This Shower Curtain Trick Will Make Your Bathroom Feel Bigger in Just Minutes

Have a cramped bathroom? This simple change can give the illusion that you added square footage—without the demo or cost.

The bathroom is a room that most people can agree is better with more space. However, adding more square feet to a small bathroom can be complicated and costly. If you’re looking for ways to make your cramped bathroom feel more spacious on a budget, there is an easy and affordable solution. All you need is a shower curtain and a rod!

Interior design experts share how to implement this simple shower curtain hack that can make your small bathroom feel larger. Learn why designers love it, and see how to best execute it in your home.

Related: 22 Beautiful Bathroom Shower Ideas for Every Style

How to Make Your Bathroom Feel Bigger

While you’re not actually going to be expanding the size of your bathroom, this effortless trick will give the illusion that you have. Most people install their shower curtain at a height that only will cover the showerhead, usually a few feet down from the ceiling. Instead of using this typical technique, home design influencers have been sharing a different way to hang a shower curtain.

Creators recommend using a 96-inch (or extra long) shower curtain and shower curtain liner to achieve a more luxurious look. With a shower curtain at this length, it is necessary to hang the curtain much higher on the wall, nearly to the ceiling. This will leave the bottom of your shower curtain hitting barely above the floor. This quick change is made even easier when using a tension rod rather than a fixed one, literally only taking minutes to achieve this elevated look.

Related: The 8 Best Shower Curtain Liners for Your Home

Why Does Raising the Shower Curtain Make the Room Look Bigger?

Gabriela Eisenhart, interior designer and founder of Silo Studios, says that raising the curtain rod draws the eye up and stretches the room. “Installing the rod closer to the ceiling creates the illusion of taller ceilings. This trick is great for small powder rooms as it adds visual height and creates a polished look,” she says.

Mina Lisanin, founder of ML Interiors, says that increasing the height of a shower curtain rod can be a simple yet transformative update for any bathroom—particularly one with low ceilings. “It increases height perception. A higher rod elongates the room, giving a sense of increased vertical space,” she says.

Take It a Step Further

Since a shower curtain’s length and height can give your bathroom a more elegant look, so can its other features. Eisenhart suggests to have fun and explore various options when it comes to the shower curtain’s fabric and pattern. “It’s a great way to infuse personality into a bathroom, especially smaller ones,” she says. Consider gingham, mini florals, stripes, and other patterns to offer visual interest to an otherwise simple space.

Related:
6 Pattern Trends to Incorporate into Your Home in 2024

More Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Feel Larger

So you purchased a longer shower curtain and raised the rod—maybe now you’re looking for other ways to make your bathroom feel even more open. Eisenhart recommends using light colors on the walls and floors. She also suggests floating vanities and open shelving to make the room feel less cramped. “Large mirrors will reflect more light and enhance the sense of space as well,” Eisenhart says.

Related: 30 Styling and Design Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

For more Better Homes & Gardens news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.