can still design a bathroom window treatment that offers privacy while still matching your bathroom decor and creating something stylish.

Nearly any style of window blind can be installed in a bathroom to give you the style and design you want, but start by considering your privacy, light control and functional requirements first.

Next, consider the style and theme of your bathroom. If you are going for the clean look of a modern spa, then you might want simple pleated shades or Venetian blinds.

On the other hand, if your bathroom is appointed in a more traditional theme, then a layered approach will work nicely, perhaps using a cornice, valance or swag to add color and depth to your design.

If you desire something semi-transparent, then a layered combination of sheer curtains with blinds or shades underneath will work nicely.

That way you can easily open or close the blinds for privacy as needed.

Here are your best options to provide both privacy and style in your bathroom:

• Roller Blinds – the roller blinds may well be the most popular bathroom window covering on the market today. They are easy to roll up to get them out of the way when you want to let in the natural light, and available in many colors, patterns and materials that are specially treated to resist the dampness, mould and mildew. Wiping down with a damp cloth is all that is needed to keep most roller blinds clean.
• Interior Shutters – Vinyl interior shutters would be a stylish option in some bathroom decor situations. Interior wood shutters will also work, if they have been treated for moisture protection, although this will be a more costly alternative.
• Aluminum Venetian Blinds – metal blinds make an attractive, affordable and practical window treatment for the bathroom, with their natural resistance to moisture and excellent ability to give you complete control over light and privacy.
• Wooden Venetian Blinds – if you can afford it, look for wood blinds that are specially treated to resist mould and mildew. The price is higher than other options, but if you really want the natural texture and quality of wood, these products are an option.
• Faux Wood Blinds – these are made from plastic, but with today’s manufacturing methods, faux wood finishes offer a close imitation of the real thing at a fraction of the cost.
• Vinyl Blinds – while people often think of vinyl blinds as cheap looking and likely to break quickly, you can find vinyl blinds on the market today that are quite stylish and they are a great option for the bathroom; especially if your window is near the tub or shower where any window covering will be subject to extremely moist conditions.
• Fabric or Roller Shades – roller blinds afford very good privacy and light control. And, since many roller shades are available in an opaque vinyl material, they will be resistant to mould and mildew. You may also choose fabric roller shades, treated for moisture resistance.
• Curtains or Draperies – if designed properly for the bathroom, curtain or drapes may be completely closed to provide privacy. You can also select plastic or other translucent materials to create an interesting effect of color and light in your bathroom, although this will reduce the level of privacy if not combined with blinds or shades.
• Pleated or Cellular Shades – Cellular shades (in non-sheer materials) have full glass coverage for privacy. Many styles can be ordered with a "top down" feature, so a portion of the glass can be visible at the top of the window to let in light and have a view. Cellular shades have the added benefit of insulating your bathroom as well.

The right shower curtain can tie together your colors, minimize a horrible tile color, and make the room feel larger or more opulent.

And if you’re in the mood to remodel your bathroom but don’t have the money for it, simply replacing the shower curtain or shower curtain hooks and adding accessories can give your bathroom a new look.

Read on for shower curtain styles, tips and ideas.

You can use shower curtains to add color and patterns in your bathroom.

First, you need to decide if you want a single curtain or an outer curtain in conjunction with a curtain liner. Single curtains obviously must be made from waterproof fabrics such as vinyl or nylon.

They are both durable and easy to clean. If light is scarce in your shower and you don’t want to fool with installing a fixture, consider buying a clear option that will allow light to filter through.

With a double curtain, you have more choices fabric wise, so long as you layer vinyl underneath for water control.

Fabrics are available in more styles and with embellishments that can’t be used on vinyl such as lace or bead accents.

In general, fabrics will get you a more opulent look that you’ll have problems getting with a liner.

If your bathroom has a tile color that’s difficult to match or visually overwhelming, your shower curtain can help to alleviate the problem.

For a tough shade, pick a shower curtain that has several shades in the same color family. For example, if you have turquoise tile, pick a shower curtain with several shades of blue.

That way, the curtain and the tile don’t have to match exactly.

And if your tile color is visually overwhelming, pick a color that tones it down. If the color is too cool, giving a sterile vibe to your bath, pick a curtain with warm colors. Don’t just default to white.

Choosing the Right Rods and Hooks

• The effect of having a fancy new shower curtain can be completely ruined by a set of old, moldy, or cracked shower curtain hooks. Of course, you want to choose shower rods and hooks that complement your overall decor, but there are some other considerations that you ought to make:First, select your rod. Textured rods add visual interest but limit your choices to rings, since hooks tend to stick on them.
• Painted shower curtain rods are generally best paired with plastic rings, since other types will usually scratch them. Once you’ve selected the rod, choose the rings.
• Hooks are more decorative but also more likely to come off. Metal rings look nice but rattle.
• Plastic rings are durable, but the most difficult to hang. Also realize that the more narrow the area where your curtain rests, the more likely the curtain will be to tear from the pressure of opening and closing.