Bath Hardware: How to Choose What's Best for Your Home!

Update: Over the past few years, there have been a few updates to the Bathroom Collections that we have available here at Stone Harbor Hardware. We have added a new Matte Black finish to a few of our established collections, including the Charlotte and Lakewood collections. Consider checking out the bars, rings, and hooks each collection offers in the popular Matte Black finish!

So, you’re remodeling a bathroom! How exciting! You’ve spent hours on Pinterest, dreaming about the perfect, spa-inspired retreat. You’ve picked out the tile and paint, and you can’t wait for the finished product. But what about your hardware? Have you thought about whether you have room to hang towel bars by the shower? What are you using by the sink? A simple hook? A towel ring? Suddenly, there are a lot more choices to make.

Thankfully, there’s not one right answer. When it comes to your bathroom hardware, personal preference is king. However, before you put holes in the freshly-painted walls, it’s a good idea to come up with a plan for your bathroom hardware.

First, think about who will be using the room. Is this a spacious master bathroom that will just be used by one or two people, the main bath for a busy family, or a guest bathroom that will be used twice a year?

Next, look at the amount of space you have in your bathroom. A bathroom with a separate tub and shower may have enough wall space for several towel bars, while a compact bathroom may only have room for one towel bar next to the combined tub and shower.

Towel bars are a good option if you have a lot of wall space near the tub or shower. Towel bars allow towels to dry without being bunched up, so they dry faster than towels might on a hook or ring. Towel bars come in multiple lengths, so you may want to measure your bath towels and choose a bar that’s long enough to accommodate your favorite set of bath towels.

Hooks are a great choice for small bathrooms that will be used by several people. A small bathroom may only have enough open wall space for one 24” towel bar, but the same space could hold three or four robe hooks. If several people will use one bathroom, you could install a hook for each person so no one uses the wrong bath towel!

 Robe hook image courtsey of Happe Homes. 

Because of their size, towel rings are best suited for small spaces, such as near the sink in a powder room or half bath. They’re designed to hold hand towels or other small towels. It’s best to install towel rings within easy reach of the sink. This will help keep your guests from dripping water all over the room after they’ve washed their hands!

For especially tight spaces, consider using an over-the-door towel bar. Even though these aren’t permanent fixtures, the space savings are well-worth it when inches count. Be sure the door can still close with the rack on it, however. 

Free-standing towel ladders can also be a great option for larger bathrooms, especially if you have a deep bathtub that's designed for soaking. Place one within arm's reach of the tub for easy access after a bath. As a bonus, some towel ladders feature a shelf, giving you a handy place for plants, candles, or other accessories. 

Putting some extra thought into your bathroom hardware can make the finished space both functional and beautiful. After all, that’s what any project is all about!