Install a Curved Shower Curtain Rod to Instantly Create More Space in the Shower

By installing a curved shower curtain rod, you can dramatically increase the amount of room in your shower.

A curved curtain rod is a simple piece of hardware that can be installed without much difficulty.

This is obviously a much simpler endeavor than remodeling the bathroom, and it provides instant results!

The curved shower curtain rod curves away from the bathtub, drawing the shower curtain back, rather than allowing it to drop straight down or even a bit inward the way a standard straight curtain rod does.

The result is that the "wall" created by the shower curtain moves outward approximately 6-10 inches, depending on the exact design of the particular curtain rod you choose.

The difference inside the shower is remarkable! With a curved shower curtain rod, the shower no longer feels tight and cramped. You can easily stick out your elbows and move around without constantly bumping into the shower curtain. If feels much more spacious and pleasant.

I was personally amazed by the difference after installing a curved curtain rod in the shower, and mine only provides an additional 6 inches of space!

It was a vast improvement for a very modest investment of time and money. Good quality curved shower curtain rods sell for $20-$50, and it took about a half-hour or 45 minutes to install, from taking out the tools to cleaning everything up.

Installation is pretty simple and straightforward. First, remove the old curtain rod using a screwdriver. A putty knife or other strong, slender object may be necessary to pry the old curtain rod away from the wall.

The new curved shower curtain rod then goes into the walls using screws. You'll have to drill holes in order to screw the curtain rod to the wall. (See below for a helpful video about using a drill to make these holes.) The holes will be drilled either into studs in the wall or into drywall using anchors. All hardware, including anchors, are typically - but not always - included in the packaging.

It is definitely easier to have a second person to help with installation. The curtain rod isn't heavy, but it is rather long and needs to be held in place until firmly attached to the wall.

If there's a stud in the wall where the curtain rod will be attached, drill holes that are a bit smaller than the size of the screws, then attach the curtain rod. Wood screws are best for this job.

If you're drilling into drywall and using anchors to support the weight of the curtain rod, then the holes should be the size of the anchors or perhaps slightly larger. You'll need medium- or heavy-weight anchors to support the curtain rod. Three kinds of anchors to consider are nylon toggle, metal toggle bolt, and expandable metal. The curtain rod may well include anchors in the packaging.

Once the curved shower curtain rod is securely in place, attach the hooks and shower curtain.

I recommend an eco-friendly curtain and liner, both of which can be easily cleaned in a washing machine and will last for years.

You can use the same size curtain and liner that fit the old straight rod. They won't come down as far into the shower tub, but they will certainly rest low enough in the tub to do their job with room to spare.