12 design-forward towel rails to shop for a stylish bathroom

A black towel rail in a monochrome bathroom

(Image credit: Marni Epstein-Mervis. Design: Duett Interiors)

published 18 February 2023

Towel rails are more often than not a purely functional element of your bathroom interiors. But they are the perfect example of a prime opportunity to take something functional and create an aesthetic moment.

Tall ladders that lean elegantly against the wall are a popular way to create a decorative moment, like this design from Portland-based Duett Interiors. Here, the towel rack is an integral part of the design of the bathroom, breaking up the masses of space on the dark grey walls.

Wall-mounted towel rails are also proving popular in statement brass, brushed gold or nickel are also on trend, matching with taps and plumbing to bring a cohesive feel to any room and give a metallic sheen. I also like the industrial look of matte black rails - sleek, modern and unobtrusive.

Smaller, freestanding towel racks are also bringing a sculptural element to bathrooms, and if you've got the space, can be slotted into an unused corner for added visual interest. However executed, interior designers are all making a moment of these modern bathroom essentials. Here are 12 options that I'd happily have in my bathroom.

Oonagh Turner

Oonagh is an interiors writer and editor, and expert at keeping up with trends. She's also a keen online shopper, with shopping baskets full of decor must-haves that reflect wider trends from the world of interior design. For this story, she's picked her favorite towel rails and racks for a stylish bathroom.

Ladder-style towel rails

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Bamboo ladder in black

Add this functional yet decorative ladder to your bathroom for a nice decorative addition. The 60-inch tall white wood ladder is perfect for hanging towels.

Teak towel rack ladder

A rustic-style teak ladder that leans artfully against your bathroom wall, providing an elegant storage solution for your wood bathroom.

Norm Architects Menu towel ladder

The Menu towel ladder has five oak rungs, with a leather hanger for the option of hanging it on the wall. Alternatively, lean it aginst the wall for hanging towels in the bathroom.

Wall-mounted towel bars

Lafayette towel bar

This brass rack from Anthropologie has ornate end details and brings a glimmer of gold to your bathroom. Hardware is included meaning it's super easy to nail to the wall.

Whitecap teak bar

For a bit more of a rustic bathroom look, evocative of your own Scandi sauna, go for a wooden towel rack. This teak bar is a budget-friendly Amazon buy, but looks stylish in teak.

Nicolai towel bar

Coming in a variety of lengths and finishes, this black choice is my favorite of the options. With an industrial look, the material is solid brass, weathering all bathroom conditions.

Wall-mounted towel racks

Powell Kellin Metal Towel Racks

Iron and vertical towel racks where you can roll and stack your towels up the wall, creating an efficient and organized system while saving you valuable cabinet space.

Wall mounted towel rack

A stainless steel three-tier towel storage system. In gold, this storage shelf comes in a variety of sizes and is a great storage solution.

Amara wall mounted towel rail

A brass-finished towel rack that lends your bathroom a golden accent. Three tiers makes the most of your wall space and is a perfect space to store fluffy towels.

Free standing towel rails

Gunmetal standing towel rack

Organize your bathroom with this streamlined towel rack. With a sleek gunmetal finish, two hanging bars, it's an elegant design with a sculptural look.

Two-tier towel holder

Both sculptural and practical, this rack holds several folded towels. With a marble base and nickel towel stand, it's an elegant addition to any bathroom addition.

Edenscape towel rack

A minimalist bathroom design with space for folded towels along the bottom, the Edenscape freestanding towel rack will stand out in your bathroom with its oil-rubbed bronze finish.

Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com and an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. Writing a mix of everything and everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces on the website, as well as frequently featured in the monthly print magazine, she's the go-to for design advice in the home. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.