How to Hang and Display Towels in Your Bathroom: 10 Ways

When it comes to bathroom accessories, towels are one of the most important yet least-considered items on the list.

Imagine if you had to wash your hands day in and day out with your hand towel hanging on the bathroom’s opposite wall. As you rush over to it, you might drop water on the floor, which could regularly make your socks wet. Perhaps a bit more serious, if you were to step out of the shower each morning and walk across the bathroom to grab your hanging towel, you might leave larger puddles on the floor, which could pose a safety risk if someone slips.

No matter who you are or where you live, hanging towels in the bathroom is a must. The information below will tell you not just how to hang towels and racks but also how to hang towels decoratively.

What Is A Hand Towel?

We’re glad you asked, because not all towels are the same. You might know that bathroom hand towels are typically 15”x25” to 18”x30” in size, but did you know that they’re often made from cotton-based terrycloth to help increase absorbency? Like bath towels and bath sheets, which typically measure 27”x52” and 35”x60” respectively, they’re constructed to dry you—or at least your hands and face—when you’re wet.

Hand towels come in an assortment of colors, and while they typically match your bath towels or sheets, you’re always free to get creative and try complementary colors.

How To Hang and Display Bathroom Towels

You might be asking: What are the best options for hanging towels in the bathroom? You don’t have to be an interior-decorating guru to learn how to hang hand towels in a way that’s both functional and pleasing to the eye. If you’re not looking to break the bank, you can hang bathroom towels in the following ways:

1. Use a Towel Ring

Towel rings are a classic option for hanging hand towels in a small bathroom with limited wall space. To hang towels on a ring, do the following:

1. Place the towel on a flat surface, front down.
2. Smooth out any wrinkles.
3. Fold the towel vertically into thirds so that it makes a thin rectangle. 
4. Loop the towel through the ring with its decorative side facing out (or the seam side facing the wall). 

2. Use a Towel Bar

While towel bars often take up more wall space than towel rings, they come in various lengths and can sometimes fit multiple towels. To hang towels on a bar, do the following:

1. Set the towel on a flat surface, front down.
2. Flatten it out to remove wrinkles.
3. Fold the towel vertically into thirds so it makes a long, thin rectangle.
4. For bath towels or sheets, fold it in half again, this time lengthwise.
5. Loop the towel over the bar with roughly ⅓ hanging off the back, and ⅔ hanging off the front.
6. Make sure the towel’s decorative side is facing outward.

3. Use a Towel Hook

Out of all your bathroom towel hanging options, towel hooks take up the least amount of wall space. Some even come with two hooks attached so you can hang two towels. To hang towels on a hook, do the following:

1. Set the towel on a flat surface with the decorative side facing up.
2. Using your fingers, pinch the center of the top side and lift.
3. Set the towel on the hook.
4. Pull the sides down to assure the folds hang symmetrically.

4. Hang on a Ladder

These are not just for climbing anymore. You can lean a wooden ladder against an empty wall to hang towels decoratively in a way where they won’t overlap. Here’s how to set one up in your bathroom:

1. Lean a ladder that can double as a small bathroom towel rack against a free spot on your bathroom wall.
2. Make sure the ladder is leaning diagonally enough so that towels won’t touch each other when hanging on the rungs. 
3. Drap folded towels over the rungs.
4. If your ladder is wide enough, you might even be able to fit two towels on each rung, side by side.
5. Make sure the ladder won’t get in the way of your bathroom door.

5. Use Baskets

Baskets are an easy option to decoratively store bathroom towels. They can make great towel holders and come in all shapes, sizes, and styles—just pick one that fits with your taste and budget. You can put wall-mounted baskets on the wall, attach them to a ladder-style rack (see above!), hang them on the bathroom door, or simply place them in an empty spot on the floor. Here’s what to do:

1. Buy or procure baskets that match (or add to) your bathroom’s decor.
2. Place the baskets strategically around the bathroom in the way you choose.
3. Fold your towels, and place them in the baskets.

6. Fold Them

If you have a linen closet, shelving, a cupboard, or even new baskets like we mentioned above, you can simply fold and place your towels as a great storage option. Fold them using the method you prefer, and then: 

1. Stack them.
2. Place them in a spot where you’ll have easy access.
3. Make sure the stacks stay nicely organized as time passes.

7. Use a Towel Rack

Towel racks can be very handy for hanging towels in the small bathroom. Some can even be powered and heated, which not only dries your towels faster but also makes them warm to the touch. This can feel amazing after a shower, particularly in the winter. To hang towels on a rack, do the following:

1. Follow the same folding method you would use for a towel ring or bar (this can vary depending on the size of the towel). 
2. Drape the towel over whatever rung is most convenient on the drying rack.
3. Make sure to space your towels out so they’re not draping over each other. This will help them dry faster.
4. If your drying rack is powered, switch it on, and set it to a temperature that will warm and dry your towels.

8. Use Cubbies

Cubbies are like shelves, only smaller and cuter! Whether they’re built into your bathroom walls or wall mounted like a shelf, they can be a great way to store rolled-up (but ready-to-use) bathroom towels. Here’s how to incorporate them into your bathroom design:

1. Choose a set of cubbies that will enhance your bathroom decor.
2. Either mount the set of cubbies to the wall (if you don’t have a shelf to hold the cubbies) or make sure they’re finished and ready to set towels in (if they’re built into your bathroom’s structure).
3. Fold or roll your towels.
4. Place them in the cubbies for easy access!  

9. Use a Towel Hammock

Hammocks aren’t just for lying around in. For a unique option to store your towels, consider using a small hammock, similar to what some people might store fruits and vegetables in. If you can find one that will fit your towels, do the following:

1. Hang the hammock in your bathroom. Note that this may require you to use wall mounted hooks in the wall!
2. Fold and roll up your towels. 
3. Place the towels in the hammock in a way that balances the hammock.
4. Enjoy your unique towel storage look!

10. Use Flower Pots

If you want to give your bathroom an outdoorsy, garden-like feel, consider using one or more terracotta flower pots of varying sizes to store your towels. These will work best in a bathroom that has enough space to store circular pots where they won’t get in the way. Here’s what to do:

1. Buy one or more terracotta flower pots that will fit your towels. Make sure they’re light enough not to crack your bathroom floor tile!
2. Put the pots in your bathroom where they’ll be handy but won’t get in the way.
3. Fold or roll up your towels.
4. Place the towels in the pot.  

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Contrary to what you might have thought, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to hanging towels in a bathroom. Whether you’re fully remodeling your bathroom, simply wanting to update the decor, or even installing a bathroom fan, there are endless bathroom-related tasks Taskers can help with!