The towels need to hang to dry. I guess I haven't thought of them as 'on display', but more as towels I use everyday so they are easily accessible and able to hang dry. Thoughts? Are you thinking I should hang therm on the inside of a cabinet door so they are out of sight?

I get it. I have a working kitchen, also. I say "staggered".

I just wouldn't want a wet towel dripping down my cabinets. But I understand the need for them. We typically just let ours dry over the kitchen sink faucet (I know not very fancy for a home builder but hey that's life).

I like the staggered look better

They usually don't get wet enough to *drip*. I like towels that add an accent color to the room, so I wouldn't mind this at all, as long as it doesn't look busy. Another vote for staggered!

i love displaying large cotton towels too, unfortunately most of them lose their pattern by hanging them on the hook. just something to consider. one hook might be sufficient, with a towel bar elsewhere to display your 'next towel up'.

even a damp towel will mar the finish of your nice door casing that close, too. hang a towel on the hook and move the hook around til you find a spot where the towel wont touch the wood casing.