Bathroom towel rail and hook buying guide

Towel rails are used to hang up your towels, allowing them to dry out before the next use and avoid unpleasant odours in the process. Wall-mounted towel rails are generally the most commonly found and these help to save on floor space. Ideally fitted beside the sink or shower, some towel rails come with additional features such as soap dishes or various forms of storage. You can choose from a range of materials:

• stainless steel: hard-wearing, water-resistant and modern;

• wood: lends character to your bathroom;

• PVC: rot-proof, durable and offers excellent value.  

Heated towel rail combine the functions of a towel rail and a heater and are usually wall-mounted. Made up of a set of heated horizontal bars for hanging towels, heated towel rails also gently heat the air in your bathroom, making them a very effective additional to your heating system. They can even be used as your sole bathroom radiator.

Bathroom hooks can also be used to hang towels, as well as face cloths, clothes and dressing gowns. These units consist of one, two or four heads.

Wall-mounted bathroom hooks

These handy bathroom fittings come in a range of different designs.

• Screw-in wall hooks, durable and hard-wearing (require fixing plugs in the right size);

• Suction cup hooks, for quick installation on tiled surfaces;

• Self-adhesive wall hooks, don't require any drilling.

Materials

You can also choose from a variety of materials:

• stainless steel, for unbeatable strength;

• aluminium, lightweight, hard-wearing and rust-resistant;

• bamboo, good moisture-resistance;

• plastic, inexpensive.

Wall hooks, like any other bathroom fitting, should be chosen according to your requirements, the style you're going for, and any practical considerations (such as installation method).

Follow these links for advice on bathroom accessories and more helpful guides:

• How to furnish your bathroom

• Bathroom furniture buying guide

• Hot tub buying guide

• Sauna buying guide

• Bathtub buying guide

• Shower enclosure buying guide

• Shower tray buying guide