No More Basic Bathtub Curtain: The Space-Saving Alternative At Home Depot That Adds Storage

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Small bathrooms all have one thing in common: They lack storage. No matter how well organized you are, it's difficult to fit all of the hair tools, makeup bags, shampoo bottles, cleaning supplies, and rolls of toilet paper in those tiny cabinets. Maybe you've already tried to add more shelves, trolleys, and other clever ways to make your small bathroom work better, but you end up lacking space. What if we told you your shower curtain was a secret storage space in your small bathroom that you were forgetting to maximize? 

Take the Zenna Home Waterproof PEVA Shower Curtain and Bath Organizer. That's right, the shower curtain itself is what holds the mess. Picture a regular shower curtain that's made of waterproof PEVA, except it has mesh storage pockets that you can use for the clutter you're looking to store away. There are nine pockets in total: four small ones, three medium ones, and two large ones. The smaller pockets measure 7 inches by 8 inches, the medium ones 10 inches by 12 inches, while the larger pockets are 13 inches by 14 inches. The shower curtain itself is standard size, measuring 70 inches by 72 inches.

Those pockets, it's worth noting, can only hold about 1 pound of weight each. Family-size shower products, for example, can easily exceed that weight limit. So it's best to use the curtain for lightweight items like hair brushes, combs, and small face creams. This also means that the curtain rod that's holding this contraption in place needs to be fairly sturdy and not one of those tension or flimsy curtain rods. Ideally, this would work best with curtain rods that are screwed into the walls and that can withstand a total of 9 pounds. 

So how does one use a storage unit that's built into their shower curtain? Well, the first question is whether to face the storage inwards or outwards. Technically, this shower curtain can be mounted either way, but when facing inwards, the pockets will get wet with every shower. While they're made of breathable mesh, moisture is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. If you're concerned about this and want to get rid of mold in your home, set up the pockets facing outwards to keep them dry, and avoid placing wet things inside (wet shampoo bottles, wet hair brushes, loofahs). Instead, use it for dry things that won't harvest moisture: serums, face creams, makeup brushes, nail care products, and the like.

If you do decide to use the pockets facing inwards so that you can use it to store bottles of shampoo, soap, and other shower items, there are some ways you can help prevent mold. First and foremost, make sure to leave the curtain completely closed after the shower so that no excess water gets trapped between the folds (this is true for any shower curtain, not just this one). Another tip is to leave a spray bottle in your shower with equal parts water and white vinegar, and to spray it onto the shower curtain and into the pockets after every shower. And, of course, regularly inspect the curtain to make sure it's mold-free. 

In addition, some of the reviews of the curtain-organizer note that once full of stuff, it becomes a bit difficult to open and close. This isn't a deal breaker, but worth keeping in mind, especially if you have a tight bathroom where it's hard to get in and out of the shower already.