Decor Tricks to Showcase Your Towels With Flair

Like most homeowners, I used to see my bathroom towel rack as merely a functional storage spot for practical cotton towels. But over time, I've come to view this humble piece of bathroom hardware as an invaluable decorative element too. With some simple styling tricks, you can transform basic towel racks into beautiful showpieces that exhibit your towels with artistic flair.

You'll discover clever storage hacks for tucking away essentials while putting the gorgeous, fluffy towels on display. And I'll reveal quick DIY projects for adding artistic interest with wall decor, removable papers, and unexpected repurposed objects.

Essential Supplies for Decorating Your Towel Rack

Before diving into the decorative details, let's review the fundamental supplies you'll need to showcase towels in your bathroom.

Types of Towels

Plush cotton towels are ideal for daily use after bathing. For decorative accent towels, look for more stylish fabrics like waffle weave or textured linens. You can find decorative towels in vivid solids or striking patterns to complement your color scheme. Designer towel brands like Matouk and Sferra offer luxe detailing like lace trims and embroidery.

Complementary Accessories

Here are some useful accessories to have on hand for decorating towel racks:

• Trays or baskets: Help corral smaller items like rolled washcloths.
• Jars and bottles: Glass apothecary jars display Q-tips or cotton balls.
• Wall hooks: Install extra hooks for hanging towels or decorative signs.

Optional Extras

To take your towel rack display to the next level, consider working in these optional decorative touches:

• Artwork: Frame prints, photos or paint canvas pieces to mount above.
• Candles: Include glass votives or scented pillars to set the mood.
• Storage bins: Discreetly tuck cleaning supplies into labeled baskets.

Prep Your Towels for Display

Prepping plush towels for optimal presentation is an essential first step. Here are my best tips for getting them display-ready:

Washing Methods

Wash towels separately from everyday laundry to prevent lint and pilling. Use mild detergent and skip the fabric softener, which can leave behind a filmy residue. For extra fluffiness, add white vinegar to the rinse cycle. And for convenience, I recommend getting a towel warmer!

Folding Techniques

Fold towels into coordinated shapes before arranging in baskets or hanging on racks. Some easy folds to start with include:

• Triangles: Fold in half diagonally for visual symmetry.
• Rolls: Roll tightly from end-to-end to stand upright.
• Fans: Accordion-pleat into neat concertina fans.

Coordinating Colors

Group towels by color family for a soothing coordinated look. Or make a bold statement by mixing vivid solids and contrasting patterns. Just be sure to laundry them separately so the colors don't bleed.

Display Towels Artfully on Racks

Now for the fun part--dreaming up artistic ways to exhibit those display-worthy towels! Start with these basic yet beautiful arranging ideas:

Simple Draping & Hanging

For easy everyday styling, loosely drape towels over the rungs in flowing folds. Or hang them vertically using the whole length of the racks. This keeps the towels readily accessible for guests.

Creative Arrangements

Think outside the box when placing towels on racks! Try arranging them:

• In neat horizontal rows or vertical columns
• In repeating shapes like circles, triangles and concertina fans
• Tucked into trays or leaning inside baskets parked on rack shelves

Incorporating Accessories

Make the most of awkward narrow spaces between towel rungs! Here are some ideas forWorking practical items into the mix:

• Slide bottles and ceramic jars lengthwise into gaps.
• Roll up washcloths tightly to stand them on end.
• Use wall hooks to hang hand towels just below.

Add Pizazz with Wall Decor Overhead

Drawing the eye upwards, wall decor stationed over your towel rack instantly amps up the style. Try these quick DIY ideas for glamming up blank walls:

Framed Prints & Canvas Art

Choose artwork themes that tie into your towel colors or the overall bathroom motif. Black and white botanical prints have a classic spa-like feel. For beach baths, opt for ocean photographs or paintings of sea shells in coordinating tones of sand and surf.

Scrolling Quotes & Monograms

Add personalized panache with vinyl wall decals featuring inspirational quotes, whimsical phrases or your family's last name. These scrolling script designs have an elegant look with little commitment since they're removable.

Removable Wallpaper as Backsplash

Self-adhesive wallpaper lends itself beautifully to small accent walls behind towel racks. Peel-and-stick tiles or textured 3D panels make terrific temporary backsplashes. Abstract prints and moroccan motifs echo the colors of your towels for a pulled-together designer look.

Use Towels to Create Bathroom Rugs Too

With their soft textures and colorful patterns, bath towels can easily double as plush area rugs. Here's how to transform your towel rack into a charming DIY rug:

Hanging Towels from Bottom Racks

For free-hanging rugs, arrange towels over the bottom rungs of floor-level racks. Use binder clips or shower curtain rings to securely attach them.

Choosing Color Schemes

Pick towel colors that complement your existing bath mats and shower curtains. Warm metallics like copper and bronze reflect light beautifully against cool gray tiles.

Incorporating Textural Interest

Vary piles and textures for visual depth by interspersing waffle weaves and ribbed towels with flatter linen and cotton towels. Fringed styles add playful movement underfoot.

Store Essentials Discreetly Within Reach

While keeping decorative towels front-and-center, discreetly stash functional items nearby for easy access. These organizational tricks keep necessities handy without cluttering up the space:

Bottles Slid Between Rungs

Slide plastic bottles and ceramic jars lengthwise between rack rungs to keep daily essentials readily available but out of sight.

Hooks Along Bottom for Washcloths

Install cup hooks, command strips or over-the-door hangers along the bottom rack shelves for draping folded washcloths hidden from view but within arm's reach.

Tucking Supplies Into Labeled Bins

Decant bulky cleaning supplies like sponges, scrubs and rubber gloves into fabric bins trimmed with rope handles. Setting them on the floor beneath towel racks keeps these functional items organized yet discreetly tucked out of sight.

Keep Scented Accents Handy for Relaxation

Encourage leisurely lounging in your bathroom oasis by keeping scented accoutrements within reach. Display them atop corner shelves or in empty spaces between the racks' rungs.

Grouping Candles & Reed Diffusers

Gather assortments of thick glass votives and crackling pillar candles to set the mood. Accompany them with ceramic reed diffusers in matching gentle fragrances like sea salt neroli or eucalyptus rain.

Displaying Cotton Balls in Apothecary Jars

For an aromatherapeutic touch, fill vintage glass jars with organic cotton balls soaked in lavender water or rosewater toner. The jars' graceful silhouettes double as objets d'art when artfully arranged.

Placing Potpourri Dishes on Shelves

Keep the air perfumed by scattering dried petals and spices across hammered metal dishes parked in empty corners. Refresh the aromatic mixes monthly to prevent fading.

Special Touches to Upgrade Over Time

Looking to take your towel rack display from basic to brilliant? Here are some special touches for elevating its style over time:

A Ladder-Style Rack

Trade a conventional towel rack for an old wooden ladder tipped vertically against the wall. The inclined rungs give towels and accessories beautiful sloping lines. Or opt for an open metal frame fitted with woven bin shelves to hang towels while stashing extras.

Artistic Metal Rungs

Commission a local metalsmith to create custom rungs from textured wrought iron or hammered copper pipes. Handmade towel racks make artistic statements with their fluid shapes and forged textures.

Backlighting

Install sconce lights or puck lights above ordinary towel racks to bathe them in soft glows. The backlighting casts displays into sharper relief while lending a relaxing spa vibe.

Clever Decor Tricks for Rental Bathrooms

As a serial renter, I'm always seeking creative ways to personalize cookie-cutter bathrooms. Here are my best tips for showcasing towels in temporary spaces:

Washi Tape Accents

Use removable washi tape to edge mirror frames, tile backsplashes and existing chrome racks. Choose patterns that pick up towel colors for a pulled-together designer look.

Over-the-Door Storage

Compensate for missing linen closets by hanging storage caddies on the back of the bathroom door. Stash backup towels and toiletries in woven hampers or mesh pockets.

Create quick backdrops for beloved towels using self-adhesive wallpaper above existing racks. Abstract prints and grasscloth textures supply color and depth without damaging walls.

I hope you'll look at your bathroom towel rack as more than just a piece of furniture. Have fun playing with shapes, textures and configurations until you discover the ideal decorative display for your space. And don't be afraid to redesign the rack artwork seasonally--those beautiful towels deserve to shine!