How to Arrange Towels on a Towel Bar

Co-authored by Priscilla Bettencourt and Eric McClure

Last Updated: May 31, 2024 References

Got some guests coming over for a fancy dinner party? Looking for a fresh and interesting way to hang your bath and wash towels? If so, we’ve got you covered! There are plenty of unique ways to hang towels on a towel bar and we’re here to walk you through the most popular options out there. From simple folds you’d find in a hotel room to fancy pocket-style folds that can hold decorative washcloths, read on to learn the best ways to arrange towels on a towel bar!

Tips for Hanging Towels

Fold the towel into thirds lengthwise and then lay it over the towel bar for a super simple solution.
A pocket fold will create a small folder for you to display a cute accordion fold, flower, or washcloth.
Use a smaller washcloth to tie a bandana fold around your towel for a super modern look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Simple Fold

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You can use a table, the bed, a counter, or whatever is convenient. Fluff the towel out and smooth it down by hand. Turn the towel so the shorter side is closest to you.^{[1]
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Fold the long left edge of the towel into the middle of the towel. Then, fold the opposite third of the towel over the first third. Keep the tag tucked inside if you have guests coming over!^{[2]
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Fold the towel in half and hang it over the bar. Fold the two sides with the exposed seams on the back of the towel on top of one another. Then, set the towel over the towel bar. Adjust the hanging ends so they’re both even.^{[3]
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- If you’re hanging more than one decorative towel over the same bar, you can space them out a bit for a more practical setup, or line the towels up to touch for a fancier feeling.
To hang the hand towel, lay it on a flat surface and fold it into thirds vertically. Once it’s folded, drape it over the large towel on the rack. Choose towels that are color-coordinated if possible!

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Pocket Fold

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1
Spread out your towel on a flat surface. Turn it so that the long side of the towel is facing you. ^{[4]
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- The pocket fold is popular in hotels and luxury spas. The neat thing with the pocket fold is that you can put flowers, ribbons, or a small washcloth inside of the little pocket you create.
Bring the short left edge 1/4 of the way in toward the middle.^{[5]
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Grab the entire towel and flip it upside down without ruining the fold you've made.^{[6]
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Fold the bottom long edge of the towel up to the middle. Then, fold the top long edge the same way so that the two layers overlap on top of one another.^{[7]
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Fold the two flaps together loosely to secure the pocket and hang it up. See the ¼ fold of fabric from the first step? Grab the loose corner. Then, reach underneath the top layer of the towel and grab the other loose corner. Fold the two pieces together to secure the backside of the towel. Place the towel over the towel bar.^{[8]
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- This will keep your pocket from coming loose when it’s hanging up on the bar.
6
Fold a washcloth with an accordion pleat and put it in the pocket (optional). Lay the washcloth flat on a table and fold the sides lengthwise repeatedly to create pleats that overlap one another. Hold the washcloth tight in the center so it doesn’t come undone. Slide the small washcloth inside of the pocket you created on the hand towel. Fan out the washcloth to make it look like a ruffle in the pocket.^{[9]
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- Instead of placing a washcloth inside of the pocket, you could alternatively add some fake flowers, a ribbon, or a normally-folded washcloth.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Bandana Tie

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Smooth out the towel so it's wrinkle-free.^{[10]
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Fold the towel into thirds and then place it over the bar. Fold in the two longer edges so they touch in the middle. Then fold the towel in half and drape it over a towel bar. Straighten out the corners so the opposite sides are touching.^{[11]
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- This is a super unique look that’s going to impress guests when they see your towels.
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Fold a small washcloth into a triangle. You can use a washcloth that’s the same color as the towel for a more uniform look or mix it up for something different. Spread the washcloth flat and then fold it into a triangle by overlapping two opposite-side corners.^{[12]
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- For a more modern vibe, you can wrap the washcloth around both layers of the towel.
4
Tie the bandana around the towel. Carefully tie the corners of the washcloth around the front-facing flap of the bath towel. If the washcloth is very thick, use a large safety pin or clothes pin to hold it in place.^{[13]
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- Get creative and add some silk flowers or other crafty items you might have around to the pocket created by the bandana tie.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Wear-Reducing Fold

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Spread the towel out flat with your hand with the longest side facing you.^{[14]
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Fold the towel in half lengthwise. Grab the bottom corners and fold them up to the top corners. Do not press down on the seam you’ve just folded.^{[15]
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- The goal of this fold is to keep your towel as fluffy as possible. It’s not quite the best option if you’re looking for a beautiful towel fold for some guests, though.
Fold it in half in the middle. Adjust the corners so that all of them overlap on top of one another. Again, don’t push down on the fold.^{[16]
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Repeat the widthwise fold and set it over the towel bar. Fold the corners on top of one another again so that you have a thin, bulky towel with none of the creases pushed down. Slide the towel gently over the towel bar.^{[17]
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- The next time you hop out of the shower and grab a towel, it’ll be as fluffy as it would be when it just got out of the dryer!

Expert Q&A

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Question

What should I hang on a towel bar if I'm staging a bathroom?

Priscilla Bettencourt
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Priscilla Bettencourt is an Home Stager, Interior Designer, and the Founder of Halcyon Home Staging + Design, a home staging business based in San Francisco, California. Halcyon specializes in expansive staging services geared to maximize a property's resale value and transform any home into an inviting environment for potential buyers. Halcyon has received the “Best of Houzz Service” Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Priscilla Bettencourt

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Keep it simple—use textured white towels, which feel very clean and luxurious. Also, don't layer towels on the bar; just use a single towel.

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Tips

You can always fold a towel into a dog, elephant, or [[Fold a Towel Monkey|monkey’’ if you want something super unique and interesting!

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