18 Bathroom Towel Rack Ideas

By Blake Lockwood | Curated by Blake Lockwood | Reviewed by Blake Lockwood

Blake Lockwood, the seasoned interior designer behind Decor Snob, has made a name for himself with over 30 years of industry experience. As a member of esteemed associations such as the NCIDQ, CIDA, NAAB, and CCIDC, he upholds high standards in his work.  His content is always people-first, reliable, and engaging.

Bathroom towel hangers, while often overlooked, play an important role within your bathroom.

There are hundreds of Bathroom Towel Rack Ideas and styles that give them the ability to fit into the decor of any bathroom and perform the function needed of them.

Towel racks can be incorporated into a bathroom in many different ways.

Where to Start with Bathroom Towel Rack Ideas and Towel Hangers

First, you have to decide the function you want your towel rack to play.

It’s not difficult to choose bathroom towel hangers. If you have a theme or have personal design preferences, then it should be easy.

InterDesign Forma Over Cabinet 9 Towel Bar, Brushed Stainless Steel

Do you want it to be for decoration? If so, then you might want to consider a single bar that attaches to the wall. This look is a simple and classic look providing a nice clean feel for your bathroom. Another option would be a decorative towel bar with fun edges or a cool design.

There are so many towel bar choices to choose from. No matter your style, you can always find the one that meets all your requirements.

But it is still necessary to think about practicality when choosing any bathroom accessories.

Your major bathroom features like the sink and the shower may predetermine your choices. You need your smaller accessories to sync with the bathroom’s theme. But be sure to consider utility at the same time.

Accessories like towel hooks and towel hangers come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. These accessories are important for a functional bathroom.

Allied Brass 16" Double Shelf w/Towel Bar Satin Nickel

Most homeowners think there is only one type of towel rack – wall mounted. But there are a wide array of choices for everyone.

Are you looking for a towel bar to hang wet towels up to dry? In this case, a single bar attached to the bathroom wall may again be just what you’re looking for. However, there are other options if drying is the function the towel bar is meant to play.

Swinging towel racks are movable towel hangers that let you push them out of the way whenever you don’t need them. This means you can pull the towel bar out when you need it to hang up your towel and push it back out of the way when you are no longer in need of it.

Freestanding Bathroom Towel Rack Ideas

While there are many towel racks that attach to your wall, if you are worried about damage or you don’t want anything permanent, there are free standing bathroom towel racks. They take up a bit more room in the bathroom, but they will not ruin your walls and you can remove them whenever you want. They also provide many different options when it comes to finding one that will fit in with your decor.

Freestanding towel hangers is stylish and convenient. They are perfect for homeowners who aren’t planning to stay a long time.

 

Freestanding 6 Towel Bars Bathroom Rack
Modern Heavy Duty Black Metal Floor Freestanding 6 Towel Bars Bathroom Rack / Drying Stand / Towel Valet

They are also great if you like to redecorate from time to time. They are portable, so they are easy to move around or swap out with a new style.

Freestanding 3 Towel Bar Rack
Decorative Black Metal Scrollwork Design Freestanding 3 Towel Bar Rack / Storage Organizer Shelf

There are also heated towel bar which keep your towels nice and toasty after you finish your shower. There’s nothing like a warm towel.

Towel Warmer
LCM Home Fashion 6-Bar Freestanding Towel Warmer, Drying Rack

 

Over the Door Bathroom Towel Rack Ideas

Over the door towel racks allow you to store your towels and robes behind a door. They are perfect for small bathrooms because they maximize space. It will also keep your towels out of sight.

Shower Door Towel Rack
InterDesign Classico Over the Shower Door Towel Rack

You should choose one made out of steel for durability. Plastic ones are easy to break with heavy wet towels.

Bamboo Stainless Steel Towel Door Hooks
Bamboo Stainless Steel Towel Door Hooks
Bamboo Stainless Steel Towel Door Hooks
Bamboo Stainless Steel Towel Door Hooks

You don’t need any tools to install them either. Just hang them over any door and it’s good to go.

InterDesign Forma Over Cabinet 9 Towel Bar, Brushed Stainless Steel

Retractable Under-Sink Bathroom Towel Hangers

You can keep your towels inside a cabinet with retractable under-sink towel hangers. They keep your towels hidden away so you can maintain a clean-looking bathroom. You won’t have to worry about guests using your bath towels either. Gross.

Heavy-Duty Towel Bar
Heavy-Duty Towel Bar
Rev-A-Shelf - 563-51-C - Chrome Under Cabinet 2-Prong Pullout Towel Bar
Rev-A-Shelf – 563-51-C – Chrome Under Cabinet 2-Prong Pullout Towel Bar

 

Bathroom Towel Racks with integrated shelves

Or maybe you are looking for a towel bar that does not only allow you to hang wet towels up to dry but also use it for storage purposes? If so, a towel rack with a towel bar attached to it that can be mounted to the wall would be perfect for what you are looking for. You would be able to store clean dry towels on the top while still being able to hang your used wet towels on the bottom giving this style of bathroom towel hangers twice the use.

Multi-functional bathroom towel hangers are what most homeowners prefer. Towel racks with integrated shelves provide lots of extra space. You can use them to store things like toiletries, cosmetics, and hair dryers.

 

Allied Brass MC-1TB/22-GAL-SN 22-Inch Gallery Glass Shelf with Towel Bar, Satin Nickel
Allied Brass MC-1TB/22-GAL-SN 22-Inch Gallery Glass Shelf with Towel Bar, Satin Nickel
InterDesign York Lyra Towel Stand, Split Finish
InterDesign York Lyra Towel Stand, Split Finish

 

Swivel Bathroom Towel Racks

Swivel towel racks have arms that are movable. They let you pivot the rod in any direction. With this kind of towel bar, one arm mounts to a wall, while the other arm or arms remain free. This means you have two hangers that you can use any way possible.

KES Bathroom Swing Arm Towel Bars 3-Arm Wall Mount Swing Out Towel Shelf, Brushed SUS304 Stainless Steel, A2102S3-2
KES Bathroom Swing Arm Towel Bars 3-Arm Wall Mount Swing Out Towel Shelf, Brushed SUS304 Stainless Steel, A2102S3-2
EtechMart Antique Brass 3-Arm Swing Towel Rack Organizer Holder Wall-Mounted Euro Style
EtechMart Antique Brass 3-Arm Swing Towel Rack Organizer Holder Wall-Mounted Euro Style

 

Plain Old Bathroom Towel Hangers

If these fancy towel hangers aren’t your thing, then a normal towel bar is fine. They come in hundreds of styles. Installation can be a little tricky. Be sure to have a level handy, so it doesn’t end up crooked on your wall.

Rozin Oil Rubbed Bronze Single Towel Bar Wall Mounted Towel Rack
Rozin Oil Rubbed Bronze Single Towel Bar Wall Mounted Towel Rack
KES A2103-2 Bathroom Lavatory Double Towel Bar Wall Mount, Brushed SUS304 Stainless Steel
KES A2103-2 Bathroom Lavatory Double Towel Bar Wall Mount, Brushed SUS304 Stainless Steel
KES Stainless Steel Bath Towel Rack Bathroom Shelf with Double Towel Bar 60 CM Storage Organizer Contemporary Hotel Square Style Wall Mount, Brushed Finish, A2112-2
KES Stainless Steel Bath Towel Rack Bathroom Shelf with Double Towel Bar 60 CM Storage Organizer Contemporary Hotel Square Style Wall Mount, Brushed Finish, A2112-2

Wrapping up

Even though a towel bar plays a role in your every life, it also allows you to add a hint of style to your bathroom, so after you decide what function you want your towel bar to play, the next step would be deciding the design that would fit your bathroom the best. Towel hangers come in all different kinds of styles. With a modern style, you could go with a classic chrome bar. If you are looking for something a bit more rustic, a twisted iron bar might be more your style. If you are looking for something more high-tech, you could always get a heated towel bar that warms your towel up for you before you use it.

Towel racks can add beauty and utility anywhere they are needed. They are an important part of a functional bathroom. Unless you throw your towels on the floor for the maid, you will need one.

Let me know in the comments below what kind of towel bar you like best.

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