Do people still use towel bars in bathrooms?

Author: Hollis Denesik  |  Last update: Saturday, April 4, 2026

Towel bars are some of the most common fixtures you will find in a bathroom. They do their job wonderfully and they are simple yet beautiful pieces of furniture and decor.

Do bathrooms need towel bars?

Depending on guest bathroom design, a towel bar might not be necessary. This will depend on the size of the bathroom as well as whether or not a shower is present. If the guest bathroom has a shower, a towel bar may be necessary. However, there are several options to consider for different situations.

What to use instead of a towel bar in a bathroom?

Try hooks. That's what we did for our extremely tight bathroom and it works so much better than towel bars ever have and we have BIG towels (I think they're called bath sheets and are like a beach towel size). Be selective with the hooks you get though.

Where do you hang towels in a modern bathroom?

However, one of the most common locations for a towel bar is on the wall next to your shower or within close proximity. If you have a shower door, a common place for a towel bar is on the door itself. With that being said, your towel bar should be mounted in the location that is the most comfortable for you.

Is it better to hang towels on a bar or hook?

In many cases, hooks are a better option than towel bars. So much easier to hang towels up on hooks than folding towels perfectly to hang over a towel bar.

Heated Towel Rack: Facts, Pros, and Cons

Do people still use towel bars?

Towel bars are some of the most common fixtures you will find in a bathroom. They do their job wonderfully and they are simple yet beautiful pieces of furniture and decor.

What to do with an unused towel bar in the bathroom?

There are a few ways to make effective use of your towel bar however. For example, consider using your unused towel bar to hang other bathroom accessories, such as baskets. This is a great way to increase storage and maximize accessibility to certain items.

Where do people put their towels after shower?

The best way to dry wet towels is to hang them on a heated towel rack, which is designed to dry your towels and provide them with some warmth before use. However, it is also important to hang them up in a well-ventilated area, even if you don't have a heated towel rack.

Where to put a towel bar in a small bathroom?

Basic Towel Bar

If space is tight in the bathroom, mount a simple towel bar on the side of a cabinet or vanity. Or, add a hook to the back of a door. These space-savvy towel storage ideas create a place for them to stay without getting in the way.

How often should I wash bath towels?

How often should I wash my bath towels? Dead skin cells, bacteria, and even sweat can accumulate quickly on your towels, so using a fresh one about every three days is a simple rule of thumb—for all kinds of towels.

What is a guest towel?

Guest towels are smaller than hand towels but larger than face cloths, especially in length. This makes them a great multi-use towel for house guests and for use in AirBnBs and holiday chalets and small-living accommodations.

What is the towel bar in the bathroom called?

towel rack (noun)

Should towel bars match faucets?

From faucets and cabinet handles to towel bars, matching metals in your bathroom creates a cohesive, intentional look that most homeowners prefer. Switching out the hardware can make a bathroom vanity look new.

Do towels dry well on hooks?

Using hooks to hang-dry towels between uses isn't that bad (though using a towel bar is better), but you should never hang more than one per hook. Moisture and debris could get trapped among the layers, which growing bacteria and mold just love.

How many towel bars per bathroom?

Most people have 2-3 towel racks in their bathroom - next to the sink, shower, or bathtub. However, you might want to group a couple of them if you like to have a supply of fresh, dry towels at all times. Besides comfort, you should also consider their practical benefits.

Do towel bars need to be installed in studs?

It's possible to install a towel bar without drilling, although attaching the towel bar to wall studs or with drywall anchors is preferred. To install a towel bar without drilling, first determine the proper towel bar height and mark the holes for mounting.

How far from the shower should the towel bar be?

How close to the shower should a towel bar be? The towel bar should be within easy arm's reach to the shower to prevent slips. Generally, this distance is 1 to 2 feet from the shower.

How many times should you use a towel after a shower?

“Generally, you should change your towels every three to four uses,” she says. “This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors.” It's important to stick to this clean towel schedule for a few reasons, Chiu notes. Bacteria, dead skin cells, and excess oils from your skin can build up on wet towels.

Where to put a towel bar in a bathroom?

Towel Bars: ‍The sweet spot for towel bars is typically 40 to 48 inches above the floor. This ensures that your bath towels are easily accessible without touching the ground.

What is towel etiquette?

Always use your towel rather than borrowing someone else's, and never leave a wet towel on the floor or draped over furniture. Instead, hang it up to dry on a towel rack or hook, ensuring that it's out of the way and can air out properly.

What to use instead of a towel bar?

If you have a small household and want to reclaim some space taken up by a clunky towel bar, consider replacing it with a few towel hooks. Installing just one or two hooks takes up only a few inches of wall space, compared to the foot or more a towel bar requires.

Is it gross to store towels under the sink?

Kitchen Towels and Paper Bags

While convenient, these items don't belong under the sink, says Suzanne Pollak, co-founder of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. A leak would ruin them. Stash them in a nearby closet or another cabinet instead for easy access.

Where to put towels in a bathroom with no closet?

Recessed Niches

The wall at the end of the bathtub can be a good spot to place a recessed niche for towels.

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