Behold a renovated bathroom with an antique china cabinet used for bathroom supplies. The rustic appearance of the hutch gives way to glass doors that display all of the necessary bathroom items. Because the glass is see-through, you can make the items inside aesthetically pleasing by trading out containers for pretty ones and displaying fancy towels and rags alongside your everyday-use items.
30 Effortless Ways of Storing Towels in Bathrooms
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Published: July 16, 2023
Updated: November 22, 2023
I think we can all agree that storing towels in bathrooms is necessary. As bathrooms have modernized over many decades, the variety of architectural structures does not always include vast linen closets that are the presumed way to store such items. In addition, not all bathrooms have a vanity or cabinet which can create a puzzling predicament for towel containment.
With that being said, the designers of the bathrooms on display have conquered this dilemma and curated a selection of creative ideas that are sure to inspire your bathroom storage. Repurposing old furniture, using wall space for shelves and hooks, and finding oversized baskets are just a few of the ingenious ways to display towels while keeping them accessible and within reach.
Take a moment and scroll through the ideas organized for you because you’ll be amazed at the resourcefulness of these designers and homeowners and are sure to find something that can be replicated in your home.
02 of Repurposed Ladder Hook
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Farmhouse-themed spaces are all about finding new purposes for distressed items. In this example, an old wooden ladder had hooks added to the bottom to act as a towel rack. The look is completed by a stack of metal and wood shelves, with a straw laundry hamper placed intuitively for used linens and dirty clothes by the shower door.
03 of Vanity With Open Shelving
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Doorless vanities are growing in popularity. This small bathroom sink has an exposed shelf on the bottom, perfect for a towel display. In this photograph, the owner chose a black wire basket to hold a collection of rolled gray and white towels. You could fold and place them on the shelf, but the basket keeps them contained and organized.
04 of Individual Towel Hooks
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In a bathroom with multiple users, individual towel hooks are a great way to keep used towels separated. For example, kid bathrooms tend to become disorganized, and towel hooks like these help children know exactly which towel is theirs. It is easy to determine if one has gone missing, and it ensures that your germs stay with you!
05 of Storing Towels in a Vintage Watercloset
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A bathroom, also known as a water closet to those keen on cottage decor, hosts an old spindle leg shelf. On the bottom surface is a woven basket with rolled white towels, and just below that is a repurposed metal basket with folded linens. Finding antique containers to hold your bathroom items is an exemplary way to weave an aesthetic with functional storage.
06 of Shower Door Hook for Easy Access
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Have you ever been in the shower and realized that the only towel in the bathroom was across the room? That won’t happen anymore with this hack. The homeowner used their ingenuity to hang a clear hook on the sliding shower door that can accommodate a towel. On the wall next to the shower are two additional hooks that store the remaining towels. This is a great way to keep emergency linens accessible at any moment.
07 of Farmhouse Coastal Storage Cabinet
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The corner of this bathroom is elevated by a farmhouse coastal storage cabinet with a sliding door. The door is open to reveal three spacious shelves with deep blue and teal cabinets, a perfect complementary color to the nautical theme.
08 of Storing Towels on Bathroom Toilet
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Do not let the small surface on top of the toilet tank go to waste! In a vintage home bathroom, every inch of space is sacred. In this photograph, the homeowner is using the toilet tank as a spot to hold a basket of hand towels. It is right by the sink which encourages guests to grab a fresh hand towel upon exiting.
09 of Collapsable Storage Baskets
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Collapsable storage baskets with a cute print are a seamless way to store towels or cleaning supplies. They are paired here with an abundant collection of toilet paper and a shelf dedicated to pristine folded white towels. If aesthetics are your thing, white towels should be a forever go-to because they make any organized space look effortless.
10 of Clear Cubbies for Storing Towels in Bathroom
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- cinspiredby
The trend of using clear containers for organizing items by shape and color has exploded. In this white linen closet, you’ll find items like white sheets, pot holders, anti-static balls, as well as a stack of pure white towels. This is a great way to keep items separated, but visible, in your closet space.
11 of Exposed Cubby Shelving
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Exposed shelving can double as a great bathroom organizer and decor space. The shelf situated behind the shower has three cubbies with a large wicker basket, a towel stack, and a circular dish with tissues, candles, and an oil diffuser. The cabinet on the bottom is great for storing items that aren’t as aesthetically pleasing, like soaps, cleaners, and toilet paper.
12 of Figurine End Table as Bathroom Storage
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A figurine end table, typically reserved for living rooms, blends in beautifully with a vintage-inspired clawfoot tub. The end table offers three petite shelves with access to hand towels, a vase of flowers, and a candle. In addition, this old home features built-in shelving on the wall that can accommodate larger towels for bathing or showering.
13 of Shabby Chic Wall Gallery Shelving
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This elegant bath scene is composed of candles, florals, and other nods to shabby-chic decor. On the gallery wall behind the tub are two curved wire baskets, and in them rests a collection of mismatched hand towels. In a soaking tub with a tray, it’s important to be able to wipe your hands off to access the items in front of you without getting them wet. The wall baskets ensure that the towels can be quickly grabbed for efficient hand drying.
14 of Shelving With Organizational Straw Baskets
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The shelving unit displayed here maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance with straw baskets lined with linen for sneaky storage. Next to the baskets are stacks of pretty embroidered fringe towels. The Bohemian style of the homeowner ravels itself into the closet decor which is a unique way to keep cohesiveness throughout your entire home, even the spaces behind closed doors.
15 of Hand Towel Basket on Vanity
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In a restroom that is used by multiple patrons, keeping a fresh collection of hand towels by the sink is an ideal way to prevent the passing of germs. A cheeky little sign ensures that guests know the individual towels are for them. Paired with a small basket for discarding used towels, this farmhouse theme is not only cute but thoughtful.
16 of Wicker Stool in Bold Farmhouse Bathroom
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Stools are common elements found in farmhouse bathrooms. In this example, it is made of wicker and stands out beautifully on black and white stenciled flooring. Between the bottom shelf and seating surface, hand towels in three different sizes are stored not only for display but for easy access at the sink or shower.
17 of Storing and Displaying Monogrammed Towels
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Monogrammed towels deserve to be showcased. In this example, three monogrammed hand and bath towels hang from brass and silver rods both above the toilet and by the shower. Additional folded towels rest on the top of one of the rods that double as a shelf.
18 of Double-door Storage Cabinet With White Vanity
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A traditional, four-drawer vanity sits next to a double-door storage cabinet with full-length mirrors. Above the toilet is a rustic wood floating shelf that pairs with a large, wooden mirror. On the floor, a large basket is used for towels and other miscellaneous items.
19 of Repurposing a Planter for Towel Storage
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Venture into this serene bathroom scene with a modern freestanding tub to behold a unique towel storage container. In place of a rustic basket, the designer selected a gold-framed planter to store their towels. The color looks chic next to the other modern elements, and the planter provides enough space to store multiple towels together while being accessible to whoever finds themself soaking in a long bath.
20 of Chippy Cabinet With Open Shelving
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A distressed chippy cabinet is a faultless way to display and store bathroom linens. They can slide into corners seamlessly, and the shelving is sturdy enough to hold additional items if necessary. In addition, the tabletops can be decorated to reflect your bathroom’s style when there is limited space on the vanity.
21 of DIY Floating Closet Shelves
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In place of a builder-grade wire wrack that typically fills a linen closet, the homeowner built-in floating shelves instead for a modern upgrade. This creates a look that is aesthetically pleasing while permitting the storage of multiple folded towels beside cute decorative baskets and candles. This is an easy way to level up and organize a typically chaotic space.
22 of Classic Towel Rod in Neutral Bathroom
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You can never go wrong with a classic rod for towel storage. In a bathroom that is slightly above builder grade, matching your towel rod to your light fixtures or faucets will help the room look cohesive. The brushed nickel features are a nice touch to the sage towels and artwork that hang on the wall. Leaving towels out like this ensures that they are always available when needed.
23 of Laundry Closet Storage
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If you’re lucky enough to have a separate closet for storing laundry supplies, this curated cabinet is for you. On the top shelf are folded towels, above a shelf dedicated to laundry detergent in small glass cork jars. Cleaning cabinets are a great way to keep supplies that shouldn’t be displayed tucked away, and the shelf for towels is a bonus.
24 of Freestanding Glass Bathroom Storage Cabinet
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Enter this airy bathroom to find a freestanding cabinet equipped with towels, shelving decor, and drawers for extra storage. This storage idea can be placed anywhere with an open wall in the bathroom and is complemented nicely by coordinated honey brass hardware and white cabinetry.
25 of Petite Bathroom Cabinet
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A petite bathroom cabinet is squeezed in beside this pedestal sink. Because pedestal sinks lack storage capacity, a cabinet that coordinates with the color of the door is an ideal surface for storing towels either within the doors or visibly on top. For hand drying, a small black hook was added on the wall just beneath the light switches for fast and easy drying.
26 of Floor Baskets for Storing Towels in Powder Room
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In a powder room with limited space, it is advantageous to set a basket of towels on the floor beside a vanity. They are out of the way, reachable, and the baskets typically tie in perfectly with other decorative items. In addition to the basket are two wire hooks that hold handtowels by the door.
27 of Towel Hooks Above Soaking Tub
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The wall behind a soaking tub is often wasted, but not here! The designer hung an additional towel rack under floating shelves to accommodate full-size towels right by the bathtub. No more stepping out of the bath and walking across the room to access the towels! The stripes and fringe on the towels also pair perfectly with the leafy wallpaper, a functional and decorative feature of the space.
28 of Farmhouse Bathroom Shelving Décor
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Reclaimed wood floating shelves are the perfect place in a bathroom to store hand towels. Cheeky signage, candles, small clocks, and plants all in the same theme are ideal complementary decorations. As your guest is reaching for a hand towel, they’ll be enthralled with the other fun items they can adore on the shelf beside the basket of linens.
29 of Minimalistic and Efficient Bathroom Organization
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This bathroom closet is designed to be both efficient and showcase a minimalistic charm. With ample, open storage space and a simple shelf design, this closet is perfect for organizing bathroom essentials by making it easy to see what you need and retrieve it with maximum efficiency.
30 of Open Shelving and Towel Basket Storage
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A few methods are being utilized in this modern farmhouse bathroom for storing towels. First is the contemporary white vanity with open shelving on the bottom. You’ll see multiple white towels folded effortlessly together. Just in front of the vanity is a vintage stool with a linen basket resting on top of it. If you’re short on linen closet space, this additional basket ensures that there is enough room in the home to contain all of the bathroom towels.
