Light-colored towels last longer and do not fade as obviously as darker colored towels do.

You can match your towels to your shower curtain for a cohesive look, or pick towels in a contrasting color. Create an ombre effect with your bathroom towels by buying different sized towels in various shades of the same color. Buy your largest towels in the darkest shade and lighten the shade as the size of your towels decrease. If your bathroom is already brightly colored, gravitate towards more neutral towel colors.

Patterned towels work especially well in kids’ bathrooms and small powder rooms. If you have a tile floor, look to mirror the tile’s color in your patterned towels. If you already have a heavily patterned shower curtain, steer away from using additional patterns in your towels.

Monograms are an easy and classy way to lend some sophistication to a bathroom. The more high quality your towels are, the more impressive your pattern mixing will look. Mix polka dots with stripes for a preppy vibe. Alternate chevron with stripes for a more modern look.

Do not mix floral patterns, as this will prove visually overwhelming. Buy floral hand towels and set them against larger bathroom linens in a pale pink or ivory tone.

If your bathroom is black and white, add pink towels for a feminine flair. If your bathroom is purple, add towels in a chocolate brown color to bring some warmth to the room. If your bathroom has a coastal or nautical theme, opt for towels in light blue or seafoam green.

If you have a smaller bathroom, you may need smaller towels. Bath sheets (oversized bath towels) typically won’t fit on the hooks in small bathrooms, so buy bath towels instead.

If you’re unsure whether a pattern will go with your already existing décor, it’s better to be too subtle than too bold. Make sure to save receipts for all towel purchases, in case you don’t like the way your towels look in the space.

Remember, your towels should complement the bathroom you already have. Don’t buy towels just because they looked good in someone else’s bathroom; they will not look the same in yours. Design sites like Apartment Therapy and Houzz are also good resources for finding inspiration and sharing your work with others.

Bath towels are generally 27 by 52 inches (69 cm × 132 cm) and are preferred for wiping down after showers. Bath sheets are 35 by 60 inches (89 cm × 152 cm) and are ideal for people who prefer a bit more towel coverage after a shower. Hand towels are 16 by 30 inches (41 cm × 76 cm) and are everyday towels for wiping hands. Face or washcloths are 13 by 13 inches (33 cm × 33 cm) and are ideal for spot cleaning, in and out of the shower. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, add bath sheets and finger towels to your shopping list. Buy at least four of each size towel. You’ll want to have extras in case your towels are in the wash, or for when you have guests visiting. Place a hand towel on top of a regular towel for a nice layered look. [11] X Expert Source Angelica SavardHome Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.

If you are using patterned towels, buy a bath mat in one of your towel’s color tones. Some towels come in sets that include a bath mat, so choose one of these sets for an easy way to make sure they will complement each other. Do not select a bath mat that is not washable. There are some beautiful non-washable bath mats out there, but they’re not practical for most bathrooms. Only purchase a non-washable bath mat if you don’t expect anyone to actually use the bath or shower in that particular bathroom. Choose a Turkish runner for a vintage look. [13] X Expert Source Emma OberlanderInterior Designer Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.

Add some color around your toilet by adding some greenery in the form of a potted plant or succulent. If you’d like to add additional color by your toilet, hang some fun art across from the toilet (but not so high that your guests will have to break their necks to look at it).