Install Bathroom Accessories
The finishing touches that transform your bathroom from functional to fabulous. Learn proper placement, mounting techniques, and how to coordinate accessories for a polished, cohesive look.
Why Bathroom Accessories Matter
Bathroom accessories are the jewelry of your bathroom remodel. While often overlooked during the planning phase, these functional pieces serve two critical purposes: they make your bathroom work efficiently, and they tie together your design aesthetic.
1Functionality First
Well-placed accessories keep towels within reach, toilet paper accessible, and robes ready for use. Poor placement leads to daily frustration and dripping water across the floor.
2Cohesive Design
Matching or intentionally mixed finishes create visual harmony. Accessories are the thread that connects your faucets, lighting, and cabinet hardware into one unified design story.
Essential Bathroom Accessories
Towel Bars and Rings
The workhorses of bathroom accessories. Standard towel bars are 18-24 inches for hand towels and 24-30 inches for bath towels. Double bars maximize space in smaller bathrooms. Towel rings work well beside sinks for hand towels.
Pro Tip: Allow 3 feet of wall space per person for towel storage. A family of four needs significant towel hanging capacity.
Toilet Paper Holder
Available in recessed, surface-mount, and freestanding styles. Recessed holders save space but require wall cavity access. Surface-mount is easiest to install. Consider a holder with a shelf for phone or wipes.
Pro Tip: Spring-loaded rollers are easier to use than fixed posts, especially for children and elderly users.
Robe Hooks
Essential for bathrooms with showers. Install within reach of the shower or tub, but not where they'll get wet. Double hooks accommodate more items. Consider one hook per regular bathroom user.
Pro Tip: Robe hooks need to support significant weight when holding wet towels or heavy robes. Always anchor securely.
Towel Hooks
More casual than bars, hooks are perfect for family bathrooms where towels get grabbed quickly. They take up less space and are easier for children to use. Install a row of hooks for each family member.
Pro Tip: Space hooks 9-12 inches apart to prevent towels from overlapping and staying damp.
Soap Dispensers and Dishes
Wall-mounted dispensers keep counters clear and provide a sleek, modern look. Soap dishes are traditional and work well with bar soap users. Choose materials that resist water damage and soap buildup.
Pro Tip: Install soap dispensers at a height where drips won't hit the counter or floor. 6-8 inches above the backsplash is ideal.
Toothbrush Holders
Wall-mounted or countertop options available. Wall-mounted holders keep counters clean and toothbrushes sanitary. Look for holders with drainage to prevent water pooling and bacteria growth.
Pro Tip: Position toothbrush holders away from the toilet to minimize exposure to airborne particles when flushing.
Matching Finishes with Fixtures
The finish of your bathroom accessories should coordinate with your faucets, showerhead, lighting fixtures, and cabinet hardware. Here are the most popular finish options and how to coordinate them:
Design Rule: If mixing metals, limit yourself to 2-3 finishes maximum and use a dominant finish (70%) with accent finishes (30%). Your faucet finish should match at least one other major element.
Placement Guidelines and Heights
Towel Bars
- Height: 48 inches from floor to center of bar
- Children's bathrooms: 36 inches from floor
- Distance from shower/tub: Within arm's reach (typically 24-30 inches)
- Clearance above toilet tank: Minimum 24 inches
Hand Towel Ring
- Height: 20-24 inches above vanity countertop
- Distance from sink: Within easy reach without leaning
- Alternative: 48 inches from floor if no countertop
Toilet Paper Holder
- Height: 26 inches from floor to center
- Distance from toilet: 8-12 inches in front of bowl edge
- Side: Typically left side for right-handed users
- ADA compliant: 19 inches minimum from floor, 36 inches from rear wall
Robe Hooks
- Height: 65-70 inches from floor
- Location: Behind door or near shower, not in direct spray
- Clearance from door swing: Minimum 4 inches
Shower/Tub Accessories
- Grab bars: 33-36 inches from floor for shower entry
- Shower shelves: 48-52 inches from floor
- Soap dish: 44-48 inches from floor
Mounting: Tile vs Drywall
Mounting on Tile
Tile requires special care to avoid cracking:
- 1.Use a carbide-tipped masonry bit
- 2.Drill at slow speed without hammer function
- 3.Use painter's tape to prevent bit wandering
- 4.Use toggle bolts or sleeve anchors for tile
- 5.Apply silicone caulk around mounting plate for waterproofing
Warning: Avoid drilling in grout lines as this weakens the tile installation. Center holes in the tile face.
Mounting on Drywall
Drywall is easier but requires proper anchoring:
- 1.Always try to hit a stud for heavy items
- 2.Use toggle bolts for hollow wall mounting
- 3.Self-drilling drywall anchors work for light items
- 4.Check anchor weight ratings match your needs
- 5.Use moisture-resistant green board anchors in wet areas
Best Practice: Studs are typically 16 inches apart. Plan accessory placement to hit at least one stud when possible.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Plan Your Layout
Before drilling any holes, use painter's tape to mark accessory locations. Live with the tape for a day to test reach and placement. Take photos to reference during installation.
Gather Tools and Materials
You'll need:
- - Drill with appropriate bits
- - Level (torpedo level works well in tight spaces)
- - Stud finder
- - Tape measure and pencil
- - Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead)
- - Wall anchors appropriate for your wall type
- - Painter's tape
Find Studs and Mark Holes
Use your stud finder to locate wall studs. If you can't hit a stud, choose appropriate anchors. Hold the mounting bracket in position, place a level on top, and mark hole locations with a pencil.
Drill Pilot Holes
Apply painter's tape over the mark to prevent bit wandering (especially on tile). Drill pilot holes slightly smaller than your screws or anchors. For tile, start with a small bit and work up to final size.
Install Anchors
Insert wall anchors into drilled holes. For toggle bolts, thread the toggle onto the screw, push through the hole, and tighten. For expansion anchors, tap gently with a hammer until flush.
Mount Brackets
Align the mounting bracket with your holes and drive screws until snug. Don't overtighten, which can strip anchors or crack tile. Check level one more time before final tightening.
Attach Accessories
Follow manufacturer instructions to attach the accessory to the mounting bracket. Most use set screws tightened with an Allen key. Some snap or slide into place. Apply silicone caulk around tile-mounted bases.
Test and Adjust
Test each accessory with weight - hang a wet towel, pull on hooks, test toilet paper dispenser. Check for any wobbling or looseness. Make final adjustments and tighten set screws.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using wrong anchors: Plastic expansion anchors in tile will crack it. Toggle bolts or sleeve anchors are required for tile installations.
- Skipping the level: Even 1-2 degrees off level is noticeable on a towel bar. Always verify level before final tightening.
- Ignoring stud locations: Hitting a stud provides the strongest hold. Plan placement around stud locations when possible.
- Mismatched finishes: Accidentally mixing chrome and brushed nickel (they look similar in store lighting) creates a disjointed look.
- Poor placement testing: Not testing reach before drilling leads to inconvenient accessory locations you'll regret daily.
- Overtightening screws: Over-torquing strips anchors and cracks tile. Snug is sufficient; don't force it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What height should a towel bar be mounted?
Standard towel bar height is 48 inches from the floor to the center of the bar. For children's bathrooms, consider 36 inches. Hand towel rings near sinks should be 20-24 inches above the countertop or within easy reach of the sink.
Can you mount bathroom accessories on tile without drilling?
Yes, adhesive-mount accessories are available and work well for lightweight items. However, for heavy-duty items like towel bars that will hold wet towels, drilling into tile with proper anchors provides the most secure hold. Adhesive mounts may fail over time in humid bathroom environments.
Should bathroom accessories match the faucet finish?
Matching finishes creates a cohesive, polished look and is the traditional approach. However, mixing metals is a popular design trend when done intentionally. A good rule is to stick to 2-3 complementary finishes maximum. Common pairings include chrome with brushed nickel, or matte black with brass accents.
How far should a toilet paper holder be from the toilet?
The toilet paper holder should be mounted 8-12 inches in front of the toilet bowl edge and 26 inches from the floor to the center of the holder. It should be positioned on the side where users can comfortably reach it, typically the left side for right-handed users.
What type of anchors work best for mounting on tile?
For tile installations, use sleeve anchors, toggle bolts, or specialized tile anchors. Avoid plastic expansion anchors as they can crack tile. Always drill with a carbide-tipped masonry bit at slow speed without hammer action. Start with a smaller pilot hole and work up to the final size to prevent cracking.
Bathroom Accessories Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have all necessary accessories for a fully functional bathroom:
Essential Items
- Towel bar(s) for bath towels
- Hand towel ring or bar
- Toilet paper holder
- Robe hook(s)
- Toilet brush holder
Optional Upgrades
- Soap dispenser (wall-mount)
- Toothbrush holder
- Tumbler holder
- Magazine/phone holder
- Grab bars (if needed)
Ready for the Next Step?
With your accessories installed, your bathroom is nearly complete. Next up is painting the walls and ceiling to protect against moisture and add the final color touches.