My secret to giving my bathroom an instant refresh couldn’t be simpler – why everyone (including me) is obsessed with Anthropologie hand towels right now

Forget a full reno, this easy upgrade gave my bathroom a fresh new feel

modern bathroom by anthropologie with a large bay window, freestanding bathtub with a large rug, slipper chair, green checkerboard towel and stool
(Image credit: Anthropologie)

Bathrooms tend to be the most functional spaces in our homes, designed for need, not necessarily for style. But I’ve always believed that even the most practical rooms deserve some personality and pizazz.

As a space with lots of hard lines and cold, easy-clean surfaces, it's the small details that make a huge difference in lifting your bathroom's mood.

I didn’t want to rip anything out or spend a fortune, but I did want my bathroom to feel more pulled-together, more considered – and frankly, more fun. I’ve found that adding a bold or whimsical hand towel instantly makes the space feel more considered, for less than $20.

And Anthropologie’s hand towel collection is packed with playful prints and luxe materials that look much more boutique hotel than basic bath.

pink panelled powder room small bathroom with a striped bath mat and hand towel

(Image credit: Anthropologie)

Think of hand towels the way you’d think of a throw pillow in the living room. They don’t take up much space, but they can change the entire feel of a room.

A beautifully patterned hand towel can feel like a small piece of art; it adds texture, color, pattern, and personality to an old bathroom vanity or powder room. And since they’re relatively inexpensive, it’s a no-commitment way to play with bathroom trends or seasonal updates – like adding the Halloween Icon Cotton Hand Towel Collection from Anthropologie to ready yourself for fall.

Whether it’s a scalloped edge, a bold motif, or an unexpected color combo, what I love most about this quick styling trick is how low effort it is. No tiles to choose, no paint swatches to debate – just a quick towel change, and suddenly the whole space feels more styled.

Below are just a few of the Anthropologie hand towels I've currently got my eye on.

Shop Anthropologie hand towels


I'm sure there is a long list of bathroom items you need to upgrade, but those often come at a cost. As far as low-effort, no-commitment design choices go, a simple trick of adding a playful new hand towel is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to inject some more personality into the space.

And if you're looking to truly make an impact, Anthropologie is also one of the best places to buy bathroom hardware, so take a look at Anthropologie's bathroom hardware collection for stylish new towel rails, hooks, and toilet paper holders.

Charlotte Olby
Style & Trends Editor

Charlotte is the style and trends editor at Homes and Gardens and has been with the team since Christmas 2023. Following a 5 year career in Fashion, she has worked at many women's glossy magazines including Grazia, Stylist, and Hello!, and as Interiors Editor for British heritage department store Liberty. Her role at H&G fuses her love of style with her passion for interior design, and she is currently undergoing her second home renovation - you can follow her journey over on @olbyhome

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