Rookie Mistakes: a series of common decor mistakes made by rookies… aka us. And no we are not judging because we have made (and continue to make) these mistakes too!

• Rookie Mistake #1: Couch Pillows
• Rookie Mistake #2: Shower Curtains
• Rookie Mistake #3: Generic Home Decor
• Rookie Mistake #4: Carnations
• Rookie Mistake #5: Decorating with Picture Frames
• Rookie Mistake #6: Shop First, Plan Second
• Rookie Mistake #7: Hanging Curtains
• Rookie Mistake #8: Matching Furniture
• Rookie Mistake #9: Over-the-door Hooks & Mirrors
• Rookie Mistake #10: Hanging Wall Art
• Rookie Mistake #11: Buying the Wrong Size Rug
• Rookie Mistake #12: Fireplace Mantel Decorating
• Rookie Mistake #13: Displaying Throw Blankets
• Rookie Mistake #14: Countertop Clutter
• Rookie Mistake #15: Rules for Lighting
• Rookie Mistake #16: Not So Secret Storage
• Rookie Mistake #17: Too Many Quotes
• Rookie Mistake #18: Scale & Proportion

Remember the Rookie Mistakes series is a NO JUDGEMENT ZONE. We’ve both made ALL of these decorating mistakes in our own homes, and simply want you to learn from us so you can make your home look amazing without having to make the mistakes we did!

Rookie Mistake – Shower Curtain Height

See anything wrong with my shower curtain? I’ve got to be honest, I really didn’t see anything wrong with this shower curtain. Until now…. when I look back at this photo and am a little horrified that I didn’t address this rookie mistake earlier. Am I expecting my bathroom to flood? <– because my shower curtain is ready for it!

I grew up in a house that had zero shower curtains. No, we were not just showering in the open, more like all of our showers had glass doors on them so we never had a need for shower curtains. And no, we didn’t grow up in a large, glamorous house, more like a modest ranch with lots of extended family in the plumbing biz. The only time I experienced shower curtains growing up was in hotels and college, and both places’ shower curtains creeped me out. They made the shower so dark and eww… I just wasn’t a fan!

When I moved into our house, I had no choice but to join Team Shower Curtain (ugh). To say I was a rookie on that team was an understatement. I bought a clean white shower curtain and liner and called it a day. Since then, Casey has always encouraged me to upgrade to an XL Shower Curtain so that the curtain isn’t “flood length” and so the curtain could hang higher, creating the illusion that the ceilings are taller than they actually are.

Per usual, I should have taken her advice….. two years ago! I’ve been living with this standard shower curtain (which I really loved by the way) & not doing our small bathroom any favors.

The Right Height for your Shower Curtain

I recently broke down and traded our standard shower curtain in for an XL curtain and liner and boy am I glad that I did!

I found mine in stores at Bed, Bath & Beyond (but there wasn’t a huge selection for XL in stores and they were HIDDEN so you may want to ask or really dig). However, there are TONS to choose from online, not just from Bed, Bath, and Beyond either. Almost all online places that sell shower curtains offer online XL options, so I’m sure there is one that fits your bathroom’s decor.

I don’t really feel like these photos do it justice because in person, the new curtain makes SUCH a difference! No more flood length curtain.

The ceilings look taller, the curtain isn’t flood length, and the whole look just seems more complete/polished. I LOVE it! Even my mom, who still lives in that anti-shower curtain house, commented on what a difference the new curtain made. She’s even more of a shower curtain rookie than I am, so if she noticed it must have made a big difference!

I still am not 100% Team Shower Curtain but living with a shower curtain has gotten a little easier. Luckily we have a window in our shower so there’s lots of light in there and the shower curtain isn’t as dark and scary as the hotels I remember growing up. Hehe, and no…. you can’t see in or out of the shower window.

Please… someone, tell me I’m not the only Shower Curtain Rookie around here. I can’t be the only one rocking a flooded curtain, can I? #rookiemistakes

Bridget