Single Towel Rails

Single Towel Rails That Last

A single towel rail is the plain workhorse of the bathroom: one bar, one bath towel, on the dry side of the room. This category holds single rails around 750 to 900 mm long, in finishes that match the rest of the accessories. Measure the wall before you choose a length, and decide between a single and a double before anyone drills.

Buying guide

Choosing a Single Towel Rail

A single towel rail is bought by wall length first and finish second, and it must go on a wall that stays dry.

What to Look For in a Single Towel Rail

Length. Measure the stretch of wall between the door frame and the basin or the shower screen, then choose a rail that stops short of both. A bath towel folded once wants roughly 600mm; a rail too long for the wall is the most common return.

Single or double. A single rail dries one towel well. Two towels on one bar never dry. If two people share the bathroom, a double towel rail holds both with air between them.

Material. The tube can be hollow; the weak point is the post where the rail meets the flange, because that is where water sits. Brass or stainless steel 304 there outlasts plated zinc in a humid room.

Finish. Match it to the tap, then buy the towel ring, robe hook and toilet roll holder in the same order so the finish is from one run.

Fitting a Towel Rail

Height. About 1.2m from the floor works for most adults, so a bath towel hangs clear of the floor. Above a bath edge, go a little higher so the towel does not trail in the water.

The dry side. A rail inside the shower spray drips on the floor and the towel never dries. If the bathroom has no dry wall at all, look at a towel shelf by the door instead, or keep the towel outside the room.

Two flanges, one level line. Mark both ends with a spirit level on masking tape, aim for tile centres, drill slowly with hammer action off, and use a plug suited to what is behind the tile. Silicone the top edge of each flange afterwards.

The rest of the bathroom accessories range follows the same fixing rules.

Common questions

What is a single towel rail?

A single towel rail is one horizontal bar on two wall flanges, sized for one bath towel. It is the simplest towel fitting in the bathroom and the one most rooms need on the dry wall.

What length towel rail do I need?

Measure the wall first. A bath towel folded once needs about 600mm of bar; a rail of 600 to 800mm suits most bathrooms. Choose the length that stops short of the door frame and the basin, not the longest that looks impressive.

How high should a towel rail be?

About 1.2m from the floor. Higher if it sits above a bath edge, lower if it is for a child. The test is that the towel hangs clear of the floor and clear of the basin counter.

Single or double towel rail?

Single if one person uses the room, or if wall space is short. Double if two people share the bathroom, because two towels on one single bar do not dry.

Where should a towel rail go in a small bathroom?

On the driest wall, which is usually the one beside the door. If the only wall is inside the shower spray, use a robe hook by the door instead, or a towel shelf that folds away.

Measure the wall between the door frame and the basin before you choose a length: too long is the most common return.

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