What’s The Best Bathroom Window Covering? Our Top 5 Treatments with Pros & Cons

Wondering what the best bathroom window covering is, or what style you should get for your place? It’s not too hard to narrow it down, but it’s something you don’t want to rush into either.

In this post, I want to show you the top five bathroom window treatments and talk you through the pros and cons of each, so you know which is right for you. There are of course more bathroom window dressings than the ones listed here, but I wouldn’t looking beyond these options.

The window treatments or coverings showcased here are all from Metricon display homes, and the images come courtesy of the team. If you’re keen to explore more bathroom inspiration, their bathroom gallery page is filled with it, and contains more bathroom window ideas too.

Enjoy this best bathroom coverings roundup and I’ll see you in the comments section at the end of the post, where you can drop me a question if you need more help.

Roller Blinds for a Bathroom Window

When thinking about window coverings in your bathroom, roller blinds are probably one of the first types you’ll consider. They come with many pros and little cons, so let me talk you through both the good and the bad when it comes to rollers.

Why Bathroom Roller Blinds Work

Roller blinds are great for your bathroom because they fit any size window and offer a great deal of privacy. While some treatments are inappropriate for shorter windows, rollers are a universal solution. This makes them perfect if you have multiple windows in your bathroom of different sizes.

They’re incredibly budget-friendly too (the most affordable of all window treatments) and also quite minimal in design. They don’t stand out as a feature or draw the eye, which works well if there’s another design element in the space that you want to be the hero. 

Roller blinds for a bathroom window are also great with humidity and are easy to clean. Simple wipe them down with a cloth and they’ll retain their good-as-new look for years.

What’s the Downside to a Roller Blind in a Bathroom?

The only real downside with a roller blind is potential privacy and light issues depending on the type of roller blind you install.

There are two types of roller blinds on the market: translucent and blockout. Translucent blinds are semi see-through. During the day they let light in, but at night they don’t offer full privacy. People outside will see figures inside, which is not ideal.

On the other hand, blockout roller blinds are great for privacy at all times (you can’t see through them at all), but during the day you’ll have to roll them up to let light into your bathroom. This is an obvious issue if your window isn’t frosted/opaque as people will see everything that’s going on inside.

In this case, you might want to do a double roller blind, where you have both translucent and blockout on the window together. Roll the blockout blind up during the day to let light through the translucent blind, and then roll it down at night for privacy.

The only other downside is that roller blinds do fade into the background, so if you want to create some wow around your window, roller blinds are not it.

Roller Blind and Sheer Curtain for a Bathroom Window

If you ask me, this combination is the best type of window covering for a bathroom, but I’m a sucker for a sheer curtain. It’s not the right window treatment combination for every window though, so let me talk you through if they’ll work at your place.

Why A Roller Blind and Sheer Curtain Works

What’s so good about a roller blind sitting behind a sheer curtain is that you get the best of both worlds in terms of function. The roller blind will give you full privacy at night, but you can roll it up during the day to let light pour in through the sheer curtain.

The other advantage of having a sheer curtain on your bathroom window is that it adds a layer of softness to what is usually a cold, hard room in the home. It not only balances out elements like tiles, but it can draw the eye and make a feature of your window.

If you install one behind a freestanding bath tub, as you can see above, it brings a sense of grandeur to the zone and feels more impressive than a roller blind on its own.

What’s the Downside to a Roller and Sheer Curtain Here?

There aren’t a great deal of downsides to this window covering combination. It really only becomes somewhat functionally problematic if the bath is too close to the window where it might get wet (possibly not the most amazing window treatment for a family bathroom with young kids).

Sheers can get wet, of course, but some curtain materials can get water marks on them that stay there. You’d be wise to speak to someone in-store about this issue based on the sheer curtain material they recommend for the window.

The other issue is that sheer curtains only work on tall windows where the base of the window frame is close to the floor. You’d never place a sheer curtain on a window that starts well off the floor (above a wall-mounted bath, for example) because it looks quite odd.

If you have two windows (one tall and one short) you don’t want to mix window coverings in the one bathroom, so you’d be wise to forgo sheers altogether here and opt for another window treatment.

Venetian Blinds for a Bathroom Window

Next in our list of best bathroom window coverings is venetian blinds. Popular a while ago and now back in fashion, these window treatments work really well for a number of reasons. There are some distinct advantages to these style of window fashions, but some downsides too.

Why Venetian Blinds Work Well 

One of the biggest benefits of venetian blinds in a bathroom is that you can control the amount and direction of light really well. While roller blinds reveal great slabs of light in one section, the design of a venetian means you can direct them to let in more discreet amounts of sunlight.

This is a good thing in a bathroom, because you can tilt them in a way that lets light in (directed up to the ceiling, for example) while still giving you privacy. The design allows you to pull the cord and open the venetian in its entirety too, so you really do get more flexibility with this style.

Venetian blinds work quite well in a traditional bathroom style (think Hamptons, Provincial or country) but also really modern settings, as you can see below.

What’s the Downside to a Venetian Blind in the Bathroom?

There’s aren’t a great deal of downsides when it comes to venetian blinds for bathrooms. The main one is around ensuring you get the right material for your bathroom conditions, and the second is issues around day-to-day maintenance.

As a bathroom is a wet zone, you’ll want to install a venetian blind made from PVC, not timber. With timber, the material can warp over time due to the amount of humidity in the space. But with a material like PVC you can get a timber look without the worry.

Traditionally, venetian blind cords have been known to stick over time. This can make it hard to raise the entire blind up. The other potential downside is that they are harder to clean than a roller blind. Dust will sit on the individual PVC panels, so you’ll need to keep on top of this.

But if dusting isn’t a big deal for you and you love the control you get with a venetian, I say give it a go. They do look pretty divine.

Roman Blinds for a Bathroom Window

If you love a traditional interior design scheme you’re probably going to be drawn to the idea of installing Roman blinds on your bathroom window. They’re a great solution for the space and look lovely, but are they the best type for your space? Read on as I highlight the pros and cons.

Why Roman Blinds Work Well in a Bathroom

Visually a Roman blind is a gorgeous idea for a bathroom because it brings a great deal of softness to the room. In a tile-heavy zone like this, they do a great job in creating a sense of balance. They also come in a range of colours and styles, so there are many options for you to choose from.

As you can see in the images above and below, Roman blinds do create a sense of grandeur and charm, drawing the eye to the window in the room. They’re definitely a standout feature you can create drama with.

Roman blinds work well on a variety of window sizes, so if you have multiple windows to cover you won’t have to worry here. Plus they come in a variety of blockout materials and sheer options.

Are there Downsides to Roman Blinds in a Bathroom?

There are a few downsides to having a Roman blind in your bathroom, and the main one has to do with moisture. Roman blinds can definitely work, but they’re at their best in larger bathrooms with plenty of ventilation. I’d avoid them in very small spaces that are likely to get steamy.

One of the other cons is that you can only open them up or down, so you can’t control light levels like you can with venetian blinds or a roller and sheer combination. You’d also want the window they’re on the be opaque, unless you’re in a second story bathroom with no privacy issues.

Last but not least, the cord used to operate a Roman blind can be quite long, proving a potential safety hazard for small children if not properly secured.

Plantation Shutters for a Bathroom Window

We’re at the end of our list of best bathroom window coverings, and some will argue that I’ve saved the best for last: plantation shutters. These are super popular and loved by many, but there are some things to keep in mind before you whip out your credit card to place an order.

Are Plantation Shutters Good for a Bathroom?

Visually, yes! Let’s start there. They look amazing in a Hamptons bathroom but also work just as well in a modern setting. Mostly installed in white, they allow you to create contrast if the walls or tiles in the spaces are dark, and they definitely have a more upmarket feel than something like a roller blind.

In terms of function they’re great as well. Strong and sturdy, they’re much tougher to break than a venetian blind, and won’t bend or warp like a roller blind might. They’re also easy to clean, and help to insulate against extreme weather conditions. 

They also work on any size window and if made from a material like PVC, are completely waterproof.

What’s the Downside of Plantation Shutters?

There are a few small downsides to this type of window treatment in your bathroom. Firstly, you have to ensure you have clearance in front of the shutters so when you open the main panels to access the window behind them, you aren’t hitting anything and damaging them in the process.

The other downside is that the louvres are thick, so they do tend to let in less light than some of the other window coverings mentioned here. 

Hopefully this roundup of the best bathroom window coverings has helped you make some decisions for your space. Drop me a comment below if you have any questions of need some more help with your selections.

This post includes images and/or videos of Metricon display homes and events, reproduced with permission. © Metricon Homes Pty Ltd 2021.