How to Hang Bathroom Towels

Last Updated: December 14, 2022 References

Hanging bathroom towels can be a challenge, especially if you are dealing with a small space. The good news is there are a whole host of space-conscious options for storing your bathroom towels efficiently. Correctly hanging your bathroom towels on hooks and racks will also prevent the development of unpleasant odors and mildew. Learning how to store your bathroom towels may even bring out your inner designer in new and creative ways!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Different Types of Racks

1
Use free standing racks to store many towels for family or guests. Standalone racks are a great option for hanging your towels when you lack enough room for wall racks. Hang towels in matching or coordinating colors (like light blue and green) on the rack’s bars. If your rack has shelves attached, stack folded towels on them or store a few shower items, like shampoo and body wash
2
Try leaning a ladder against the wall for a pretty, creative way to hang your towels.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Emma Oberlander
Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.}

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3
Store your towels on a shelf rack to create a luxurious touch. Fold and pile a set of plain towels to place on top of the rack. On the attached bar, hang towels in pretty patterns, or monogrammed with your family’s initials.^{[2]
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4
Hang your towels on small hooks for an attractive minimalist effect. Do not fold your towel before hanging it. Instead, spread your towel out horizontally, then drape it over the hook. The towel should form a neat, triangular shape when on the hook. Hooks are great for hanging wet towels, as they let towels dry more quickly with less chance of odor.^{[3]
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- A layered look is always nice! Think about layering a hand towel on top of a regular bath towel.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Angelica Savard
  Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
5
Fold your smaller towels on towel rings. Most towel rings aren't large enough to support your body towels. Fold your face and hand towels in half, horizontally, over the bottom of the towel ring. Pull the towel straight on both sides, following the curve of the ring.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding Creative Ways to Hang Towels

1
Place a towel bar underneath your counters. An extra towel bar will help you to take advantage of empty space under your bathroom counters. Storing towels here will also make it easier to dry off your hands after washing them. As an added bonus, placing your towels under your counters will cleverly cover up the sink’s pipes.^{[5]
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2
Convert an old coat rack into a towel rack for more creative storage. That old coat rack you no longer use can be the perfect storage solution for bath towels. Move your spare coat rack into your bathroom, close to your shower, and drape clean towels over the hooks. You can then grab a fresh towel from the rack as soon as you finish bathing.^{[6]
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3
Hang up towels in rows of alternating colors for a skillfully designed look. Color is a huge part of design, so don’t be afraid to play around with it as you hang your bathroom towels.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Angelica Savard
Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.} Work with the existing color scheme of your bathroom.^{[8]
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- If your bathroom has a monochromatic color scheme, hang a row of alternating black and white towels.
- Conversely, experiment with shades of the same color.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Angelica Savard
  Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.} If your bathroom is decorated with warm colors, hang up towels in different shades of yellow or orange.
- You can always default to a classic white towel, too!^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Angelica Savard
  Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
4
Add decorative letters above towel hooks for each family member. This gives each member of your family their own special place to hang their towels, whether wet or dry. Giving family members individual hooks will also make bathroom organization much easier. Your family won’t be as tempted to throw towels on the floor if they have their own designated hooks!^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making the Most of Small Spaces

1
Add towel racks to your bathroom walls for extra storage space. Fold your towels in half horizontally, then fold them in half again lengthwise. Then hang them on the rack. If your rack has shelves attached, fold a few fresh towels and stack them on your shelves.^{[12]
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- Feel free to hang up more than one rack on your bathroom walls if you need extra storage space. Stack them along a narrow wall, or create a row of racks on a wide, empty wall.^{[13]
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2
Put a towel bar on your cabinets to make use of space. This storage method is ideal for smaller towels. Place your towels by folding them first in half horizontally, then hanging them on the bar lengthwise. You can add your towel bar on either the outside of the cabinet door or the inside.^{[14]
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- If you have wide cabinets with long handles, hang your towels on the handles for a utilitarian and aesthetically pleasing touch.
- You can also attach a bar on one or both sides of your cabinets for convenient storage.^{[15]
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3
Hang a towel rack on your curtain rack or shower door in small bathrooms. Most premade racks come with hooks attached, so you can easily hang them anywhere the prongs will attach to. Hook the rack by its top rungs over the top of your curtain rack or shower door. Hang your fresh towels on the towel rack by folding them across, then draping them lengthwise over the rack.^{[16]
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4
Add bars to the sides of large bathroom drawers for smaller towels. Placing towel bars inside your drawers creatively saves space. It also makes it easier to grab extra fresh towels when you need them. Store your fresh small towels by draping them lengthwise over the bar.^{[17]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can I display my towels if they're rolled?

Emma Oberlander
Interior Designer
Emma Oberlander is an Interior Designer and the Owner of Otis Street Design in Boston, Massachusetts. She specializes in residential remodels, boutique hospitality design, project management, and budget design. Emma holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from Northeastern University and an MA in Interior Architecture from The New England School of Art and Design. She has a combined ten years of project management experience in the design, marketing, and non-profit industries, both nationally and internationally.

Emma Oberlander

Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Try putting them in a basket near your tub or vanity. If your vanity is wall-mounted, you could even put the basket underneath your vanity.
Question

Why are bath towels so big? How can I hang them on a rail that is shorter than the width of the towel?

Community Answer

You may have to invest in smaller towels or a longer towel rod. Otherwise, just fold the towel in half before hanging it.