How to Roll Towels for Storage

Co-authored by Caitlin Jaymes and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: September 11, 2024 Fact Checked

If you have a lot of towels but not a lot of storage space, rolling them up is a great way to make them smaller and easier to stack. However, you don’t just have to tuck your towels away in a closet — after all, style and functionality can go hand in hand!^{[1]
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Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist

[v161217_b01] 5 February 2021.} Once you’ve rolled all your towels up, keep reading for decorative storage ideas that you can use in your very own bathroom.

1

Fold a towel in thirds, then roll it up.

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Make your towels look like they’re straight out of a hotel. Spread the towel flat on a table, then fold it in half widthwise (or hamburger style). Fold the towel in half one more time, going widthwise again, to make a long rectangle shape. Finally, grab one of the short ends of the towel and roll it tightly in on itself.^{[2]
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- You’ll be left with a tightly rolled towel that will hold its shape no matter where you put it!
- This trick works best on bath and shower towels. It’s not so great for smaller hand towels or washcloths.

2

Tuck a towel into a triangle, then roll it.

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This is a slightly more secure way to roll your towels. Fold your towel in half widthwise, then grab one of the corners and bring it across the towel to create a triangle. Flip the towel over and then fold the corners in thirds, creating an envelope shape with the towel. Flip the towel back over, then start rolling from the bottom flat edge. When you get to the top, tuck the pointed edge inside of the towel itself.^{[3]
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- This is a great way to roll towels if you’re storing them for a long time or you won’t be stacking them on top of each other. They’ll stay tightly rolled no matter where you place them.

3

Stack towels in a closet.

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Your linen closet just got a whole lot roomier. Once all your towels are rolled up, stack them in a pyramid shape on a shelf in the closet. When you need to grab one, just pull from the top of the stack and replenish it as it gets low.^{[4]
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- This is a great way to make your shelves a little more beautiful (and a lot more organized).

4

Hang them in baskets.

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Who says you can’t show off your towels? Hang up 2 or 3 wicker baskets on your bathroom wall and place your rolled towels in each one. Your guests will feel like they’re on a beach vacation!^{[5]
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- If wicker doesn’t really match your style, try going for metal baskets instead.

5

Place them on a toiletry table.

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Make your bathroom feel like a luxury spa. Get a small table or cart with at least 2 shelves on it. Place your rolled towels on the bottom, then add candles, bath salts, flowers, and a loofah to the top. You’ll feel like a VIP every time you step out of the tub.^{[6]
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- You can find carts or tables like this at most home goods stores.

6

Use a wine rack to hold towels.

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Your towels can have a fancy holder, too! Find a small wooden or metal wine rack and place it on your bathroom counter. Carefully slide a rolled towel into each slot for easy-to-access storage.^{[7]
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- If you don’t have a lot of counter space, try a free-standing wine rack instead.

7

Tuck them away in a large basket.

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Maximize your space with a wicker storage space. Buy a large wicker basket and place your rolled towels in there, stuffing as many in as you can. Place the basket somewhere out of the way, like under the sink or beside the toilet.^{[8]
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- Large baskets can usually hold up to 5 rolled towels at a time.

8

Stack towels in bins with dividers.

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Make your storage look stylish with a few plastic bins. Grab a few cube storage bins and place them on their sides so the opening faces outward. Place 2 diagonal dividers into each bin to create 4 separate slots in a diamond shape. Then, put a rolled towel into each slot.^{[9]
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- You can leave the bins free standing or put them in your linen closet for easy storage.

9

Try a shoe organizer.

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Over-the-door storage saves a lot of space. Hook a plastic shoe organizer over the back of your bathroom door, then slide a rolled towel into each slot. You can use any extra space to hold hair care items, accessories, or your favorite slippers!^{[10]
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- Look for a shoe organizer at a home goods store near you.

10

Put rolled towels into a bowl.

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A serving bowl makes your towels look chic. Find a large serving bowl or platter and place it on a shelf in your bathroom. Stack your towels on top of it to give the place a spa-like look and feel.^{[11]
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- For extra fanciness, look for a wooden bowl or platter.

11

Try a ladder stand with hanging baskets.

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Decorative ladders are all the rage lately. Put one up in your bathroom and hang a wire basket on each rung. Stack your rolled towels in the basket for cute, easy access. If you have any extra rungs, drape a few larger towels over them for extra decoration.^{[12]
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- If you want a decorative ladder and you don’t want to break the bank, try checking out thrift stores near you.

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Question

How do I pack my towels for moving?

Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager
Marty Stevens-Heebner is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Clear Home Solutions, a home organizing and senior moving management company based in Southern California. Marty is the President of the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM), with certifications in Senior and Specialty Move Management, Professional Organizing, and Aging in Place. Clear Home Solutions was the first nationally accredited firm in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Marty is the first Certified Senior Move Manager (SMM-C) in the United States and has been acknowledged as a Hoarding Specialist and ADHD Specialist through the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Marty also hosts How to Move Your Mom (and still be on speaking terms afterward), a podcast dedicated to later life and all its idiosyncrasies. She received her B.A. in History from Cornell University and an MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®

Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager

Expert Answer

Pack some of your towels in an "open me first" box. This way, you'll have easy access to your towels when you first move to a new place.

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Question

How do you display towels on a towel bar?

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

Just do your best to keep it simple. White textured towels usually feel more luxurious, and all you gotta do is some nice creative fold with a single towel.

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