Read the directions that come with your shower rod. Different shower rods have different sets of hardware and different installation strategies. To determine how to use your curved shower rod, consult the directions that come with it.

At the opposite end, ensure your rod is not so high that the bottom of the shower curtain is above the edge of the tub. Measure the height of your shower curtain. This is a great way to make sure your shower curtain rod is placed at the right height.

If your bathroom ceiling is so low that you will be unable to install the curved shower rod at the appropriate height, modify your shower curtains so that they are short enough that they won’t bunch up on the bottom of the tub.

For instance, if your curved shower rod is 50 inches long, and your shower enclosure is 48 inches wide, cut one inch off each end of the shower rod. When measuring the length of the shower rod, measure from end to end, not along the curved length.

If you’re installing a curved shower rod over a curved tub edge, position it in such a way that the curve of the rod aligns with the curve of the tub. [6] X Research source

It is also a good idea to check the rod with a level. Place the level on top of the shower rod to ensure that the flanges will be even. Some curved shower rods don’t need flanges installed, and instead feature extendable “feet” that can be pressed directly against the walls of your shower or bathroom. This is called a tension rod and it is held in place by a spring that pushes the ends of the rod outwards. However, these rods do not stay up as well as shower rods that you mount on the wall. You can use felt pads between the end of the rod and the wall to help them stay put. Consult manufacturer directions for more information.

Drill slowly at first to avoid having your drill slip on the tile. Once your drill is through the tile, you will need to place an anchor through the tile to prevent it from cracking. If your shower enclosure has acrylic siding, don’t drill through it. Instead, drill the mounting holes into the finished wall either above or just outside the shower enclosure.

Try to find studs to screw your flanges into. You can use a stud finder to do this. It will make it possible for the shower rod to hold more weight and you will not need to use anchors.

Consult manufacturer directions for more information about how to fasten the curved rod to the flanges.