Skip to content

What type of blinds are best for bathrooms?

Katie Kertesz
  • Katie Kertesz
  • Consultant

In short

Bathrooms are wet and humid, so the best window treatments are moisture-resistant and easy to clean — which makes blinds and shutters far more practical than curtains or fabric romans. Avoid real wood, which warps over time, and look to options like venetians, waterproof fabric blinds, shutters or top-down/bottom-up blinds for the right mix of privacy and light.

White venetian blinds on bathroom windows above a freestanding tub with a wooden towel shelf.

Blinds or shutters are the most practical option for bathrooms. They offer privacy control, durability against the bathroom’s damp environment, and they look good too. Here’s how to choose the right type of blind.

Because the bathroom is a wet, humid area practicality should be a priority. Whatever you choose needs to be heat and moisture resistant, easy to clean (because almost all bathrooms experience mould and mildew to some degree), and while it may seem small, be safe and easy to operate with wet hands.

That rules out curtains or fabric roman blinds.

Another material you may be surprised to learn isn’t bathroom friendly is wood. Tiny cracks in the wood let moisture in and eventually they warp. Once that happens there’s no quick or temporary fix, you’ll need to replace them. For those who love the natural materials look, consider bamboo or hunt down a quality faux wood finish.

Close-up of a white roller blind's control chain against a bright bathroom window.

Which blinds work best in a bathroom?

Venetians offer clean, straight lines and won’t warp, rust or tarnish. Plus you get all the privacy and light control you need.

Roller blinds are easy to use, offer great privacy, won’t warp, and are pretty easy to wash and maintain as long as you choose a light fabric, or one made from waterproof materials.

White plantation shutters on a bathroom window above a white tub and vanity.

Shutters are super stylish and a great alternative to a venetian. They’re easy to operate and you can get versions with lots of freedom to configure the slats for the perfect amount of privacy and light control.

Honeycomb blinds are known mainly for their insulating properties, however the reason they work in bathrooms is their ability to offer top down/bottom up operation. That means you can raise them from the bottom up for all the privacy you need while in the bathroom but still allow plenty of light to come in through the top of the window.

Black roller blind partly lowered in a bathroom with a white bathtub and mountain views.

Ready to find the right blinds for your home? Request a free in-home consultation and one of our local consultants will bring the samples to you, measure up, and give you a no-obligation quote.

Found this helpful? Share it with others…

Guides

Ivory woven-texture blockout roller blind lowered on a window with greenery outside.

Choosing the right blinds for your home

Not sure which blinds will suit your home? From blind types and key features to room-by-room advice, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Read the guide

Frequently asked questions

What are the best blinds for a bathroom?

Moisture-resistant, easy-to-clean options work best — venetians, roller blinds in a light or waterproof fabric, shutters, and top-down/bottom-up honeycomb blinds are all good choices for privacy and light control in a damp room.

Can I use wooden blinds in a bathroom?

Real wood is not ideal. Tiny cracks let moisture in and the blinds eventually warp, with no quick fix once that happens. If you love the natural look, consider bamboo or a quality faux wood finish instead.

Why are curtains not recommended for bathrooms?

Bathrooms are wet and humid, so window treatments need to resist heat and moisture and be easy to clean. Curtains and fabric roman blinds tend not to cope well in that environment, which is why blinds and shutters are the more practical choice.

How do top-down/bottom-up blinds help in a bathroom?

They can be raised from the bottom up, giving you full privacy where you need it while still letting plenty of light in through the top of the window — ideal for a bathroom.

Expert advice at home

We come to you, anywhere in New Zealand. Because your place is the best place to choose curtains and blinds.