Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

This simple change will make your bathroom feel ultra luxurious

Here are some creative ways to hang your bathroom towels to enhance your space

modern bathroom with round mirror
New Africa / Shutterstock

Whether you’ve recently updated your bathroom or you’re looking for a few quick and easy ways to give it a refresh, there’s one little change you can make that could have a big impact on the look and feel of your bathroom—your towels. Changing colors, replacing worn or threadbare towels with new and plush ones, and even changing the way you fold and display your towels all have an impact on how your bathroom looks and how it makes you feel.  

Gather those scrawny hand towels and remove the damp towels your kids have strewn across the floor. This is how to hang towels in a bathroom to elevate the aesthetic of the space.

stack of bathroom towels on bed
Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock

A few basics towel facts

When it comes to what makes a superior towel, it’s really a subjective call. Some people like their towels thick and plush, and others prefer thinner but more absorbent towels. The New York Times researched hundreds of different towels and tested dozens to pick the very best towels available today. Some were pricey, others were budget-friendly, but all were judged by the same four criteria:

  1. Size. Were they large enough to envelop you without being cumbersome?
  2. Ability to dry you after your shower. Did they get the job done?
  3. The wash test. How did they handle repeated washings and dryings? Did they fray or shrink?
  4. Air drying. How long did a towel stay soggy after getting wet?

Which towels are ideal for you is a matter of personal preference. But if you’re doing a towel overhaul, stick with the same towels and the same colors or color palette to really enhance the aesthetic of your bathroom.

How often should you change your towels?

It is recommended that bath towels be changed about once a week to avoid microorganism growth. Hand towels should be changed even more frequently, as they tend to stay damp.

How many towels do you need in your bathroom?

Most people use about two sets of towels per person, per week. A towel set usually includes a bath towel (or larger bath sheet, if you prefer), hand towel, and washcloth. 

How many towels do you need in your linen closet?

Your linen closet should include three bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths for each person in your household, giving you an ample supply for rotating and having some available on laundry days. 

What is the best towel color?

The best towel color is no color at all. If you’re upgrading your towels, go with a classic and opt for all-white. White towels will match your bathroom, no matter what color it is. Additionally, they are easier to clean, won’t fade like colored towels could, and will match any other towels you have now or may buy in the future.

white towel hanging on bathroom towel ladder
ben bryant / Shutterstock

How to hang towels in the bathroom

Should you hang your towel in the bathroom? There’s nothing wrong with stacking clean towels, but if you’re limited on space or just want to add some interest to your bathroom’s design, you can’t go wrong with hanging them. How you hang towels in your bathroom can help to elevate the look of the room. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but it can make a difference in your bathroom style.

The basic method

Step One: Using a flat surface (make sure it’s clean first!), spread the towel so the ends line up neatly.

Step Two: Fold the towel into thirds by folding each long edge toward the middle until both edges touch in the center. Make sure the tag is on the inside. Once the towel is properly folded, drape it over the towel bar.

Step Three: Adjust the hanging ends of the towel until they are even. If you’re using a wide-width bar that accommodates more than one hanging towel, be sure to keep the towels separated to prevent mold and mildew. 

Step Four: Hang a hand towel over the bath towel. Using the same flat folding method, fold your hand towel vertically into thirds. Once it’s folded, drape it over the bath towel. Make sure towels are color-coordinated. 

A few more ideas

For wet towels (particularly in smaller bathrooms) an over-the-door towel hook will keep the wet towel (mostly) hidden, easily accessible, and help the towel air dry so it’s ready for the next shower. 

Baskets can house rolled-up towels to be both decoratively pleasing and practical for bathrooms that don’t have a linen closet nearby. Keep colors consistent or coordinated, and keep towels tightly rolled for neatness. 

A towel ladder is a unique and stylish way to display several towels on one clever unit and works particularly well in space-challenged bathrooms. The design allows the towel room to air dry while adding to the style of your bathroom. 

Folded towels on a bathroom shelf
WichitS / Shutterstock

How do you display towels decoratively?

If you want to amp up your bathroom’s aesthetic for an ultra-luxurious appeal, hanging and displaying decorative towels is a fantastic choice. Decorative towels likely won’t be used and instead are purely for enhancing your interior design. When choosing a decorative towel, you’ll want to pick a print, color, and style that suits your existing style. Decorative towels are great for adding accent tones or building upon your color palette. If you use neutral-colored towels for your bathroom needs, then most decorative towels should pair well with your existing linens as a backdrop.

You can use decorative towels and hand towels to adorn your bathroom for the seasons or choose something that will enhance the space all year round. Custom embroidered towels can be great for that hotel-luxe feel. Or, add a fun, colorful print for a more eclectic and “homey” look. Layer your decorative towels over the top of your normal bath towels on drying racks and bars. Or, fold them up nicely to sit on shelves or counters where they can be displayed.

When you’re updating your bathroom or just trying to make a few small changes, don’t overlook your towels and towel display methods. With just a few simple tricks, you can instantly improve the look and functionality of your bathroom without spending a fortune. 

Editors' Recommendations

Kim Renta
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kim has written for Bloomingdales, Movado, and various e-commerce wine sites. When she's not writing about wine and…
Keep your pool house tidy with these simple organization ideas
Tips for creating clever storage solutions to organize pool toys and chemicals in your pool house
Backyard pool with pool house on the side

Summertime means opening the pool house doors for the first time since winter. Chances are, you’ll have to embark on some late "spring cleaning" to get your pool supplies and equipment in order. But once it’s organized, you’ll also want to ensure it stays that way all summer. This will make it easier to find what you need, keep your kids safe, and have your pool supplies on hand all summer long.

So, we’re offering some tips for creating clever storage solutions to organize pool toys and chemicals in your pool house so you can get back to enjoying afternoons poolside.

Read more
How to declutter your home this summer: The ultimate checklist
Don’t let your old clutter pile up. Instead, follow this list to stay on top of your organization
Person organizing boxes in their finished attic

Have you ever embarked on a big decluttering spree only to wind up finding extra boxes and broken items that you had meant to throw out but you forgot about them during the chore? Then, you end up shoving these items into the back of the closet or hiding them in the attic for your next decluttering craze. But what happens when you continuously neglect to master your decluttering sessions? As the items pile up, it seems like this task becomes endless.

That’s why we’re offering you the ultimate checklist so you can know how to declutter your home. Don’t let your old clutter pile up. Instead, follow this list to stay on top of your organization.

Read more
DIY home decor: This bathroom tray looks high end but costs less than $5 to make
We adore this inexpensive bathroom tray and how easy it is to replicate
Modern bathroom with round mirror

Everyone loves a good do-it-yourself project, especially when it saves you a ton of money and looks like it was bought at a high-end store. You don't have to be an expert builder or even that educated in DIY in general with all of the millions of YouTube and TikTok videos done by non-experts that are willing to walk us all through the steps to put something together. This DIY bathroom tray from TikToker "woman.of.gold" is both of those, costing less than $5 and giving that high-end vibe that everyone wants in a bathroom.
How to pull it off
Woman.of.gold wrote that the "plastic plate was only £1.49" and "the tea light holders only 50p each" so the total cost was £3.49 (approximately $4.34) since she already had the paint and baking soda at home. (And even if you don't have those supplies, a little paint and baking soda won't add too much to your total cost.

https://www.tiktok.com/@woman.of.gold/video/7197510192395717893

Read more