What Are the Best Blinds for Bathrooms? Choosing the Best Option

Privacy is important when it comes to choosing window coverings, and it’s even more crucial when selecting the best blinds for the bathroom. Below, we offer four tips for selecting the best window treatments for your water closet and highlight our three favorite blinds for the bathroom: faux wood blinds, mini blinds and vinyl roller shades.

Key Takeaways

• Faux wood, aluminum, and vinyl resist mildew in humid bathrooms and wipe down easily.
• Full window coverings provide stronger privacy; top-down bottom-up admits light but may still allow outside views.
• Frosted glass admits light while offering limited privacy; blinds add more privacy and light control.
• Top choices include faux wood (moisture-resistant and stylish), mini blinds (durable), and vinyl roller shades.
• Maintenance typically involves quarterly cleaning with a one-to-one water and vinegar solution to reduce mold.

Consider the material carefully.

Due to the high humidity of bathrooms, you need to select the material of your blinds carefully. Fabric shades will trap water, staining quickly and potentially mildewing. Wood tends to warp and crack when exposed to prolonged moisture, and it can also mildew as well. When choosing blinds for the bathroom, you should prioritize faux wood, aluminum and vinyl as your blind materials. Not only are these types of blinds mildew-resistant, they can also be wiped down very easily with cleaning solutions, which is a must for bathroom blinds.

Faux Wood Blinds Are Great for Mildew Resistance!

Go for full window coverage.

While you might only want partial window coverings to maximize the light in other rooms of your house, you’ll want full window treatments in the bathroom for privacy reasons. Some people do like top-down, bottom-up window treatments that let in the light at the top, but these are generally only a good idea if the bathroom is on the top floor or you don’t have neighbors nearby. Otherwise, neighbors on the top floor of their home might be able to see down into your bathroom. When in doubt, always go for full window coverage in the bathroom.

Think about supplementing frosted glass.

Some bathroom windows come with permanently frosted glass. You can also frost a window yourself using spray paint or temporarily create a frosted window using window clings specifically designed for bathrooms. While these frosted windows do let in some light, they still don’t offer as much privacy as blinds. Even if you already have frosted glass in your bathroom, you still might want to consider adding blinds for even more privacy and light control.

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Wipe them down regularly.

You should regularly clean all your blinds, but this is especially important for bathroom blinds since they are subjected to so much moisture and humidity. Every few months–once a quarter is a good goal to shoot for–create a 1:1 water and vinegar solution. Use it to spray down the blinds and then wipe off excess moisture with a paper towel or clean rag. Regular maintenance of your bathroom blinds will fight off mold and mildew and make your blinds last longer.

Now that you know how to choose bathroom blinds and how to take care of them, you’re ready to buy! Here are our top three picks for the best blinds for the bathroom:

Faux Wood

Faux wood is one of the best blinds for the bathroom due to its moisture resistance, durability, affordability and sophisticated styling. If you have real wood blinds in the rest of your house and want the bathroom to match, faux wood is the way to go. These blinds offer a classic styling that blends with literally any decor while providing excellent privacy and lighting control. These blinds are made of a blend of PVC and wood that holds up well in moist bathroom environments.

Mini Blinds

If you need super durable and affordable blinds for the bathroom, mini blinds should be your top choice. Made of coated aluminum, these blinds are super resistant to moisture and mildew and can withstand tough use. They’re also very easy to wipe down and disinfect. Due to the smaller size of the slats, they fit very well in bathroom windows which tend to be smaller than windows in the rest of the house. If your bathroom windows are odd dimensions, you might need to opt for custom blinds.

Vinyl Roller Shades

If you want blinds that can be completely rolled out of the way when the bathroom isn’t in use, vinyl roller shades are a good option. Regular fabric absorbs moisture and can be slow to dry, but vinyl repels water, making these blinds more moisture-resistant–not to mention they can be wiped down with disinfectant very easily. Just make sure to let them dry before rolling them up so the layers of vinyl don’t trap moisture.

Keep these three options in mind as you shop for the best blinds for your bathroom. If you’ve made your selection and you’re ready to buy, check out our guide that explains how to measure for blinds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which blind materials are best for bathrooms?

Faux wood, aluminum and vinyl are recommended because they resist moisture and mildew and are easy to wipe clean. Avoid fabric and real wood, which can trap water, stain, warp, or mildew.

Should bathroom windows have full coverage or can I use partial window treatments?

Full window coverage is recommended for privacy in bathrooms. Top-down, bottom-up styles can work only if the bathroom is on an upper floor or there are no nearby neighbors.

How often should I clean bathroom blinds to prevent mold and mildew?

Wipe bathroom blinds regularly and aim to deep-clean them about once a quarter. Use a 1:1 water and vinegar solution to spray and then wipe off excess moisture to help prevent mold and mildew.

Which blind styles fit small or unusually sized bathroom windows?

Mini blinds fit well in smaller bathroom windows thanks to their narrow slats, and vinyl roller shades are an option when you want the shade rolled completely out of the way. If your window has odd dimensions, you may need custom blinds; see our guide on how to measure blinds and shades.