For a successful bathroom window treatment you have to balance beauty and practicality, as William Morris said "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". The beautiful part is usually easy but the useful part is a challenge when you need a fabric that can last in high humidity. First, unfortunately, you should discount any natural fabric as cotton, silk and linen are all highly absorbent and will encourage mold.

Synthetic fabrics will wash better and absorb less moisture, and although not as luxurious you can get some quality imitations if you really must have your en suite as glamorous and your boudoir! So polyester is actually a good option for once!

When considering what to put at the window remember the more tight folds in your fabric the less air will get to it, so roman blinds/drapes and roller blinds will be breeding grounds for molds. Softly draped fabrics will let the air get to them and be a great contrast to the harsh formality of the tiling and also you can add extra length to help combat shrinkage caused by regular washing. Lining is always recommended to preserve fabrics, but cotton linings are absorbent and will hold moisture close to the fabric, blackout linings are waterproof but this mean the water stays on the surface and condenses there, which encourages black spotting. Try perhaps a dressmaking lining in a polyester satin, as this will be non absorbent, colourfast and will thicken your drapes or curtains.

Why not consider some of the more elegant stick on lace transfers to imitate frosted glass, you can even get frosting spray and stencils to customize the surface of the window.

Another useful option to consider is using a waterproofing spray,this works better on thicker fabrics, as it can leave a waxy residue but can be quite effective when carefully applied.

Try all the tricks you can to keep the room dry, a ventilation fan could be handy or open the windows to air the room after use. Perhaps consider houseplants that draw water from the atmosphere (this is a little out of my field though!)

As bathroom windows are often smaller a useful trick can be to buy a pair of curtains double the size you need and use each one separately as a single curtain draped to one side and replace it with its partner when you need to wash the first.

A popular trend is now lined voile curtains, although as a professional curtain maker these cheaper factory options make me shudder, they are a sensible option for a wet area as they are synthetic, lightweight, soft and good for draping.

Adding soft furnishings for a humid area will always be tricky , but if you are sensible in your fabric choice and are willing to wash them regularly to prevent watermarks and mold and keep the room as well aired as possible you can prolong the attractiveness of your preferred choice and soften this often cold area of your home.

Learn more about this author, Phillippa Meadows.
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