32 Smart and Pretty Towel Storage Ideas

Use a Ladder for Towels

A decorative ladder is a charming way to add personality to a bathroom, but it's also an excellent space-saving storage hack for your towels. Unlike a towel bar that only provides space for one or two towels, a ladder has multiple steps, can easily be moved from one spot to another, and its low profile doesn't take up much space.

Install a Bar-and-Hook System

If you want a kitchen towel storage idea that's a little outside the box, you'll love this stunning look by home designer Ashley Montgomery. This cozy kitchen features a long brass bar underneath open shelving with simple S hooks for towels.

Collect Towels in a Basket

If you use towels often, a traditional hook or towel rack may not be able to keep up. An alternative option to consider is using a stylish wicker basket for excess towel storage. This is a great solution for well-trafficked laundry rooms and mudrooms.

Arrange Kitchen Towels Vertically

For many of us, stacking towels one on top of the other is a force of habit. However, sorting linens vertically, especially wash cloths and dinner napkins, allows for easier access. As an added bonus, it looks fantastic.

Display Hand Towels on a Shelf

If you're looking for a way to make your decorative bathroom shelf a little more practical, place your towels in a petite woven basket. Be sure to arrange them vertically for a neat and tidy look.

Store Extra Towels in a Basket

Busy families can go through a clean stack of towels as quickly as they've fold them. If this sounds like your household, consider adding a basket of extra towels to the bottom of your linen closet.

Collect Wash Rags in Trendy Trays

A decorative tray is one of the most versatile items for your home—use it to corral items on your coffee table, hold coffee accessories in the kitchen, or store towels in the bathroom. Roll towels and stack them inside the tray and place it on the vanity, on a shelf, or inside a cabinet for an organized and contained storage solution. Use this idea to improve your laundry room, bathroom, or linen closet storage.

Store Towels in Labeled Baskets

A pro tip from home organizers is to always label your storage. This tidy linen closet keeps towels neatly arranged in matching baskets with simple dry-erase labels. In this closet, every item has a home.

Create Cubbies on a Shelf

One trick to help you tidy up is to make sure every item you own has a designated spot. This linen closet's simple wire shelf makes it clear what goes where, so every stack of towels has a spot to belong.

Sort Kitchen Towels in Rolls

We've touched on vertical kitchen towel storage, but some professional designers and organizers prefer to roll towels instead. Whether you choose a row of rolled towels or traditional stacks is up to you. Either way, these tricks will help you tidy up.

Bundle Towels in Cubes for Travel

If you're heading out for a family vacation or a weekend camping trip, travel cubes can make linen storage much more organized. Pack your wash cloths and hand towels in vertical stacks for easy access.

Make Your Towels Match

As the years go by, you may find your cupboards full of assorted towels in multiple colors and patterns. One way to improve your towel storage is by swapping your chaotic collection for a set of matching, white towels.

Utilize Deep Drawers for Towels

If you're lucky enough to have some deep drawers in your bathroom, use them for towel storage, big and small. This gorgeous bathroom by the Neat Method team in NYC sorts hand towels in the top drawer and larger towels in the drawer below.

Mix and Match Your Storage Solutions

We've covered several towel storage ideas already, and if more than one has piqued your interest, why not pair a few? This stunning bathroom cupboard has a basic stack of towels mixed with basket storage for wash cloths and hand towels.

Color Coordinate Your Storage

Sometimes the simplest changes can make a world of difference. This kitchen drawer features towels sorted by color, gradually fading from light to dark. The end result is both tidy and tasteful.

Sort Towels in Baskets in Rolls

You don't have to choose just one towel storage idea. Combine rolled towels, vertically arranged towels, and basket storage. This unique option, inspired by Kate Lester Interiors, is sure to elevate your storage aesthetic.

Create an Industrial Statement Piece

If your budget and square footage allow, consider installing a custom ladder in your bathroom. This unique piece is ideal for towel storage, of course, but it also adds an air of luxury to your bathroom's design.

Install Some Basic Wall Hooks

There are a number of elaborate ways to add storage to your home, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. This stylish mudroom features a set of ordinary wall hooks for towel storage that is practical and compliments the overall design.

You can find single or double hooks in various finishes—besides hanging them near your tub or shower, you can also hang hooks on the back of the door to hold extra towels or bath robes.

Place Towels on a Decorative Stool

Perhaps you're reluctant to add another hole in your wall to create additional storage space. No need! Forgo the drill and purchase a decorative bench or stool instead.

Place a folded stack of towels on a small stool beside a freestanding or regular tub for a functional but stylish way to store towels. Arrange towels from largest to smallest to create a triangle shape and top them with a decorative soap to give your bathroom a hotel-style makeover.

Skip Folding and Rolling

Who says the first step to organizing your linens has to be folding? This stylish kitchen display by Breathing Room incorporates a couple of unfolded towels just to mix things up. Let this serve as an invitation: don't be afraid to get creative with your own towel storage.

Alternate Your Storage Solutions

A simple way to spice up your storage game is simply by alternating ideas. Stack your towels on the shelf, then in a basket. Switching back and forth between two storage solutions can add a little visual appeal to an otherwise boring display.

Layer Your Linens

The vast majority of us have grown up folding towels into squares and stacking one on top of the other, but have you ever thought to layer them? This subtle tweak to towel storage will give your drawers a hotel-like flair. Your drawers will look so luxurious, you won't want to touch them.

Bring in a Vanity Shelf

When selecting a vanity for your bathroom, keep storage in mind. Multiple types of storage—closed drawers and open shelves—as they hide the necessary, utilitarian bathroom items. They also display and allow convenient access to more decorative and everyday items, such as towels. Place folded or rolled bath towels on a vanity shelf, so they can easily be grabbed as needed and replaced with freshly washed ones.

Add Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a quick and inexpensive way to add extra storage to your bathroom, especially for hand towels and washcloths. Besides being practical, they also provide a surface to add some color and decor to warm up and personalize the space.

Utilize a Bath Caddy

An extendable bath caddy has compartments for everything you need to have a relaxing bath, and it's also a good spot to store washcloths. Place one or two clean washcloths in the caddy so they're always ready for use in addition to your other favorite bath products.

Divide Drawers

Speaking of drawers, keep smaller towels and washcloths organized using drawer dividers and storage containers. This will not only keep them in place, but it'll prevent other items in the drawer from dirtying or messing up the towels.

Install a Towel Ring

Hang towel rings next to a vanity to hold hand towels conveniently close to a sink. Install the ring at an easy-to-reach height and if you have a double vanity and space permits—hang one on each side.

Mount a Towel Rack on the Wall

A wall-mounted towel rack saves space and holds multiple rolled bath towels. Install it on a wall near the shower or the back of the bathroom or closet door to maximize space and add compact storage.

Display on Open Shelves

Open shelving provides convenient access to everyday necessities such as towels. Organize towels by size and either place them directly on the shelves or use woven baskets or plastic bins to hold smaller towels such as hand towels and washcloths

Store in Glass-Front Cabinets

A glass-front cabinet breaks up solid drawers and doors and adds a light and airy feel to a bathroom. It also provides a more decorative and visible way to store towels, products, and accessories.

Drape Over the Vanity

If you don't want to drill holes into the walls to install a towel ring or bar, simply keep a clean hand towel draped over the vanity at all times. Use a decorative towel with designs or tassels and fold it neatly, leaving half of it to hang over the vanity for an effortlessly chic designer-styled bathroom.

Hang an Organizer

Utilize a wall-mounted tiered organizer with pockets to store small towels by your vanity. Another versatile storage tool that can be used in multiple rooms within your home, use each compartment for a different group of items—towels, hair styling tools, and accessories. It'll get your daily essentials off the vanity surface and keep it clean and clutter-free.