Towel Rails

An unheated towel rail is simply somewhere to hang a towel — no plumbing, no electrics, just a bar on the wall. In most bathrooms you need one or two of these regardless of whether you also have a heated rail.

Types

• Single bar — the standard, sized to a bath sheet.
• Double bar — two towels in the same wall width, useful in a shared bathroom.
• Swivel arm — arms fold flat against the wall, good where a fixed bar would obstruct a doorway.
• Towel ring — for a hand towel beside the basin. See towel rings.

Where to put it

Within reach of the shower or bath without being in the spray, and high enough that a hanging towel does not touch the floor — around 1200mm to the bar suits most bath sheets. Leave clearance below.

Fixing

A wet towel is heavier than people expect, and a rail gets pulled on. Use fixings suited to the wall, and into tile it needs a proper tile drill bit rather than a hammer action, which will crack the glaze.

Finish

Match to your other bathroom accessories and brassware. Mixed finishes are noticeable in a small room.

Want warm towels? See heated towel radiators.