Standard Towel Bar Height (Bathroom Design Guide)
Knowing exactly where to place a towel bar can be a tricky topic. Ask five different people, and you may get five different answers. Here, we demystify the topic so you can know the exact towel bar & ring placement and height for best results.
What is the Standard Towel Bar Height?
The standard towel ring height is 48 inches above the floor. Some types of towel bars are a little more decorative and can make the hanging and bar height a little different from each other.
The 48 inches from the floor should be for the bar height, not the hanging height. When installing, measure the distance from the desired height of the bar to the placement of the hardware to accurately determine the exact spot on the wall where the bar should be mounted. This height allows the average person to access the holder easily. This also allows space for the towels to hang down without touching the floor.
If there are individuals such as smaller children or those with limited mobility or other restrictions, it is best to decrease this size to 44 inches from the floor to the bar. If the holder includes more than one bar, then there should be a space of at least 2 inches between each one to allow for space for the towels.
How High Above the Vanity Should the Towel Ring Be?
When a towel ring is above the vanity, there are a few more obstacles that are to be taken into account.
The average size vanity is about 30″ to 32″ from the floor to the countertop. As a general rule of thumb, the towel ring should be hung about 20″ to 22″ above the countertop.
If the towel bar is set at the standard height of 20 to 22 inches above the vanity countertop or sink, there is still room to hang small hand towels. It is not recommended to hang bath towels over a vanity counter, as they will hang too low and are infrequently in the most convenient spot to grab while bathing.
Hanging bars for towels over toilets is acceptable. However, they will likely have a different placement than normal due to how high the toilet stands.
What is the Standard Towel Ring Height?
The standard towel ring height is 48 inches above the floor. With rings, there is a larger gap between the hardware for installation and the bottom of the ring. The 48 inches from the floor should be the distance from where the bottom of the ring sits, not the hanging height of the ring.
During installation, measure the distance from the desired height for the bottom of the ring to the hardware mounting point to determine the exact spot on the wall to hang the ring. This height allows for the average person to access the ring for the drying of hands. This also allows space for the towels to hang down without touching the floor or the vanity, if applicable.
In cases where individuals have limited mobility or other restrictions, it is best to decrease this height to 44 inches or lower from the floor to the bar so that they have better access to the towels hung there. This height can also be changed if placed beside a towel rod to keep all the hardware lined up for aesthetic purposes.
Where to Hang a Towel Bar?
Towel bars are best located on the wall closest to the bath or shower. Another good placement is near the bathroom sink. This decision can be made based on the size of the holder as well as the intended use of the towels.
The hand towel bar is to be smaller and placed near the sink, but the bath towel bar is larger and better placed near the bath or shower. It is important to make sure there is enough space on the wall for the length of the holder that is needed.
A larger bar can be 60 inches wide, while the smaller ones can be 40 inches. Determining that first will help find the optimal spot to position the holder.
In small bathrooms without wall space, a handy spot to hang a bar is above the toilet, especially in half baths. Read more about bathroom layouts on this page. This puts the towels beside the vanity, as there is no way to run into the bar protruding from the wall. This position can be for both bars or rings.
Depending on the height of the toilet, placing the towel holder above the toilet may require it to be raised a little from the standard height, depending on the type of towels that will be used in the space.
It is best not to hang a towel bar above outlets or switches. Extremely wet towels that drip down can cause shorts or other electrical problems. If it is necessary, it is recommended that they are at least 4 inches away from the outlet or switches in question.
For more related content, visit our guide to the standard toilet paper holder height here.
