Storage is one of the most important things you should think about when designing and decorating your home, and it can be tricky. Let’s be honest — bathroom towels have a sneaky way of ending up everywhere. Over the door, on the counter, shoved behind the hamper (just me?). I used to think we just didn’t have enough space, but turns out, we just didn’t have the right towel storage setup.
Whether your bathroom is tiny and tricky or big and beautiful but somehow still disorganized, the key is using smart towel storage ideas that fit your space and your routine. You don’t need a fancy built-in linen closet to stay tidy — sometimes a good basket or wall hook is all it takes.
Wall-Mounted Towel Storage Solutions
When you’re short on floor space (hello, tiny apartment bathrooms), using your walls is a total game changer. I started with a simple floating shelf above the toilet — folded towels on top, with a candle and a plant to make it feel a little more “intentional.” Then I got obsessed with peg rails. They’re cheap, easy to install, and give your bathroom this cozy, almost spa-like look, especially if you hang neutral-colored towels.
One time, I tried installing a decorative ladder rack without checking for studs — big mistake. It fell at 6 a.m. and scared me half to death. Lesson learned: always use proper anchors or find a stud.
If you’ve got a weird, narrow wall, vertical towel bars are a sleek fix. They don’t take up much space but hold multiple towels neatly. Wall-mounted storage doesn’t just help organize — it can totally elevate the vibe of your bathroom.
A metal wall shelf for storing towels, soaps, greenery in pots is a nice solution to save some floor space.
This one’s my favorite kind of multitasker—storage and decor. The little wooden shelf on top? Perfect for plants or candles or that hand lotion you always forget to use.
Minimalist, but not cold. The black frame with neatly rolled towels makes your bathroom look like a boutique hotel... even if it’s actually chaos just out of frame. (@ektaliving).
This one’s for when you’ve got a lot of towels and want them off the floor. It’s giving “I have guests over and everything is organized, don’t look under the sink though.” (@grandmix.store).
A wood and leather strap towel shelf will let you store not only towels but also decor and accessories.
This towel rack is giving spa-vibes without taking up a ton of space. Super sleek, modern, and honestly—rolling towels like that makes you feel way fancier than you are. (@industrialfarmco).
A stylish wall-mounted towel holder attached by the sink is a life changer that will save much space.
Floating shelves for towels don't look bulky and don't clutter your bathroom, this is a cool solution.
An industrial black metal wall-mounted shelf with various towels and a light over it is a stylish idea to store stuff.
Open shelves with baskets can store towels comfortably and here they take just some awkward space over the toilet.
Crates repurposed into wall shelves to store towels, a plant and other bathroom stuff you may need.
Freestanding and Floor-Based Storage Ideas
Not every bathroom allows for wall mounts, especially if you’re renting or just not in the mood to bust out a drill. That’s when freestanding towel storage comes in clutch. I’ve used a simple tiered cart next to the tub — rolled bath towels on the bottom, hand towels in the middle, and a candle or jar of bath salts on top. It looked cute and made things easy to grab.
Woven baskets are another go-to. I’ve got a deep one by the vanity that holds rolled towels — no folding needed, which is honestly a win on lazy days. I even used a wooden stool as a towel perch once. It doubled as a seat for kids and made the room feel more lived-in.
You can also try a freestanding rack if you’ve got the room. It keeps towels aired out, which means less musty smells — and more fresh, cozy vibes.
A minimalist wooden shelf with towels and various necessary bathroom stuff and railing for towels over it.
A chic wooden bowl for towels is a creative idea for a large bathroom, you may also place one for soaps.
A simple wooden ladder with some towels is a cool space-saving towel storage idea for every kind of bathroom.
A rustic side table or bench will always add a natural touch to the space and you can store towels on it.
A black ladder is a space-saving storage unit for any bathroom, it works not only for towels but also for other pieces.
Molger shelves by IKEA used for storing towels, baskets with soaps and foams, kids' toys and other stuff.
Over-the-Door and Behind-the-Door Options
For the longest time, I totally ignored the back of the bathroom door — big mistake. It’s actually prime real estate for towel storage, especially if your bathroom’s on the smaller side. I added a simple over-the-door rack with multiple bars and suddenly had room for all our daily-use towels. Game changer.
Another favorite? Behind-the-door slim shelving units. I found a super narrow one online and used it to roll and stack towels vertically. It fit perfectly, like it was meant to be there. If you’re renting or don’t want to commit, adhesive towel hooks are a no-drill option that actually hold up if you go with the heavy-duty kind.
And don’t overlook fabric organizers! The kind with pockets can hold rolled hand towels, washcloths, even backup toiletries. It’s not glamorous, but it works — and when you’ve got zero drawer space, that’s all that matters.
Honestly, this is a lifesaver in small bathrooms. Just pop it over the door, and boom—towel chaos handled. Super kid-friendly too.
A door towel rail is a great space-saving solution you can rock and it will hold a lot of towels.
This one’s a bit fancier—hooks for hanging and a shelf on top for backup towels. Great use of that weird above-door space we always forget about.
Built-In and Niche Storage Ideas
If you’re remodeling or even just doing a little DIY upgrade, built-ins are totally worth it. In one bathroom reno, we added a recessed shelf inside the shower wall — nothing fancy, just big enough for two rolled towels. And let me tell you, it felt like a luxury hotel move.
I’ve also seen folks turn awkward corners into towel cubbies. One friend built open cubbies under a bench, right by her vanity, and it looked so intentional. Like, functional and pretty. We did toe-kick drawers under our bathroom cabinets once, and they were the perfect hideaway for guest towels — super discreet.
If you’re not tearing out walls, you can fake the built-in look with shallow cabinets or bookcases. I once painted an old wall cabinet the same color as the tile, and it just blended right in. Hidden towel storage? Yes, please.
A built-in shelving unit that doubles as a shower space divider and holds all the towels is a smart solution.
Built-in shelves in the wall allow storing a lot of towels and bathroom stuff comfortably and without clutter.
Other Creative Towel Storage Ideas
Not everything fits neatly into categories, and some of the best towel storage tricks come from just… getting scrappy. One time I repurposed an old wine rack — rolled up hand towels fit perfectly and it looked kind of fancy without trying too hard.
I’ve also used magazine holders mounted sideways inside a vanity cabinet. They’re great for rolled-up washcloths or kids’ towels. And don’t sleep on s-hooks and tension rods — I strung a rod across a nook and used s-hooks to hang towels café-style. Weirdly satisfying.
If you’re working with no space at all, even a hanging shower caddy can hold a rolled towel or two. It’s all about using what you’ve got — creatively and without stressing.
A glass closet with towels is a nice towel storage piece but it fits only a large bathroom.
A chic contemporary bathroom done in neutrals and with simple furniture, with towels in the vanity and inside a stool.
A drawer in the vanity will save much space and hold everything you need, from towels to makeup.
A small wooden stool is a nice storage unit, you can also sit on it, so get a folding one for your bathroom.
A modern wooden vanity with an open storage space that allows to store some towels is a cool idea.
A free-standing towel rail is a nice towel storage solution for a bathroom that isn't tight on space.
A mesh basket is a nice and comfortable storage piece for towels, you can place it anywhere you want.
A pink felt laundry basket like this one can store a lot of towels and it looks pretty and cool.
I love this one 'cause it just works. A built-in towel rack and basket below? Functional and looks good next to pretty much any modern bathroom. (@andrebazaar.eg).
A wall-mounted multi-rail towel storage piece is a smart and cool towel storage unit for any bathroom.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, towel storage doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to work for you. Whether it’s a basket on the floor, a shelf on the wall, or a rack behind the door, a little creativity goes a long way. Try a few ideas, see what sticks, and don’t be afraid to mix function with a bit of style. Your bathroom (and your towels) will thank you.