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How to Fold & Hang Towels Decoratively: 11 Expert Tips
Ed Malaker
Last updated:
Fancy towels in the bathroom and kitchen can go a long way toward improving the appearance of those rooms. However, many people aren’t sure where to start when it comes to hanging these towels decoratively. If this sounds like your situation, keep reading as we list several methods that you can use to upgrade your towel situation without spending much money. There are tips for folding, rolling, and hanging your towels so they look nice in your home.
The 11 Tips on How to Fold & Hang Towels Decoratively
Decorative Folding Options
1. Towel Fold
Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay
When attempting to hang towels more decoratively in your home, we recommend starting with the simple fold, as it looks great and can go a long way toward improving the overall appearance of your closets or anywhere else you store the towels.
How to:
Lay the towel flat on a clean surface.
Fold the towel in half longways, so the corners line up, and smooth out the wrinkles as best you can.
Fold the towel in half again in the same direction. Grab the towel by the corners and fold it toward the crease that you made when you folded it the first time.
Now, fold it the other way by carefully grabbing the towel at one end and folding it to cover about 1/3 of the towel.
Fold it again the same way, which will result in folding the towel in thirds to create a nice, even, stackable towel.
2. Towel Roll
Image Credit: JumpStory
The towel roll is a great alternative to the towel fold. It helps make the towels appear more decorative and easier to display, especially if you have multiple colors. However, they don’t hold up as well because they tend to unroll if you bump or move them.
How to:
Lay the towel flat on a tabletop.
Fold the towel in half longways so the corners line up.
Fold the towel in the same direction again as in the towel fold.
Now turn the towel to fold it in the other direction
Grab the towel at the end, and fold just a few inches over the rest of the towel, keeping the edges as straight as possible to start the roll.
Continue to roll the towel until you reach the other end.
Display these towels with the end of the roll at the bottom to help them keep their shape.
3. Towel Hang Option 1
Image Credit: JumpStory
Hanging towels is a great option, especially with used towels, because it helps them dry faster. It also enables you to show off your most decorative towels because they are easy to see, and with a little effort, it isn’t difficult to hang them so they look nice.
How to:
Lay the towel flat on a clean table, or hold it up against your body
Fold the towel in thirds longways while lining up the edges so you have a long thin towel.
Drape the towel over a towel hanger, placing the fold midway through the towel.
4. Towel Hang Option 2
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The Towel Hang Option 2 method is quite decorative and helps make your towels look larger while seeming to defy gravity.
How to:
Lay the towel flat on a clean table, or hold it up against your body.
Fold the towel in thirds longways while lining up the edges, so you have a long thin towel.
Fold one end of the long towel about 1/3 of the way.
Drape the towel over a towel rack so the folded third hangs in front, allowing the longer remainder to hang in the back. The heavier front will keep the towel in position, while the longer back will display more of the design and provide a unique appearance.
5. Towel Hang Option 2 — Advanced
Image Credit: JumpStory
This method uses a second, smaller towel to complete the look, and it will give your bathroom or kitchen a more layered appearance.
How to:
Begin this method by folding your towel as described in the Towel Hang Option 2 method and placing it on the towel rack.
Fold a second, smaller towel the same way as the larger one.
Place this second towel directly over the first one. The small front part should fit nicely within the edges of the large towel while the back vanishes out of sight but still keeps the towel in place. There won’t be any ends sticking out of the front-facing towels, helping to achieve a neater appearance.
Decorative Hanging Options
6. Towel rack
Image Credit: Michiel van Kaam, Unsplash
The towel rack is one of the easiest options on this list. Towel racks are standard in many kitchens and bathrooms but are usually quite plain and don’t offer much eye appeal. You can try replacing your old rack with a newer, more attractive design for a quick and easy upgrade. In most cases, you can find one the same size so you don’t need to make any new holes, and installation will only take a few minutes. Best of all, there are many options available so you can find something that looks old-fashioned and rustic or modern and sleek.
7. Wooden Pegs
Image Credit: Roger Utting, Shutterstock
A great and inexpensive option that you can use for hanging towels more decoratively in your bathroom is to use wooden pegs, like you might have for hanging coats. These are easy to install and even easier to hang towels on, making them ideal for large families with many children struggling to keep the bathroom clean and organized.
8. Metal Hooks
Image Credit: Lenar Nigmatullin, Shutterstock
Metal hooks are great for fast-paced homes with members who don’t have time to fold and place a towel neatly on a rack. A hook enables you to hang the towel in any way, and it will still look good. Even when there is no towel, a hook will look more attractive and elegant than a wooden peg, though it will be slightly more expensive.
9. Clothesline
Image Credit: JumpStory
An ideal option for people looking to hang towels more decoratively is to install a faux clothesline. We recommend using a decorative corded or linen rope instead of wire for a more attractive appearance, especially for times when no towels are hanging. Two clothespins per towel will hold them securely and help them dry more quickly. A faux clothesline is also great for people with decorative towels that they want to show off because it helps hold them open.
10. Quilt Rack
Image Credit: Scott L. Williams, Shutterstock
Quilt racks are standalone units that you can use to hold quilts, towels, and blankets. There are many variations, from simple and inexpensive to detailed and costly. They help enhance the appearance of any room, and unlike many of the other options on this list, you can move them if you need to. You can also put them to other uses if you have no towels to hang.
11. Ladder
Image By: July Ko, Shutterstock
Ladders are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to hang towels more decoratively in the bathroom and other home areas. The multiple rungs enable you to hang several towels, so it can be a great space saver, and you can also hang the towels in different ways to help show off the designs on your more attractive towels. The ladders are usually not that expensive and come in many different styles to suit any budget and design requirement. They are also quite versatile and can hold all sorts of items besides towels.
FAQ
Why shouldn’t I throw my towels in the hamper with my other clothes?
You should hang and dry your towel using one of the options on this list instead of tossing it into the hamper with your other clothes because the towel will be wet after you dry yourself off after your shower. The moisture in the towel will enable mold and mildew to grow within a day or two, which will cause all the clothes in the hamper to smell bad.
Image By: Annie Spratt, Unsplash
Where should I hang my towels in the bathroom?
Place your towel rack, metal hook, or another hanging mechanism wherever it fits and is easily accessible to everyone in the family. If installing into a wall, use a stud finder to find a good location to drive in screws or nails, so the towels can hang securely for many years. If the walls have tile and you are new to DIY projects, install your hanging mechanism onto the back of the bathroom door, or use a quilt rack that sits on the floor if you have the space.
How often should I clean my bath towel?
Most experts recommend washing or swapping out your bath towel for a clean one at least once per week. Change them more frequently if they start to smell like mildew or if you or other family members are not feeling well, to help prevent the spread of disease.
Image By: brizmaker, Shutterstock
Why do my towels always smell bad?
If your towels tend to smell like mildew when you go to use them, it means there is too much humidity for the towel to dry correctly. Adding more ventilation by installing a fan or opening the window for a few minutes after your shower can help. If you are folding your towels to hang on a towel rack, it might be preventing the moisture from escaping. Try using wooden pegs or metal hooks to allow the towel to hang open so it can dry out faster.
Conclusion
Several options are available for hanging your towels more decoratively in your home. For example, if you have a small family, we recommend a fancy towel rack or the faux clothesline, which can add a unique, elegant, or even colorful twist to the bathroom. If you have a large family and want an option that more people are likely to use, the wooden pegs and metal hooks are simple, work well, and are easy to use. They also help dry the towels quickly, so there is less risk of mildew or mold. Ladders and the quilt rack will also help you hold several towels neatly. Hanging your towels using the methods described here will help make them look good, whether on a rack or in a closet.
Featured Image Credit: Positive_Images, Pixabay
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Ed Malaker
Ed Malaker is an experienced writer who has brought his knowledge to a wide range of blogs, including home improvement, guitars, computer programming, tools, fitness, and pets. If you don't catch him writing, you can usually find Ed working in the garden or taking on DIY projects around the house. Ed’s also a talented musician, spending time composing music for independent films or helping people fix their guitars.
Ed Malaker
