How to Store Towels: 9 Luxurious Ideas for Your Bathroom

We all want our bathrooms to feel zen-like, and a tidy space contributes to this luxurious feel. So it’s good to know that simple and inexpensive touches have the power to transform a functional room (like your bathroom) into a sanctuary. 

As the inventors of the modern towel and with over 175 years of home linen heritage, we know that exceptional towels deserve to be stored and displayed beautifully, and that it can make all the difference to aesthetics. Whether you have ample room or limited space, storage plays a vital role in the overall look. 

9 New Ways To Store Your Towels

A simple rail on the wall has plenty of obvious benefits, but what if we want to get creative and turn storage into a design feature, infused with colour and texture? Inspiration for this can come from any area in the home, from repurposing furniture in other rooms, such as a display case or industrial-style shelving, to playing with simple storage hacks. Let’s delve into it. 

1. Ladder Racks

A ladder towel rack is an effortless way to add visual, vertical storage to your bathroom. Leaning one against a wall creates an immediate focal point, and it's a clever way to store things upwards, ergo maximising storage in small bathrooms without taking up floor space.

A versatile piece of decor too, it can hold neatly folded clean bath towels on its rungs, while simultaneously providing a place to air-dry damp ones. You can even hang small buckets or baskets for accessories on the lower rungs or add children's towels in this spot for easy access. Together, this really can be a multi-functional storage hero, keeping towels organised and within reach. Take your pick here from modern designs to vintage wooden ladders, which can be upcycled with a fresh coat of paint.

2. Open Shelving

Open shelving is a classic choice which exudes a modern, spa feel. Practical too, placing towels on display makes them easy to grab while adding dimension and texture to complement your decor. To make this work, organisation is key, and neatly folded or rolled towels are a must.

Start by placing your towels on the shelves with the folded edge facing outwards to keep things uber organised. Then stack piles of different-sized towels, from large bath sheets to smaller hand towels. In a family bathroom, you can even place children's towels on lower shelves, at little person height! Whether you choose built-in recessed shelves, a slim set of freestanding designs, or a unit under your vanity, this approach allows you to see your beautiful linens at a glance.

3. Rolled Face Towels

For a touch of hotel luxury, rolling face towels on decorative trays elevates things instantly. To achieve this look, place your trays on a vanity, or if you'd rather forgo the tray, use a bowl, or stack them in a pyramid shape on any flat surface. All have the power to add an eye-catching display in your bathroom with minimal effort.

If you're wondering what the trick is to rolling towels, start with a rolled edge, making sure that it's smooth and neatly tucked in. Do a few practices first, and once mastered, you'll be amazed at how it turns everyday items into a design statement.

4. Stylish Baskets

Baskets are a wonderfully versatile bathroom storage solution, adding texture and a relaxed, collected feel. Often woven from materials like water hyacinth or wicker, it also introduces a natural element that can soften the hard surfaces of a typical bathroom while keeping extra towels tidy and accessible.

This simple hack works on towels of all sizes, from large floor baskets for rolled bath sheets, to smaller ones, tucked onto shelves or under the sink for hand towels and face cloths. You could even mount a set of long, narrow baskets on the wall to act as an alternative to floating shelves.

Here are a few ways to use them:

• Place a large basket on the floor next to the bath or shower, filled with fresh, rolled towels.

• Use a matching basket to collect used towels, just like a spa.

• Organise smaller linens inside cabinets or on open shelves in little, decorative baskets.

5. Heated Rails

We're huge advocates for wrapping yourself in a warm, dry towel post-bathing. Heated rails provide this luxurious touch daily, and they're incredibly practical too, mainly because they dry your towels completely and quickly between uses, minimising musty smells. It's also worth noting that drying your towels correctly preserves the fibres and keeps them absorbent for longer.

Modern heated rails come in various designs and colours, from traditional wall-mounted styles to sleek, vertical radiators with integrated bars and hooks. Choosing one that complements your bathroom decor adds both function and a hint of opulence.

6. Floating Shelves

For a modern, minimalist look, floating shelves hit all the right notes. This is about the clean lines and lack of visible brackets, bringing an uncluttered, airy element. On the functional side, they're a fantastic space-saving choice too, especially in smaller bathrooms, because they maximise your wall space.

Here are a few placements to consider maximising potential:

• Install shelves above the toilet to create vertical space.

• Place a shelf above the vanity for easy access to hand towels and face cloths.

• Create a tiered arrangement on a narrow wall to display a full set of towels.

7. Vanity Drawers with Custom Dividers

Staying on the clean, minimalist theme, drawers keep everything tucked away, and organising your towels within your vanity is the perfect solution. To prevent drawers from becoming a jumble, use custom dividers with designated compartments for different types of towels. It's good to note that this method keeps your countertops completely clear, too, making it perfect for small spaces.

Tips for this approach include neatly folding or rolling your towels to fit within the divided sections to work with the space and create an orderly system. With minimal upkeep, you have a simple but highly effective way of storing your towels.

8. Freestanding Towel Towers

Freestanding storage units, such as elegant towel towers or bookcases, can make a powerful statement in modern bathrooms. These towers often feature a mix of open shelves and cabinets, offering the best of both worlds for displaying your beautiful, plush towels and stashing other bathroom necessities out of sight.

Note that a freestanding unit gives you ultimate flexibility, too, as it can be moved or replaced as your style evolves. Add it all up, and it's a practical way to add substantial, organised storage without undertaking a permanent installation.

9. Designer Hooks

Hooks are a simple, hero-level space-saving solution. Go for a designer version, and you’ll also add a distinct touch of personality while providing quick access to your towels and air-drying them between uses.

Consider these simple yet stylish ideas:

• A row of classic Shaker-style pegs for a timeless, minimalist look.

• Individual hooks with initials above them for a personalised touch in a family bathroom.

• A repurposed coat rack to provide multiple points for hanging towels and robes.

Keeping Luxury Towels Aired and Organised

If you invest in luxury towels, it’s important to know how to care for them. Proper storage is crucial for keeping towels feeling soft, smelling fresh, and maintaining their absorbency long term.

Towel maintenance 101 starts with ensuring they’re completely dry before putting them away, as storing even slightly damp towels can lead to mildew and unpleasant odours. When you store them, make sure it’s in a spot with good air circulation, which prevents them from becoming musty. In short, give them room to breathe, whether they are folded on a shelf or rolled in a basket.

Also, remember to rotate your towel collection regularly to prevent mustiness on forgotten ones at the back. When you bring clean towels from the laundry, place them at the bottom of the stack or the back of the shelf to even out the wear and wash rotation. Discover how often you should replace your towels with new ones here. 

We’re always on hand with extra tips when you need them. If you have a question on how to store towels, simply contact our customer care team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store towels to maximise storage in a small bathroom?

For small spaces, focus on vertical solutions. Use floating shelves, ladder racks, or over-the-toilet units to draw the eye upward. Rolling towels instead of folding them is also a great option to save storage space in your bathroom.

What’s the ideal way to organise towels in drawers or cabinets?

For drawers in your vanity, use dividers to create separate compartments for towels, washcloths, and hand towels. In cabinets, either roll your towels or fold them vertically. This allows you to see everything at a glance and easily grab what you need without messing up the stack.

Are there creative towel display ideas for guest bathrooms?

Arrange artfully rolled extra towels in a stylish basket, place folded face cloths on a decorative tray, or install elegant hooks for easy access to both towels and robes, making guests feel well-catered for.