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How Long Should Shower Curtain Be? (Quick Answers)

Bathrooms are an integral part of our homes. And believe it or not, the decor of your house speaks a lot about the kind of person you are. 

Now, the amount of attention you give to your living room, your bathroom decor also requires the same amount of attention.

When it comes to decorating the bathrooms, shower curtains are a must. They add a sleek look to your bathrooms and also provide you with privacy.

However, if you are a new homeowner or redecorating your bathroom, then you must be wondering how long should a shower curtain be? Having this question in your mind is quite normal, anyhow, finding the correct answer might be a bit tricky.

Therefore, we are here with the answers of this mind storming question. So, bear with us till the end to find all the answers.

Shower curtain length

The average length for shower curtains is 72-inches. According to the thumb rule, the curtains should be 75-77 inches above the ground. However, the size of the room and rings also have an impact. Moreover, this is just the right height for keeping the curtain from touching the ground.

Not everyone has the same taste, and not every house has the same ceiling length. Therefore, hanging shower curtains can be intimidating.

Apart from the height of the curtains the height of the curtain rod matters too. The rods must be hung 3-5 inches higher than the length of the curtains.

In case the curtains are hung too low, the curtains will drag on the floor and get engaged with germs and dirt. However, on the other hand, if the curtains are hung too high, they will look short.

Moreover, a shower curtain that is too short can invade your privacy. Additionally, the purpose will not be served.

Now, the good news is the size of the shower curtains are not fixed. You will have the flexibility to change and check the measurements as required. However, to give the curtains its ideal look, you need to ensure that you have placed the curtain the right way.

Additionally, you would need to do your own research and try different materials to figure out what suits your bathroom the best.

The measurements mentioned above is an average measure for bathroom shower curtains. However, the measurements are not fixed.

The lengths are flexible and can be used according to your personal preferences. Anyhow, there are some thumb rules that need to be followed while hanging a shower curtain.

These rules include that the curtain rod needs to be three-five inches higher than the rod. Additionally, the curtain should hang at least six inches past the rim of the bathtub.

These little things must be ensured while installing a shower curtain. Hanging the rod higher in the ceiling gives your bathroom a different look.

Moreover, it makes your ceiling wall look taller. This is something you can do if you want your bathroom to appear taller than it aesthetically is.

Moreover, if the curtain rods have been hung too high, then do not worry. You can also find extra-large shower curtains.

Additionally, you need to make sure that under no conditions the curtains are touching the ground. If the curtains touch the ground, it will drag and collect dust. Moreover, if the curtains touch the bathroom floors, there’s a chance that they will get stained easily.

Are shower curtains supposed to touch the floor?

Shower curtains are not supposed to touch the floor. Shower curtains are always meant to be hung higher from the grounds. The curtains can come closer to an inch or two towards the ground but not more than that.

In case the shower curtains are touching the floor, it will drag along all the dust and dirt present on the floor.

According to different bathroom settings, the installation for shower curtains are different for every bathroom.

However, the rule remains the same for all. The shower curtains must not drag on the ground. Overtime, the curtains will get stained as it will come in constant contact with moisture.

On the other hand, you would also want to make sure that the curtains are not hung too high. The curtain liner must not be hung higher as it will prevent the water from spilling out of the tub.

Therefore, the curtain should be hung to a length where it reaches to the tub lip. So, make sure your shower curtains are not touching the floor.

How far should shower curtain be from the floor?

Shower curtains should be 3-5 inches higher from the ground. The average length for shower curtains is 72 inches. Whereas they should be hung at the height of 75-77 inches from the floor. This measurement includes the height of the rod too.

According to the thumb rule, shower curtains must not touch the floor of the bathroom. However, various types of curtains require different installations.

There are multiple curtains. They have different manufacturing materials and have various installation procedures.

Most commonly used curtains are a combination of two types of curtains. An outer curtain and an inner curtain. The inner part is usually made of vinyl or plastic. This prevents the curtain from being affected by mold and debris.

However, if the curtains are not kept clean and sanitized then they are likely to get affected by germs and molds. On the other hand, the outer part is most decorative and this side adds an aesthetic to the interior of your bathroom.

ADA shower curtain length

ADA curtains are known to create an intrusion from warm air, insects, exhaust fumes and much more. Now, you have to bear in mind that, depending on the size of your bathroom you would need to choose the curtain length.

Usually, standard ADA curtains come in three sizes. They are one; 70 x 72, two; 70 x 72 and three; 72 x 72 inches.

Here are a few steps you can follow to determine the right ADA curtain length:

Measuring the width:

Before choosing the right sort of ADA shiwer curtain is not that tricky. Simply start with taking the measurement of width of the shower curtain. As you would want the curtain to move freely add extra 12-inches to the width measurement.

Measuring the length:

The next thing to do is measure the length of the curtain. While taking the measurements bear in mind that, the curtain should at least be 1-2 inches off the ground.

In case the curtains are too long, they will drag on the floor and cause the growth of mold and mildew over time. Additionally, if the curtains are much shorter than required, then water will escape from the tub and be all over the bathroom.

After taking the measurements you would want to subtract a 1-2 from the total length. And you are ready to buy your ADA shower curtains.

How to choose shower curtain size?

Here are a few steps you can follow to choose curtain size and installing them:

Measuring and marking:

First things first. You would want to start with measuring the width and length for getting your ideal sized curtains. Although the standard size for a shower curtain is 72-inches, the measurement requirement can be different for your bathrooms.

Once you have taken all the measurements, make small marks on the walls to avoid all sorts of accidents. Make sure you add extra 12 inches to the width of the curtain when taking measurements. This extra space will help the curtain to move easily.

Determining the rod placement:

Once you have taken all the measurements, it’s time to determine where the rod will go. Bear in mind that shower curtains need to be 1-2 inches off the ground. Therefore, the rod needs to be placed at the right height.

If the rod is not placed at the right height, the curtains can either get hung too high or too low. To avoid such situations, the rod placement needs to be done carefully.

Placing hooks on the curtain rod:

In most cases, shower curtains require curtain rods. Therefore, after placing the rods, it’s time to hang the hooks. Remember that the hooks would provide an extra inch or two to the length of the curtains.

This can also vary depending on the type of hooks you use to hang the curtains.

Hanging the curtains:

Now that you have done the hard part, it is time for you to hang the curtains. You can also use a liner if required. You can place the liner on the inner side and the curtain on the outer side. 

Final Thoughts

A standard size shower curtain would be 72-inches in length. However, the size of the curtain is customizable, and you can choose a different one if required. Depending on the height and placement of the curtain it may vary and you can use the size that works for you.