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Pretty and practical, keep your towels nearby with these storage solutions.
Towels are an essential bathroom accessory and how you store them is equally important. From baskets to hooks and traditional rails to open shelving, it needs to work practically and aesthetically.
There's also the small matter of your bathroom size (is it a downstairs toilet, ensuite or family bathroom?) and how many towels you'll need (at a minimum there's face towels, hand towels and bath sheets to consider). So how do you store them? We've sourced our top 20 towel storage ideas to give you some inspiration.
If you’re good at folding towels then open shelving could be the answer. They’re ideal for families as you can have piles of different sized towels neatly stored, yet ready for use. Keep the kids' towels on a lower shelf for easy access.
Pictured: Shop bathroom accessories and towels from B&M
If you don't have built-in shelving, opt for a vertical towel racked that can be fixed to the wall. La Redoute's five-tier rack in matt black makes a sleek, streamlined addition to a contemporary bathroom.
If you've got a family bathroom, you'll need more storage space. This wall mounted design from Amazon is taller, plus it stops towels from falling out.
After a modern alternative? When space is at a premium it’s a good idea to go double duty with a multipurpose storage solution.
'Having a warm bathroom is one of life’s little luxuries; there’s nothing worse than having a shower and stepping out into a freezing cold room,' says Nick Duggan, managing director at The Radiator Centre. 'Today’s modern bathroom radiators can warm your room whilst also providing a handy place to store towels and robes, with the added benefit that they are lovely and warm when you come to use them.
'There are a wide variety of choices on the market in both vertical and horizontal designs, many of which include optional extras such as hooks, bars or shelving built into their design for practical storage.'
Pictured: I-Ching towel radiator, The Radiator Centre
If you have an existing vertical designer radiator, you can simply choose an add-on, in this case a towel hook. This chrome hook from Big Bathroom Shop is an easy and cost effective option, and your radiator will still work double duty. Ensure the hook is compatible with your specific radiator design.
Sometimes, quirky ideas are the best ones. A luggage rack, new or old, is a great solution guaranteed to give your bathroom or utility room, an individual and eclectic look. They have a handy rack for clean folded towels and hooks underneath, so they can be used for towels to aid drying. And if it comes with a mirror, that’s even better.
Pictured: Otto luggage rack with mirror, Graham & Green
We love this compact corner shelf because it's the perfect example of maximising every inch of space. Ideal for small bathrooms, it'll enable you to keep a hand towel nearby.
If you want to keep your towels tucked away out of view then consider a cabinet. It could be part of your bathroom furniture or a freestanding design that you’ve repurposed from another room or bought at a flea market or antique store. What it’s crafted from matters – the damp nature of bathrooms means it needs to be something that can withstand the moisture. This uber stylish design from Garden Trading is made from steel with on-trend smoky ridged glass.
Pictured: Adelphi cabinet, Garden Trading
Work with the space you have, and, if it turns out you have very little, then a narrow cabinet will do just the job.
If you’re a minimalist at heart, look for a modern take on an old design. The classic round towel hanger is a great option for small bathrooms or downstairs toilets. It’s also easy on the eye, giving you the chance to show off decorative hand towels. It can be hung right next to the basin for drying hands after washing. This neat design has a stained oil oak top and metal ring, making it a stylish choice.
Pictured: Ferm Living towel hanger, Nest
If you love brass accents and want to add a touch of luxe to your bathroom scheme, Anthropologie's fluted towel ring is pretty and practical.
We've loved the ladder storage idea for the last few years, but this new design gives you more bang for your bucks. Slimline and including three types of storage – somewhere to sit, a shelf and a towel rack – this gem from IKEA is made from bamboo which is ideal for humid areas too.
Pictured: Rågrund bamboo towel rack chair, IKEA
If you want a sleek and lightweight option, this space-saving freestanding ladder is perfect for drying and airing towels. Lean it against the wall and use the six bars to hang your towels. Importantly, the rubber tipped legs prevent any sliding or scuff marks on the floor.
'Freestanding organisational ladders or suction towel rails provide near-instant solutions for towel storage and will eliminate any risk of cracking expensive tiles by drilling,' says Simon Glanville, managing director at A Place for Everything.
This smart design works brilliantly on shower screens, as Simon explains: 'With the suction rails, simply attach to your bathroom tiles or glass shower screen for a handy close-to-hand towel rail when stepping out of the bath or shower. They’re smart and unobtrusive – and super versatile as you can move them to any location!'
Pictured: Suction towel rail, A Place for Everything
Woven from natural water hyacinth and grey paper rope, this handled basket is decorative yet durable, making it ideal for storing fresh towels to 'grab and go' in the bathroom. If not on a shelf, it's a good idea to store baskets under sinks for easy access.
Often, the best towel storage ideas are those that take up little space yet still look stylish. Case in point: Shaker-style hooks are classic and useful.
'Hanging bath towels on hooks in the bathroom is a practical and stylish option. It offers convenience, allowing the towels to air dry efficiently while remaining easy to access, and it can also save space in comparison to bars or racks, making this an ideal option for more compact bathrooms,' say Emily and Jonathan Attwood, founders of Scooms.
Pictured: Egyptian cotton bath towels in pearl grey, silver grey and white, Scooms
Nkuku's vertically-designed wall mounted hook is a clever way to make the most of your wall space, and ideal for hanging bath and hand towels.
Freestanding towel storage offers a practical way to keep them hung up but also with the flexibility of being able to move it to suit you. A traditional-style towel rail will allow your towels to fully dry out too, which is essential to stop them getting damp after use.
Get the look: Bamboo freestanding towel rail, Graham & Green
But for a fixed towel storage idea, this traditional heated towel rail from Best Heating will keep your towels warm and dry. Elegant in appearance, this minimalist design with a chrome finish is perfect for all bathroom schemes.
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