Installing a towel bar, hook, ring, rack, or warmer will help keep your bath towels within easy reach, allow the towels to dry more easily, and add style to your bathroom. Keep reading to learn how to choose the best towel storage to fit your needs and for instructions and guidance on installing yours at the correct height.

In this guide:

1. Select Your Towel Storage
2. Determine Towel Bar, Rack, Hook, Ring, or Warmer Height
3. Consider the Towels You’ll Use
4. Install Your Towel Bar, Rack, Hook, Ring, or Warmer

1. Select Your Towel Storage

Understanding the different options when choosing the perfect towel storage for your bathroom can make it easier to find the right one for your needs and preferences. Your selection will also impact the height at which you should hang yours. Here are the most common types for you to explore.

Bar: Arguably the most popular option, this simple, traditional bar can be mounted to the wall, providing a space to drape your towel. You can find towel bars in a variety of lengths, styles, and materials to match your bathroom aesthetic.

Rack: Towel racks can hold more than one towel at a time, offering more storage and organization space. If you have kids or multiple people who share the same bathroom, a towel rack is an ideal choice.

Stands: Freestanding towel stands are usually designed with multiple horizontal rungs made to hold towels and washcloths. Since they are placed on the floor, these stands don't require installation and can be positioned anywhere in your bathroom.

Rings: Made for the smaller hand towels, towel rings are also mounted to the wall. Towel rings are either circular or U-shaped and come in the same style and materials as towel bars.

Hooks: If you’re looking for a simple and small option that will hold your towel without taking up too much wall space, then a wall hook is for you. Because of its smaller design, this easy-to-install hook holds only one towel at a time.

Shelves: If you don't have much storage space in your bathroom and want to keep your towels within close reach, you can simply fold and stack them on bathroom shelves. Bear in mind this is suitable only for dry unused towels and any damp towels will still need to be hung up to dry properly.

Warmers: A towel warmer can be used not only to store your towels but also to warm them before usage. Towel warmers look similar to towel racks but use electricity and heat transference to warm and dry the towels as they hang. This can also help prevent any mold growth on the damp fabric between uses.

2. Determine Towel Bar, Rack, Hook, Ring, or Warmer Height

(Shop this image: wall-mounted towel racks, robe and towel hooks, ivory and cream bath towels, vanity mirrors, pedestal bathroom sinks, and brown washcloths)

Once you’ve chosen the towel bar, rack, hook, ring, or warmer you want for your bathroom, you can calculate the height at which you need to install it. While you might already have a particular spot where you'd like it to go, you need to ensure it is installed at the right height.

Standard Towel Bar Height: We recommend installing a towel bar between 42 and 48 inches off the floor.

Standard Towel Hook Height: We recommend installing a towel hook about 65 to 70 inches off the floor. If you want to install multiple hooks, we recommend spacing them 10 inches apart to ensure towels and robes can dry completely.

Standard Towel Ring Height: Since most towel rings sit close to the vanity, the appropriate towel ring height is 20 inches from the vanity countertop.

Standard Towel Warmer Height: We recommend having your towel warmer 42 to 48 inches from the floor. Please note that plug-in towel warmers need to be located near an electrical outlet. Be sure to check a product's power cord length. This information can be found in a product page's "Weights & Dimensions" or "Specifications" tab. Since a towel warmer uses electricity, it shouldn't be placed inside a shower or above your bath. When installing a hardwired towel warmer, please consult an electrician.

Standard Towel Rack Height: These racks should be installed at least 48 inches from the floor.

Tip!

We recommend choosing a towel storage installation location based on where you will use it. For example, for shower towels, place the towel holder within arm's reach of your bath or shower enclosure. For hand towels or washcloths, keep them closer to your vanity. It is not recommended to place any towel storage above your toilet – you don't want to risk towels falling into the bowl!

3. Consider the Towels You'll Use

(Shop this image: wall-mounted towel hooks, blue bath towels, ivory and cream bath towels, and brown washcloths)

You also want to consider which type of towels you intend to use so you can accurately plan which towel hook, bar, rack, ring, or stand you may need.

Bath Towel: These are the standard towels you see in nearly every bathroom. Their dimensions can range from 20 x 40 inches to 30 x 58 inches. This type of towel fits best on a towel bar, hook, or folded on a rack. You can also always place yours on a towel warmer just before you shower or bathe to ensure you have a warm and cozy towel to wrap yourself in when you are done.

Hand Towel: Hand towels are much smaller than standard bath towels and are typically used for drying your hands after you wash them. Since their size is vastly smaller than a bath towel, these fit best on a towel ring or layered over a bath towel on a towel bar.

Washcloth: These towels are primarily used for washing yourself in the shower or bath. They are the smallest type of bath towel and usually measure 12 x 12 inches or 13 x 13 inches. While bath towels and hand towels are rectangular, washcloths tend to be more square and compact.

Bathrobe: While these aren't towels, bathrobes are commonly hung from towel hooks in bathrooms.

Tip!

To learn more about the different types of towels, read Types of Towels: How to Choose the Best One for Your Bathroom.

4. Install Your Towel Bar, Rack, Hook, Ring, or Warmer

(Shop this image: gold towel racks, white bath towels, vanity mirrors, and pedestal bathroom sinks)

What You'll Need

• Pencil for marking the right spot on the wall
• Measuring tape
• Power drill
• Hammer
• Wall anchors
• Screws

Step 1: Find Your Mounting Spot

Using the recommended heights above, use your measuring tape to find the right installation spot. Mark the location with a pencil.

Step 2: Drill the Holes

Use a power drill to drill holes into your marked locations. Hammer wall anchors (if you’re using them) into the drilled holes.

Step 3: Insert Screws Into the Holes

Line your mounting plates up to the holes. Use a screwdriver or drill to insert screws into the holes in your wall mount.

Step 4: Attach the Hardware

Attach your bar to the wall mount and make sure everything is secure.

Step 5: Hang Your Towel

Hang your towel on your new bathroom storage and enjoy!

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