Swap Your Basic Bathtub Curtain For A Thrifted Upcycle With More Character

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Whether for a window treatment or a bed crown canopy, fabric spilling luxuriantly onto the floor has often been a symbol of wealth and status. But these days, the look is a lot more accessible than it was during the Victorian era. This vintage style is having a moment, and floor-to-ceiling curtains are one of 2026's top shower design trends, so combining them is a no-brainer. If you sew, an easy way to get this look is to attach a thrifted tablecloth onto your existing bathtub curtain to make it longer. It's an affordable and unique update to your bathroom that gives it a lot more character than most bathroom curtains will.

While there are plenty of extra-tall shower curtains out there to help you achieve the trendy floor-to-ceiling style, if you want something that brings a little more personality, texture, or dimension to your bathroom decor, a DIY with old tablecloths is the way to go. One of the best sources of material from a thrift store, old tablecloths come in a variety of unique patterns and textures. Use whatever looks pleasing to you, and mix and match the colors and weaves to get a deeper, layered aesthetic. Tablecloths can even be dyed or used to make magical cyanotypes, otherwise known as sun printing, so keep your eye out for anything light colored that can be used for that kind of upcycle.

Standard shower curtains are 72 inches wide, but measure yours before you go shopping, and bring a seamstress tape with you, since not all thrift stores measure linens before putting them on the shelves. The best fabric is cotton or linen, with a shower curtain liner on the inside doing the work of keeping it dry. Lace is another way to dress up a basic shower curtain with thrift store finds, especially since lightweight materials are easier on your curtain rod. Whether you add strips of tablecloth to the top or the bottom, you can use different fabrics to create the layered effect. You can also go with two different colors, add a fringe, or sew a patchwork design.

Trim the existing hems off the tablecloth and curtain where they'll meet so the finished result hangs smoothly, and make sure they're the same width. For seams, pin the right sides of the fabric together and use two parallel straight stitches for double the strength. You can also use a no-sew method with a heavy-duty Modern Teknik Tekstil Iron-on Hemming Tape. When adding strips of fabric for length, take the bottom hem into account, unless the tablecloth has a finished hem or a lacey or scalloped edge that you can use as-is. Another curtain hack that makes even cheap panels look high-end is to add drapery weights. The finished shower curtain should just kiss the floor, but if you want a more deliberate pool of fabric, you can add a couple of extra inches.