The Best Shower Curtains Are Modern and Mildew-Resistant (2025)

The best shower curtains take up a significant amount of visual real estate in your bathroom, meaning they can define the entire style of the space. Finding one that marries style and functionality can quickly take the space from dingy to spa-like. Going for a minimalist look? Amp up neutral hues by playing with texture, like a waffle weave or sleek vinyl shower curtain. If bright colors are more your vibe, opt for a vibrant shower curtain to serve as the focal point for your bathroom.

No matter what way your interior design style leans, a high-quality shower curtain is a must. After all, feeling refreshed after a shower isn’t quite as relaxing if you’re worried about mildew buildup or water dripping everywhere. Between fabric, plastic, and water-resistant picks, we’ve collected a lineup of effective shower curtains that are also a breezy way to revamp your bathroom decor.

Our Top Picks for the Best Shower Curtains:

• Best for Minimalists: Quince European Linen Shower Curtain, $50
• Best Basic: Boll & Branch Organic Cotton Waffle Shower Curtain, $109
• Best for Maximalists: Quiet Town Sun Shower Curtain, $42
• Best for Art Lovers: Henri Matisse The Pink Studio Shower Curtain by Jon Baran, $47
• Best Antique Style: Dakota Fields Suna Linen Shower Curtain, $87
• Best Statement Curtain: RHODE Thistle Shower Curtain, $45

This waffle weave shower curtain feels substantial and adds texture while still sticking to neutral tones. Our commerce director Rachel Fletcher calls it her “Tried and true, perfectly perfect, classic white shower curtain.” It’s available in both white and a very light gray, both of which would make a space feel open and airy. Plus, Boll & Branch makes some of the best bath towels we’ve come across, so you can outfit your whole space in one go. And if you’re looking to keep your curtain looking fresh, follow this tip from Fletcher: “I pair it with a washable liner and bleach every few months to keep it looking good as new.”

Create a translucent accent wall of sorts with this water-resistant Quiet Town pick that lends a burst of color to your bathroom. It can be used by itself or as a shower liner if you want more privacy with an opaque shower curtain. “I love the fact that it’s transparent,” says commerce writer Julia Harrison, “It makes our teeny tiny bathroom feel bigger, and it lets in light so I don’t feel like I’m showering in a dark cave.”

Linen makes any room feel a little more natural and beachy, but it can also get pricey. Quince’s lower-priced (but still high-quality) linen shower curtain is substantial and prewashed for optimal softness.

Created in collaboration with lifestyle brand Rhode, this vintage-inspired cotton shower curtain from West Elm provides both color and texture with its thistle print and ruffled hem. The built-in buttonholes also make it a breeze to attach with a set of shower hooks.

This linen shower curtain is another water-repellent pick on this list, meaning it’ll keep your bathroom dry while adding a hint of bohemian flair. Plus it comes with 12 hooks, so it’s ready to hang straight out of the box.

Take a note from Shea McGee’s serene bath scheme by incorporating more neutrals into your space. Coquette but not over-the-top, the beige-striped decorative bows lining the top hem give a whimsical detail to a plain white shower curtain.

Mirroring their best-selling bath towels, Brooklinen’s shower curtain features a waffle weave. This texture makes for a fast-drying, lightweight, and durable fabric that will last shower after shower (particularly if you pair it with a shower liner).

Patchwork prints, especially done up in watercolor hues, are a refreshing way to dial up the saturation in the bathroom without settling on any one solid hue. This polyester shower curtain from Etsy embodies a Japanese boro vibe, and it’s also fast-drying and backed by several five-star reviews.

Toile prints are always in fashion—and the meadow-like pattern of this shower curtain brings a tranquil detail to your indoor spa. Available in a wide color palette, it’s easily customizable to your tile backsplash or bath towels.

If your aesthetic aligns with farmhouse or bohemian styles, this linen shower curtain will bring the laidback vibe you’re looking for in 27 colors. This could be a great contender for a serene monochrome bathroom look, or it could happily play second fiddle to a bold striped bath mat.

Through a bold shower curtain, you can designate the space as an interior that expresses your style (instead of retreating into a white-washed space). This patchwork curtain, inspired by the Korean art of Bojagi, resembles a quilted textile for your shower, putting a crafty spin on an underrated area of your home.

The scalloped edges on this curtain invoke a nautical style, and who wouldn’t want their shower to feel as peaceful as lounging by the ocean? The contrast stitching highlights the scalloped detail in four available colors reminiscent of the sea, sky, and sand.

Inspired by your recent trip to Lisbon, this white-and-blue shower curtain will certainly help curb any new obsession with Portuguese tiles. If you want to add even more color, snag a complementary bath mat or towel set.

Art history buffs and museum dwellers alike will appreciate this vibrant design that pays homage to Henri Matisse’s 1911 oil painting The Pink Studio. It certainly beats looking at a mildewy liner every time you step in for a soak.

Consistently switching up your decor? This bright fabric shower curtain from Dusen Dusen is reversible, so you get two eye-catching designs in one. Plus, you can toss it in the washing machine when it needs a refresh.

Subdued stripes? Yes, please. This Ferm Livng option will make your bathroom look a little more buttoned-up and even comes with a water-repellant backing so it can live in your tub for years before getting completely slimed up with mildew.

We like this toile motif to give your washroom an English countryside feel (even if you’re deep in the city). Just keep in mind that this one’s dry-clean only, so you will need to take good care of it and air out the bathroom after showers.

Hookless shower curtains are simple options you can weave right over the shower curtain rod. This option features a crisp white background and a wide, transparent horizontal stripe at the top. The coolest part is that it comes with a replaceable snap-in polyethylene vinyl acetate liner that you can change out.

We think this design from Matouk is perfect for a home like Taylor Hill’s Nashville abode. If you consider luxury down to the last detail, the delicate print and Egyptian cotton percale should pique your interest.

Available in 11 different colors, this peekaboo curtain filters light through a mesh top while the opaque bottom ensures coverage. The design comes with a removable plastic liner that can easily be replaced when needed and ensures your bathroom floors stay dry.

This handsome pattern will add just enough visual interest to an otherwise dull space. It’s available in three variations of stripes that resemble a crisp button-up fabric, not to mention a great budget option at just under $40.

How Do You Care For Your Shower Curtain?

We’re no strangers to the mildew that relentlessly accumulates on the fringe of our shower curtains, no matter how careful we are with cracking the window or turning on the exhaust fan. Daily use and a humid temperatures are bound to bring bacteria (especially if you also enjoy a good steam shower). We recommend, of course, a plastic liner to keep the fabric from getting soaked and drawing your curtain all the way closed after a shower so it can air out as effectively as possible. We also suggest a monthly cleaning of your shower curtain. For machine washable curtains, it’s as easy as loading it in with your other linens, though more temperamental designs may require a wipe-down and a spot-clean. And we always recommend a hang dry for shower curtains, as they can get wrinkled, bundled, and worn out in the dryer. If the mildew stains are super pesky, try a mix of Borax and lemon juice and apply to your curtain before washing.