This post about finding the perfect towel bar height was updated July of 2023.
Decorating Dilemmas is a weekly column in which our stylists answer your design questions, so you can tackle your home decorating project with complete confidence.
Decorating Question:
Dear How to Decorate,
What is the proper height to hang bath towel bars and hand towel rings?
Thank you,
Tracey D.
Decorating Answer:
Dear Tracey,
Thank you for your questions. Generally speaking, the average height of a towel bar should be 48 inches from the floor. This is also true for the hand towel ring.
If you are hanging towel bars in a children’s bath, you may want to hang the bar lower (36 inches from the floor). As the child grows, you can move the bar to 48 inches.
We do hope this info helps!
Sincerely,
The How to Decorate Team
Was this post about finding the perfect towel bar height helpful? Find even more answers and decorating inspiration across the How to Decorate catalog:
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Carol
I’m installing my 24 inch towel bar over the toilet. No where else to put it. Does this make sense?
Janet Hager
have a small bathroom being remodeled, bathtub no shower 18 inches of tile around all three sides of tub on walls. want to place towel rack on foot of tub. How far above to install it for bath towel. Also want to place a robe hook near tub where should be best place to put that. Please answer so as possible. Than you
Abbey Nolte
Janet,
Thank you so much for your question. We actually have a team of interior designers who would love to help you figure out your bathroom remodel. Simply upload images of your room and your question here, and one of our designers will reach out to you.
Abbey
Diane M Elfert
could you please tell me, how I can order the or find the queen bee basket, that you have on website. I love it and I want to put our extra towels in it. Please help. I would really appreciate it.
thank you,
diane
Caroline McDonald
Diane,
I’m so sorry but this basket is discontinued!
Christy
I agree with a hand towel ring being higher than 48″. Mine is at that height and my hand towel almost hits the counter. I’ve got a 6″ back splash and I want the bottom of the hand towel to barely touch the top of the splash. I’m going to have it raised about 6 inches and suggest they be hung higher for 36″ counters..
B.B Bergmann
If you have a “standard” bathroom then you can use a “standard height”. The US standard is 48″ However, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that bathroom towel bars be hung between 30 and 48 inches off the floor. A typical length of a large, plush bath towel is 55″. So when folded over a towel bar it needs 27 1/2″ to not touch the floor. This makes the lowest recommended height of 30″ look a bit awkward. To avoid an awkward appearance one should keep the bottom of a folded towel a minimum of 8″ above the floor. When we combine all to consider, a bar height of 37″ to 48″ above the floor is likely going to have the greatest visual appeal. Most homeowners like building or remodeling to achieve a custom bath, making the notion of a “standard” height a bit obsolete. But as repeated above — use common sense and a keen eye — have a helper hold your towel bar (with a draped towel) about where you think it should go. Once satisfied that the height hes the greatest appeal, go for it.
Jen Mathews
Hello, my contractor will be installing our new bathroom hardware soon. We’re using two double towel rods in our main bathroom and have decided to install one double rod above the other rather than side by side. My internet searches indicate that the lower double towel rod is to be 42 inches from the floor which seems way too low to me. Do you know, is this correct?
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Jen,
Our suggestion is just to place it wherever it feels comfortable to you. Depending on your height, it’s very possible that 42 inches is too low. There’s really no ‘correct’ place to hang the rod, so wherever feels natural will work just fine!
The How to Decorate Team
Scott
How did you come up with this measurement? Vanities today are 36″ to granite. That doesn’t leave room for a towel. If you’re measurement is based off of countertop it should be 24″ to bracket so towel doesn’t drag counter.
Kris
No. Hand towels are smaller than regular bath towels. You shouldn’t hang regular towels on a towel ring or small towel bar over the sink.
You CAN measure to the center of the ring or even bottom of the ring where the top of the towel will be. That way all your towels will be at the same starting height around the room. If you have a super high vanity then you can adjust up a few inches if needed but just a few. Main point is only hang hand towels on towel rings or small bars when the towel will hang directly over the vanity.
See picture btw above.
Elizabeth
What are we measuring the 48″ to; the base of the towel ring (where towel would hang) or the middle of the mounting bracket?
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Elizabeth,
The measurements are based on the floor to the mounting bracket, not the base of the towel ring. Hope that helps!
Best,
The How to Decorate Team