Bathroom Design
Lovely Little Luxuries: Pamper Yourself With Towel Warmers
Heat your robes, dry delicates and wet mittens — with these warmers around, toasty treats go beyond just towels
Getting out of a shower or bathtub in a cold room can be a rough transition from warm bliss to cold, hard reality. But there is a solution: enveloping yourself in a cozy towel from a towel warmer.
Once you start using a towel warmer, you'll wonder why you waited so long. For seniors with walk-in tubs, the tub usually has to drain a bit before the door can open, and the wait can be chilly. But a warmed-up towel can vaporize the stress of cold air hitting a warm body. Towel warmers aren't just for the bathroom, either. They can be just as useful in a laundry room to gently dry delicates, or in a garage or mudroom for wet mittens and scarves. Some homes even use them as space heaters with benefits.
See types of towel warmers below to find one that might be right for you.
Once you start using a towel warmer, you'll wonder why you waited so long. For seniors with walk-in tubs, the tub usually has to drain a bit before the door can open, and the wait can be chilly. But a warmed-up towel can vaporize the stress of cold air hitting a warm body. Towel warmers aren't just for the bathroom, either. They can be just as useful in a laundry room to gently dry delicates, or in a garage or mudroom for wet mittens and scarves. Some homes even use them as space heaters with benefits.
See types of towel warmers below to find one that might be right for you.
Polished Chrome Towel Warmer
Towel warmers now come in hydronic and electric formats. Both versions are available as wall-mounted units for those short on floor space.
Electric towel warmers can be either hardwired or plug-in types. Hardwired units, such as this wall-mounted one, are wired directly into the wall, use standard wiring and should be installed by a licensed electrician.
Amba Towel Warmers
This towel warmer is a plug-in type. These versions plug into standard outlets. There is an on-off switch at the bottom of the vertical rail; you can also have a wall switch to control the unit.
Nameeks Scirocco Snake 50-9010
Styles range from traditional vintage (first photo) to contemporary geometric configurations like this one.
Amba Towel Warmers
This unit has curved swivel arms that move independently of each other. The curved ends are a safer option, in my opinion.
Where to Install Towel Warmers
Ideally, towel warmers should be placed where they're needed most, usually near the shower or bathtub.
Ideally, towel warmers should be placed where they're needed most, usually near the shower or bathtub.
Towel warmers don't just have to be for the bathroom. Consider adding one, like this floor-mounted plug-in unit, to warm up the blankets in your bedroom on cold winter nights.
Jacuzzi Towel Warming Drawer
Towel Warmer Accessories and Alternatives
A warming drawer is a great built-in option for those with lots of cabinetry space.
A warming drawer is a great built-in option for those with lots of cabinetry space.
Amba Towel Warmers Accessories
Most quality towel warmers come with a slew of accessories, such as hardwired timers. The timers shown here have seven-day programming options.
Mr. Steam Series 200 Robe Hook for Electric Heated Towel Warmer
One of my favorite towel warmer add-ons is a robe hook, so your bathrobe can be as cozy as your towels.
The earliest version of the towel warmer, still widely used today, is hydronic. These types of warmers use a system of recirculating hot water; the concept is similar to a radiator-type heater. The warm water runs through the rails and bars, heating your towels and your space. These types of warmers require installation by a licensed plumber.