What To Consider Before Installing A Towel Drying Bar In Your Bathroom

Are your relationships hanging by a thread because your housemates refuse to hang up their wet towels? It's a classic conundrum of cohabitation, yet there's no need to throw in the towel on the dream of a harmonious homestead because of others' annoying habits. A simple solution is to install a towel drying bar in your bathroom that makes it nearly impossible for family members to keep dumping damp laundry on the floor. However, before this colossal conversion can commence, it's critical to consider towel drying bar types and placement.

While there are a variety of towel hanging options to choose from, bars are especially ideal if your goal is to completely dry out towels in the fastest time possible. Hooks don't allow towels to spread out to their full capacity, which can accelerate mold and bacteria growth. Likewise, towel rings also hinder efficient drying and arguably aren't as aesthetically pleasing as bars. What's more, neither hooks nor rings offer the same support for extra-large heavyweight bath towels. And, considering how bulky wet towels can get, you'll appreciate the added sturdiness horizontal towel bars offer.

One of the best ways to make your bathroom feel like a spa is to install a heated towel drying bar that provides warm, fluffy towels post-shower. Moreover, you can't enjoy such pampering unless you hang your towel on the bar, thereby incentivizing towel-tossers to change their ways.

If you have a larger bathroom, consider a free-standing towel drying bar rather than a wall-mounted version. The former features a rack of bars to dry multiple towels at once and works by simply plugging into a standard outlet. It stands on two stabilizing feet and can be easily moved to accommodate various bathroom arrangements. The latter is slightly more complicated to install as it requires mounting to a wall and connecting to your home's electrical system. Both models can heat towels to roughly 140 degrees Fahrenheit in anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on wattage. However, there is a burn risk for skin exposed to the bar's direct heat for more than four seconds.

Another option to entice a transformation in towel-droppers is convenience. Consider installing a swing-arm towel drying bar. The device's base is mounted to the wall while its horizontal bars can be individually moved back and forth to satisfy multiple users. It's ideal for kids or those with mobility issues as the bars can be moved to best suit their reach. The downside is that most swing-arm bars are limited to holding smaller or lightweight towels.

Towel drying bar placement is key if you want towels to be rehung after they're used. To make this dream a reality, first consider height. The ideal height for your bathroom's towel bar is 48 inches from the floor. However, if your home is filled with humans blessed with height or you're outfitting a bathroom for young children, you may want to raise or lower the towel bar to make it easier for them to access. Keep in mind, though, if you place the bar too low you run the risk of bath towels dragging on the floor, attracting dust and germs.

To maximize accessibility, add a towel drying bar to an open wall. In smaller bathrooms, this may be perpendicular to a vanity. This convenient location next to the sink is especially advantageous if you're using the bar to hang hand towels. Another creative option for cramped spaces is to install a towel bar on a shower door. Otherwise, you can purchase a shower door that features a built-in towel bar on the outside. The disadvantage to this arrangement is that the towel bar will likely only hold a single towel. If space isn't an issue, consider mounting two bars next to each other on a bathroom wall within arm's reach of the shower. The goal is for house members and guests to comfortably grab and rehang towels themselves so you aren't left high and dry when it comes to bathroom cleanup.