Choosing a Towel Rack

A towel rack is a bathroom fixture that holds towels on bars or rungs. They can be hardwired or plugged in and can come in wall-mounted and freestanding styles.

This ladder-style rack has a sleek frame and rungs for holding several towels or washcloths. It mounts to the wall with concealed recessed brackets and comes with all installation hardware.

Wall-Mounted

A modern bathroom towel rack keeps a stack of freshly laundered towels within reach of your sink, minimizing the need to leave your shower. Choose from freestanding or wall-mounted styles, ranging in style and size to suit your space and decor scheme. Ladder towel racks capitalize on vertical space and work well for both bath and hand towels, while hooks offer a more modern and sophisticated look. For a sleek yet durable option, consider a stainless steel towel bar that can easily withstand wet conditions and a variety of weight capacities.

The sleek Kraus Ventus Towel Rack has a 25.5-inch bar that’s big enough for two bath towels or bath sheets. Its narrow frame and curved lines accentuate the look of your walls while its powder-coated finish resists moisture. The rack has a higher-than-average weight capacity, so it can support larger towels and can also double as a bar for hanging additional linens like toilet paper rolls or other miscellaneous items.

If you want a more minimalist design, opt for the simple Moen Genta LX Towel Bar. With its slim profile, this stylish piece is a sleek addition to any bath. Its bar is just over 21 inches wide, a perfect width for one or two bath towels, depending on how you fold them. This rack features a handy storage shelf above the bars that’s great for stashing extra folded towels or personal hygiene items.

You can also outfit any freestanding shelving unit or hutch with shelves for convenient, closed storage that keeps your towels within reach. This storage idea works particularly well in bathrooms with pedestal or towel rack floating sinks, where counter space may be limited. A hutch can provide plenty of towel storage with multiple easy-to-access hooks, plus plenty of open shelves for bath linens.

If you don’t have a bathroom to dedicate to a freestanding storage solution, try using a coatrack or other type of rack with multiple hanging rods in your entryway or living room to keep extra towels or clothing handy. Some racks with extra shelves can even be used as a laundry station to air-dry lots of different types of items, including swimsuits and beach towels for poolside or garden use.

Over the Door

A towel rack over the door is a great space-saving option that gives you a convenient place to hang towels without taking up wall space. Most models are simple and sleek, making them compatible with a variety of bathroom styles. They are also easier to install than their wall-mounted counterparts. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when selecting this type of rack.

First, it’s essential to make sure the rack fits your door. The last thing you want is to have a hard time closing your bathroom door because the rack is in the way. You also want to consider the size of your towels and how many you can hang on one rod. If you have larger bath towels, a single over-the-door towel bar might not be enough to hold them all.

The best over-the-door towel racks have a flexible design to accommodate a variety of different towel sizes. The mDesign rack is a good example. It comes with a sturdy base that supports multiple bars and hooks of various lengths, so you can adjust the size of the rack as needed. It also has two additional hooks at the bottom, perfect for robes and shower caps. Plus, the entire piece is made from durable stainless steel for lasting use in damp conditions.

Another feature to look for in an over-the-door towel rack is whether it has a tiered design. This helps your towels dry more quickly and prevents mildew growth. Additionally, it allows air to circulate behind the towels, ensuring they’re always clean and fresh.

If you’re looking for a towel rack that’s easy to set up and move around, the Franklin Brass model is a great choice. It can be placed over a shower or bathroom door with a thickness of up to 2 inches and doesn’t require any drilling. It’s also available in a number of finishes, so it can blend in with both modern and traditional bathrooms.

Another advantage of this type of towel rack is that it doesn’t interfere with the opening and closing of the door. The only drawback is that it might scratch the door frame if you don’t carefully align the hooks with the door and ensure they are secure.

Freestanding

A free standing towel rack can be a stylish, functional solution for a cluttered bathroom or laundry room. Look for units that offer additional storage options, like shelves or baskets under the rails, to keep frequently used items such as soap dispensers, toilet rolls and hairdryers within reach. These types of towel racks also work well in bedrooms or guest bathrooms, providing an elegant alternative to conventional wall-mounted racks.

If you have limited space and want a simple-to-assemble, versatile unit, consider this model from mDesign. This double rack is ideal for storing standard bath towels and fits neatly into any space thanks to its narrow footprint. The polystone base holds the rack firmly in place without the need for anchors or wall damage. The design is elegant and contemporary, with a mix of materials that adds to its decorative appeal.

The metal rack is finished in chrome, so it looks as good in a modern bathroom as it does in a traditional one. This rack also has a lower wooden shelf, perfect for tucking away items such as towels or clothes. Another attractive feature of this model is its lightweight design, which makes it a breeze to move from room to room. At just 7.6 lbs., this rack is significantly lighter than other models and is easy to handle, even when fully loaded with folded towels.

This unit from Kings Brand is another stylish freestanding towel rack that gets high marks for both style and functionality. Its minimalistic approach makes it a great choice for contemporary spaces, while its antique-inspired details suit those with more rustic designs. The design is finished in a dark coffee color, which is a nice compromise if you’re not comfortable with chrome or black finishes.

If you want a modern-looking, heat-resistant towel warmer for your home, this model is an excellent choice. The stainless steel construction is rust-resistant and the unit warms up quickly. You’ll need to hire a professional for installation, as the unit needs to be hardwired into your electrical system.

For a more natural and sustainable option, consider this freestanding teak towel rack. The durable Indonesian wood stands up to wet, humid environments and comes with a finish that’s resistant to fading. The rack is angled so that you can hang two bath towels side by side, and there are no hanging hooks, preventing the spread of bacteria. This model is available in several colors and finishes, so you’re sure to find one that complements your existing decor.

Electric

For those who want to keep their towels warm after getting out of the bath or shower, but don’t have central heating or gas available, electric towel rails are a great option. They’re usually easy to install, with some options offering both a hardwired and plug-in style. You’ll also find a variety of different models that can either heat water or use dry mineral oil to warm your towels.

A good example of an electric towel rack is the Anzzi Klin 6 bar freestanding model, which is lightweight and durable, while still producing a decent amount of heat (65W). This electric rack has an integrated towel rack timer, as well, allowing you to set your desired start and stop times. There are also other models that offer a smart Wi-Fi switch, so you can control the device from anywhere using your smartphone app.

Another option is the Amba RWH-SP electric towel warmer, which is both stylish and affordable. It has a brushed chrome finish and can be wall-mounted or freestanding, depending on your preferences. This model also comes with a 7-day timer, which is an excellent feature to have and that most competitors don’t offer.

If you’re looking for a more traditional solution, Hudson Reed USA offer a range of freestanding and wall-mounted traditional towel warmers. They have a variety of designs to suit any space, from sleek modern to contemporary classic. This Hudson Reed USA curved electric model is relatively affordable, but it doesn’t compromise on quality and will certainly add an extra element of designer flair to your bathroom.

The Acona Svelte 13-Bar Electric Towel Warmer and Drying Rack is a larger option that’s ideal for those with lots of large towels, but don’t mind sacrificing some floor space. It’s also an excellent choice for those who want to reduce the number of wash loads that they do, as it can hold up to 2 bath sheets. The Acona Svelte 13-Bar is also an efficient option, with a low energy usage of just over 100W per hour. This is even less than a standard light bulb!