Ditch Boring Towel Holders — This Retro '80s Find Is A Better Way To Hang Bathroom Towels

When it comes to interior design, detail is more important than you may think. From cabinet hardware to how textures and patterns are utilized within each room, even small elements can alter the way the space fits together. For the bathroom, it makes a difference when you put careful thought into each practical and decorative piece to ensure the area feels cohesive and intentional. With that in mind, why not take a moment to reconsider your towel holder?

If your current towel holder is plain, awkward, or simply looks a little out of place, then don't worry. You can actually swap this item out for something that has both retro charm and plenty of practical uses: standing towel racks from the 1980s, which are a wonderful alternative for modern homes for a few different reasons. 

First, there are plenty of different standing towel bars available on a range of secondhand sites, and they can likely even be found with relative ease in person at thrift stores or antique shops. This means you can grab one that has an unusual, 1980s-specific design, thus helping to give your bathroom a more unique, less typical look. In addition, unlike standard mounted towel holders, standing towel racks can be moved, allowing you to adjust their position depending on what you are currently doing in the space. Standing racks also tend to be able to hold more than towel rings due to the multiple horizontal rods that are a part of their design. So let's explore how you can ditch your traditional towel holder for a charming 1980s towel rack.

In order to style a 1980s towel rack so that it looks good in your modern home, it is important to find the right one. Some retro towel racks have curved edges and lines, which are likely more suited to interior designs that emphasize natural shapes and materials. Other styles use bright primary colors, which were popular in that era, making them a good choice for bathrooms that are in need of a little more color variation or for maximalist decor schemes. These racks can also be bought secondhand in a variety of metals — such as brass or chrome — so think carefully about which metal would work best with your existing bathroom hardware.

Then you can begin styling your chosen retro towel rack in your bathroom. You could layer a few different towels on the rack which have different patterns on them, adding extra depth and visual interest to the rack. Remember to combine style and practicality by placing frequently used hand towels towards the front and lesser used beach or shower towels lower down. 

One important thing to keep in mind when thinking about styling these racks is that they are freestanding. So if you have a small bathroom with limited floor space, they might not be the best option for you. But if you find one you really like the look of, then you could use it for an alternative use. For example, you could repurpose it to hold blankets in the living room or as cute kitchen towel storage with a vintage twist.