Ditch Basic Bathtub Curtains: This Stylish Alternative Doesn't Need A Liner

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It's hard to achieve zen spa vibes in the bathroom when you're dealing with a shower curtain that won't cooperate. The drape might look cute, but perhaps it's building up mildew, or the accompanying plastic liner is sticking to you in the midst of a shampoo session and letting water spill all over the floor. Not exactly ideal. If you're in search of shower curtain alternatives that don't require a liner (or much maintenance), Amazon has an option worth exploring. 

The South to East folding shower curtain clocks in at 72 inches high by 72 inches wide, and can make your morning shower feel more manageable. The brand touts that the pre-pleated fan has "Nano Waterproof Technology" that ensures droplets roll off into the tub, making a liner unnecessary. Most customers find the curtain functional, contains water well, and doesn't leave behind streaks the way a glass shower door can. Shoppers with mobility issues particularly enjoy the heavier-than-ordinary curtain's ability to prevent excessive overspray and make the space feel more accessible. One problem comes in the form of assembly: Several reviewers reported struggling with the magnetic attachment that is meant to piece the curtain together, or found that the magnets are simply too weak.

The linen-polyester mix might look like an average shower curtain at first glance, but its heavy-duty design is meant to eliminate excessive bathroom clean-up and reduce maintenance. Since it doesn't require a liner, you won't need to replace a mildewy, plastic curtain (or wrestle with one). The heavier weight means less wiping up of excessive amounts of water on the bathroom floor compared with flimsier curtains. To fight bacteria buildup and funky odors on this particular purchase, there isn't much to do, and you won't find yourself un-attaching the curtain from the rod. A quick steam clean is all it'll take to keep the gross factor down (note: it's not machine washable). When not in use, the accordion-style pleats fold to 1.6 inches thick with a tieback.

Functionality aside, the piece also ties in with today's bathroom trends. As homeowners are attempting to make their W.C. feel more like the rest of the house in terms of aesthetics, it's good to have a practical accessory on hand that prevents water build-up and keeps mess and mildew in check while experimenting with style, especially as we're seeing an uptick in personalized tiles and return of wallpaper in bathrooms.