Domakihub How to Install a Towel Rail in Any Bathroom
A straightforward DIY guide for getting a towel rail mounted securely — on tiles, plaster, or drywall.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A well-placed towel rail is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to a bathroom — whether in a family home, a holiday rental on a Greek island, or a boutique hotel room. The video above walks through the full process visually, while this guide breaks it into clear, repeatable steps you can follow with basic tools. Get the prep right and the whole job takes under an hour.
Choose the Right Rail for Your Wall Type
Greek bathrooms are almost always tiled from floor to ceiling, so your first decision is how the rail will be fixed: directly into tile with rawl plugs, or into the masonry behind it. Most standard single or double towel rails come with two wall brackets and a set of screws and plugs — check the packaging confirms anchors suitable for ceramic tile and masonry.
For holiday rentals and hotels, a brushed stainless or chrome rail at least 60 cm wide is a practical minimum. Wider double rails (80–90 cm) handle the towel load of two guests and reduce how often linen needs changing.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
You need: a pencil, a spirit level, a tile drill bit (3–4 mm carbide-tipped), a standard drill, a hammer, rawl plugs sized for your wall, a screwdriver, and the rail kit itself. A piece of masking tape placed over the drilling spot prevents the bit from skidding across glaze at the start of the hole.
If your wall has concealed plumbing or electrical runs — common in older Greek builds — use a cable and pipe detector before you drill anywhere. A two-euro roll of masking tape and ten minutes with a detector can save an expensive repair.
How to Install a Towel Rail: Step by Step
- 1
Mark the bracket positions at the correct height
Decide on a height — typically 90–120 cm from the floor, or just below shoulder height for most adults. Hold one bracket against the wall, mark the screw holes with a pencil, then use your spirit level across both bracket positions before marking the second set of holes. Double-check the horizontal before you move on.
- 2
Protect the tile surface and drill pilot holes
Stick a small cross of masking tape over each marked point. Fit your carbide-tipped tile bit, set the drill to a slow speed with no hammer action, and drill steadily through the glaze into the tile. Once past the tile, switch to hammer action to continue into the masonry behind. Clear dust from the holes with a puff of air.
- 3
Insert the rawl plugs
Tap a rawl plug firmly into each hole until it sits flush with the tile surface. If the plug spins when tapped, the hole is slightly oversized — wrap the plug in a thin layer of masking tape before reinserting to give it a tighter grip. Do not skip this step; plugs that sit proud of the tile will prevent the bracket sitting flat.
- 4
Fix the brackets and slide on the rail
Hold the first bracket in place and drive in the screws — hand-tight at first, then firm. Repeat for the second bracket. Slide the towel rail bar into both bracket cups, check it is level one final time, then tighten the small grub screws (usually a 2 mm Allen key is included) on the underside of each bracket cup to lock the bar in position.
- 5
Test the load and clean up
Hang a full-size bath towel from the rail and apply light downward pressure to confirm everything is solid. If the rail flexes or a bracket creaks, remove it and re-anchor with a larger plug or a wall anchor rated for heavier loads. Wipe away any tile dust with a damp cloth and peel off the masking tape.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted handyman pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- Can I install a towel rail on a tiled wall without cracking the tiles?
- Yes, if you use a sharp carbide-tipped tile drill bit and drill at low speed with no hammer action until you are through the tile. Applying masking tape over the spot and starting at the very centre of the marked cross stops the bit from skating and concentrates the pressure, which is what causes tiles to crack.
- What size rawl plugs should I use for bathroom tiles over masonry?
- For a standard towel rail loaded with 1–2 towels, 6 mm diameter plugs (typically colour-coded yellow or red depending on brand) are sufficient. If you are mounting a heavier double rail or a rail that will take robes, step up to 8 mm plugs and use the matching screw gauge. Always match the plug to the drill bit size specified on its packaging.
- How high should a towel rail be mounted in a bathroom?
- The standard recommendation is 90–120 cm from the finished floor — roughly at hip to chest height for an average adult — so towels hang clear of the floor and are easy to reach. In a hotel or rental bathroom, 100 cm is a safe middle ground that works for most guests. Avoid mounting below 85 cm if the floor gets wet, as towel hems will trail in water.