Swap Your Traditional Towel Bar For One Of These 8 Alternatives To Maximize Space

Making the most of the available space in a tight bathroom is always a challenge. If you've already followed all the expert recommendations for keeping the countertops free of clutter, your next challenge may be addressing the clutter on your walls. Keeping towels handy on a towel bar is convenient, but other solutions not only maximize vertical space and look nicer, but also allow you to hang more than just a couple of towels.

When you have limited space to start with, giving up two feet of wall space just doesn't sound like a wise use of resources. Now might be the time to ditch that traditional towel bar and opt for an alternative that will help you maximize the space you have. The options below feature more streamlined designs to cut down on how much space is consumed or feature additional storage and organizational elements to help you hold more than just a measly towel or two.

If you have a small household and want to reclaim some space taken up by a clunky towel bar, consider replacing it with a few towel hooks. Installing just one or two hooks takes up only a few inches of wall space, compared to the foot or more a towel bar requires. Their compact size also allows you to install them where a towel bar might not fit, such as next to a window or mirror, making use of otherwise wasted space.

These towel hooks from Homagic are a top choice to consider when you want to pair function with style. They offer a sleek and modern design that is available in eight different finishes. Choose from both cool and warm tones to coordinate with your bathroom fixtures and other decor pieces. Each hook has a diameter of just over 2 inches, so it won't take up much space. The majority of customers who have purchased these hooks are very happy with them. They have earned a 4.6-star rating, averaging from over 8,500 reviews. One customer highlighted how these hooks helped them maximize the space in their bathroom. They wrote, "We have a small bathroom with limited wall space. I used two for towel hangers and one for a hand towel hanger."

One thing you should avoid doing in a small bathroom is letting your vertical space go to waste. This wall-mounted towel rack from LIDTOP allows you to maximize just that. With a width of about 9 inches, the unit is narrower than many towel holders. However, its design makes it equally functional.

Instead of merely offering space to hang a towel or two, it provides multiple tiers where you can place rolled-up or folded towels. The four tiers can accommodate up to four full-sized bath towels or between eight and 16 smaller towels. In addition to the four lower tiers, there is also an upper basket where you can place toilet paper or other bathroom essentials, helping to keep your bathroom clutter-free. "It's sturdy, easy to install, and helps keep your towels organized and within easy reach. A great solution for maximizing bathroom storage," wrote one happy customer. Other customers seem similarly pleased with their purchase. This towel holder has a 4.4-star rating based on nearly 200 reviews.

Why take up nearly two feet of wall space to hang only one or two towels when you could hang these over-the-door hooks from SKOLOO on the back of your bathroom door instead? You'll free up that precious wall space while simultaneously being able to hold more towels — this towel holder has five double hooks, meaning you can store 10 items on it. You can further maximize your space by hanging bath robes, toiletry organizers, and so much more.

More than 2,700 customers have reviewed this product. And, more than 80% of them gave it a 4- or 5-star rating. One customer shared, "The space-saving design is perfect for small apartments or cramped closets. I can't recommend this over-the-door hook enough for anyone looking to maximize their storage solutions effortlessly."

This swiveling towel bar from KES is another option to consider if your bathroom has limited space. The design features a central post that mounts to the wall with either two, three, or four swiveling bars attached to it. Each bar rotates a full 180 degrees, allowing you to move them from one side of the central bar to the other. Rotate them out to separate the towels more when they need to dry, then simply slide them back into place to once again cut back on how much room the unit takes up.

KES offers this unit with three finish options — brushed, matte, and polished — to help you coordinate with the look of your bathroom. Each is made from durable stainless steel and comes with everything you'll need to mount it to your bathroom wall. Over 600 customers have given this swiveling towel bar a 4.6 average star rating. One reviewer wrote, "We love this towel rack! We have a small bathroom and we're able to consolidate our hand towels and regular towels onto this rack. Looks great, easy to install, and fits well in our small bathroom."

The Alise Towel Rack comes in 16-, 20, and 24-inch lengths, taking up about the same amount of wall space that most traditional towel bars require. However, its genius design works to make the most of this needed space, allowing you to hang more towels and even store other items. Unlike traditional models, it offers two separate bars. The bars are perpendicular and at slightly different heights. This means that there will be sufficient space between the towels hung on each bar to help them dry properly. There is also an upper shelf where you can place additional folded towels or other smaller items. The shelf consists of several parallel bars to enhance airflow to the towels hanging beneath it for proper drying, so you might want to avoid filling it with overly bulky items that will restrict the flow of air.

One person who bought this towel rack wrote, "This bathroom set is all about making the best use of that precious wall space." This model has an average 4.6-star rating, indicating that most purchasers share similar sentiments. You can choose from matte black, brushed nickel, polished chrome, gold, gold and black, or white finishes to tie this piece together with the look of your bathroom. Each option is made from durable stainless steel and comes with all the hardware necessary for installation.

If you don't have a linen closet or space for a storage cupboard in your bathroom, you might not have a place to store your extra towels. For situations like those, try this over-door mechanism that lets you store your towels neatly rolled. The over-the-door towel rack from Xstydes will help you make the most of your small bathroom with its multi-tiered design. The rack is available with either six or nine tiers, each of which features a cradled design that is perfect for holding a rolled-up bath towel. In addition to these lower tiers, the organizer also offers a small upper shelf where you can put lotion bottles, decorations, or other small items.

The holder hooks over the top of your door easily. It also comes with suction cups and double-sided stickers to help you keep it secure and prevent it from bouncing or sliding around as you open the door. You can choose from a black or white finish to coordinate with your space. Most customers seem happy with this bathroom addition, rating it 4.4-star out of over 100 reviews. "I highly recommend the 6 Tier Over-The-Door Towel Rack to anyone looking to maximize the bathroom storage. We used it for our extra guest bathroom, it helps with some extra storage space, and it is a practical, stylish, and affordable addition to any home," one reviewer shared.

These cute towel holders from AURA NEST will allow you to store towels wherever you have open wall space. The set comes with four curved towel holders that can each be mounted separately to the wall. Place them in a grid-like arrangement, in a straight line going up or across the wall, or even more sporadically based on where you have space around other bathroom shelves and fixtures. Once mounted, they will hold extra rolled-up towels, giving you a convenient place to stash your backups. 

These towel holders come ready to hang on the wall; no assembly is required. They are made from bamboo, a popular wood for sustainable home goods, with a waterproof varnish coating. These racks have a 4.5 average star rating, with 85% of customers awarding them either 4 or 5 stars. "These are handy towel holders to help with saving space and being organized. They were just what I needed to hold extra towels in my guest bathroom. Easy to install and easy to use. I chose the bamboo finish to match my flooring and they look fantastic," wrote one customer.

The HOOBRO Wall-Leaning Towel Rack offers an optimal solution for those looking to maximize storage space without sacrificing style. The decorative ladder features five tiers to hold towels, washcloths, and more. You can hang large bath towels over the flat rungs of the "ladder," and hook washcloths to the smaller removable hooks on the top rung. The ladder also features a magazine pocket on the lowest rung, offering a convenient spot to store your favorite book or magazine to flip through during your next bubble bath.

This towel holder offers a stylish and rustic look with its black metal tube sides and wooden slats. You can choose from either greige or rustic brown slats to achieve the look you want for your bathroom. To keep the holder from tipping, the manufacturer includes an accessory to secure it to the wall with each purchase. More than 500 customers have reviewed this towel holder and have given it an average rating of 4.3 stars.