Installing Towel Racks

Installing Towel Racks

Quick Overview to Install a Towel Rack  
Tools and Materials You’ll Need  
Choosing the Right Placement for a Towel Rack
Recommended Height for Towel Racks
How to Install a Towel Rack (Step-by-Step) 
How to Remove a Towel Rack from the Wall
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Install a Towel Rack from Start to Finish   

Please note: This guide is for general informational purposes only. Always follow manufacturer instructions and local building codes. If unsure, consult a qualified professional.

Installing a towel rack involves measuring and marking placement for the screws, securing mounting brackets into wall studs or drywall anchors, and attaching the bar. Most installations can be completed in under 30 minutes with basic tools.

Many towel racks use a set-screw mounting system that keeps hardware out of sight and the design streamlined. Once you understand how this common bracket works, installing a towel rack becomes a quick DIY project.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

To install a towel rack, you’ll need a few basic tools and materials. 

Required:

  • Towel rack and included hardware
  • Stud finder
  • Level
  • Measuring tape
  • Drill and drill bits (if installing into studs)
  • Screwdriver
  • Drywall anchors (if needed)
  • Pencil

Nice to have:

  • Paper mounting template (this makes it easy to level and mark where the brackets will be fastened)

Note: All Delta® and Franklin Brass® branded towel bars come with a paper mounting template for your convenience. 

Choosing the Right Placement for a Towel Rack

Finding the perfect spot for your towel rack is about balancing style with everyday practicality. While you should always tailor your home to the people who live in it, these expert tips will help guide you. 

Two white towels hanging on a towel rack

Most pros install racks at 48 inches, but don’t be afraid to break the rules for comfort.

Whether it’s lower for children or higher for extra-long towels, your goal is a space that supports your daily routine. 

  • Let them breathe: Ensure there is enough "breathable" space for towels to dry without touching the floor or baseboards or covering electrical outlets.
  • Hand towel racks: For hand towel holders, think about what feels instinctual. You could place your rack where your hands naturally want to reach after you wash them. Proper placement reduces water drips on surfaces, protecting your floors and cabinets over time.

PRO TIP: Measure twice, drill once! While towel bars are simple to uninstall, you don’t want to have to patch and repaint your wall. Take care when measuring and leveling your towel bar during installation. 

Spacing and Wall Considerations

Where to hang towels in bathroom: While there are no set standards for towel bar placement, it is advised to avoid locations where a hanging towel will touch another object below.

For example, if you put a towel bar over a vanity, you want it high enough that the hand towel is not resting on the vanity itself. You also don’t want a hanging towel to touch the toilet or bath edge – remember the idea is to keep them dry!  

Modern bathroom showing a towel holder and towel bar spaced apart.

Clearance considerations: Most towel racks stick out between 2.5 to 3 inches away from the wall, so keep this in mind if installing behind a door. The door should swing freely without hitting the towel rack, as this may cause damage to the door or rack.

Projection (the space between the towel bar and wall) can typically be found on product pages on a retailer’s website. Projection can also be referred to as “depth” (D) in the product's specifications.  

Most Delta® and Franklin Brass® branded towel racks will have a dimension image, so you can assess how the bathroom accessory will fit in your space.

How to Install a Towel Rack (Step-by-Step)

Installing a towel rack is a straightforward project when you break it down into a clear sequence of steps. With a bit of preparation, you can move through the installation confidently and end up with a secure, aligned towel holder.

Here’s how to get that professional look with ease: 

Step 1 – Measure and Mark

  • Use a level and pencil (and template, if your towel rack includes one) 
  • Mark bracket locations, usually 48 inches from the floor, but can be based on the user’s height

Step 2 – Locate Studs (If Available)

  • Use a stud finder
  • Adjust marks for bracket placement if studs are available

PRO TIP: Try to screw at least one bracket into a stud. With longer towel bars, 24 inches and above, it’s possible to fasten both brackets into a stud. Typically, wall studs are 16 inches apart. Rooms and home designs will vary, so always use a stud finder to confirm the stud placement.

Step 3 – Drill Pilot Holes

  • If installing into solid wood or into a wooden stud: Drill 1/16” holes, being sure to keep the drill level.
  • If installing into ceramic or sheetrock without a wooden stud: Drill 3/16” holes, keeping drill level.

Step 4 – Install Anchors (If Needed)

If both towel bar brackets aren’t attached to wood studs, anchors will be needed to provide a secure hold. Delta® and Franklin Brass® branded towel racks include mounting hardware designed for common wall types.

Here are a few tips for a smooth installation:

  • Flush fit: Insert anchors into pilot holes and gently tap them in with a hammer. Make sure the anchor is as flush (flat) as possible against the installation surface. This will help prevent the bracket from wobbling.
  • Be gentle: Take care to tap gently and accurately to not mark up the wall or break ceramic tiles. 

Step 5 – Mount Brackets

  • Secure evenly: Secure towel bar brackets to the wall with fasteners (screws) by screwing them through the pilot hole and either into a wooden stud or into your ceramic or drywall anchor. Be sure the clips face outward (east-west). 
    • Avoid overtightening. Overtightening can cause the anchor to "strip" or chew through the drywall, weakening the hole and causing the towel rack to sag later. 

Pro Tip: Know when to stop. Turn the screw until you feel firm resistance and the bracket no longer moves. This is the ideal tightness. 

  • Re-check level: Place your level over the top of both brackets and confirm they are level. 

Step 6 – Attach the Towel Bar

  1. Prep the posts: Use the included hex (Allen) wrench to slightly loosen the small set screws at the bottom of the posts. This ensures they slip easily over the wall brackets.
  2. Assemble the bar: Slide the bar into the two posts.
  3. Hook and align: Slide the assembled towel bar over the brackets. Make sure the posts "hook" onto the top of the brackets with the set screws facing the floor.
  4. Lock it in place: Push the posts flush against the wall and tighten the set screws so the towel bar feels sturdy and secure.

How to Remove a Towel Rack from the Wall

Removing a towel rack is straightforward, whether it’s for fixing, relocating, or replacement. Here are the four steps to completely remove a towel rack from the wall:

  • Loosen set screws with a hex (Allen) wrench.
  • Remove bar and brackets.
  • Unscrew mounts (aka brackets) and remove any anchors (if present).

If you’re changing the location of your towel rack, you’ll need to fill the old drywall holes and touch up the paint.

If you prefer help with the repair, a qualified professional can do it for you.

A Small Upgrade That Makes a Big Difference

Delta® and Franklin Brass® towel bars include mounting hardware for typical wall types and clear, DIY‑friendly instructions for a smooth install.

Our bathroom hardware is designed for everyday use, featuring durable finishes that resist moisture and corrosion to stand the test of time. With designs that coordinate with Liberty® cabinet hardware and Delta® faucets and bath accessories, you can find everything you need across our brands to create a cohesive, easy‑to‑pull‑together look.

At the end of the day, you aren’t just installing hardware. You’re completing the look of your home with confidence.

Explore Towel Racks 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How Are Towel Racks Attached to a Wall?

A: Towel racks can be attached to the wall in three main ways:

  • Attaching directly to a wooden wall stud
  • Using special anchors to attach to drywall surfaces
  • Attaching the rack to drywall with toggle bolts for extra support

The surface being installed on and the location of wall studs will dictate which installation method you use. It’s important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions included with your particular towel rack. 

Mounted towel bar with striped towel

Stud Mounting

Attaching a towel rack to the wall using a wall stud is the most secure and stable installation method. We recommend installing at least one of the towel rack posts into a stud (standard wall stud spacing in homes is 16”, making it difficult to install an 18 or 24” towel bar into both studs).

A stud can be easily located using a stud finder.

Pro Tip: Delta® and Franklin Brass® towel racks conveniently include mounting hardware designed for common wall types. However, if you’re installing one post into a stud, you don’t need to use the anchors provided. Simply follow the instructions you received with your product for a stud installation. 

Drywall Installation

If a wall stud isn’t available, you’ll need to use drywall anchors. Drywall is too crumbly for a standard screw to hold weight on its own. The anchor provides the necessary reinforcement to prevent the rack from pulling out of the wall. 

Please note: Drywall anchors are specifically for drywall and don't work properly on tile, wood, or masonry surfaces. Wood will not require any anchors; it can be treated like installing into wall studs. For tile or masonry, refer to your specific product instructions.

Using Toggle Bolts

These are a type of anchor that essentially acts like a clamp between the front and back of the drywall. Toggle bolts will provide more stability and “grab” than typical drywall anchors. A toggle bolt is commonly used to install a grab bar, but can also be used in other instances:

  • If drywall anchors are not providing sufficient grip in the drywall
  • If the drilled holes are too big for other anchors (Note: Be sure to read manufacturer instructions carefully to drill the right-sized pilot hole for the anchors included with your product)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there any alternatives to set-screw mounting?

A: Yes. The most common alternatives to set-screw mounting systems are adhesive towel bars, exposed screw, and Simple Snap – exclusively from Delta®. 

Adhesive towel bars can be attractive to renters and those who want a no-drill towel bar, but they lack the same durability or stability as options that attach the towel bar brackets with screws. 

With exposed screw towel bar installation, you get a more raw aesthetic that appeals to those who have industrial or farmhouse decor styles. Those who want a modern, sleek look will often choose the concealed hardware of set-screw towel racks.

If you want the clean concealed hardware look but without the tedious tools and steps of a set-screw, Simple Snap is your solution. It’s an innovative bathroom accessory installation system now available from Delta® on select collections. 

Q: How do I tighten a loose set-screw on a towel rack?

A: Simply use the allen/hex wrench that was included with your product, or one with a size that fits the set-screw. Rotate the screw until fully tightened. Tightening set-screws can often fix the issue of a wobbly towel bar. 

 

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