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Treat Yourself (and Your Towels) to This Easy Luxury
Enjoy spa-like comforts at home using a heated towel rack
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On that fantastical occasion when your shower coincides perfectly with the end of the dryer cycle — and someone is waiting there to hand-deliver you a towel straight from the warm drum — you know what luxury feels like. But even if this scenario is nowhere near reality, that luxurious feeling is still within arm’s reach. Heated towel racks, more common in Europe and Latin America than in the U.S., can be a functional and stylish upgrade for any bathroom. Read on for details, courtesy of Amba Products, a purveyor of heated towel racks.
Raising the (Towel) Bar
Aside from the immediate benefits of a warm towel, there are several lesser-known advantages. In damp, humid or coastal homes, heated towel racks, like the one seen here, can reduce mildew and excess moisture by providing ambient heat. Towels stay fresher longer, which reduces laundry (not to mention musty odors), saving time, energy, water and money. In small bathrooms, larger units can provide supplemental warmth, especially on chilly mornings.
Plus, heated racks aren’t just for bathrooms: They can dry dish towels in the kitchen, delicates in the laundry room, swimsuits in the pool house or mittens in the mudroom. Imagine heating up your pajamas or bathrobe for a spa-like treat. Towel rack sizes vary to accommodate a multitude of uses, and you can add hooks to hang extra items.
Aside from the immediate benefits of a warm towel, there are several lesser-known advantages. In damp, humid or coastal homes, heated towel racks, like the one seen here, can reduce mildew and excess moisture by providing ambient heat. Towels stay fresher longer, which reduces laundry (not to mention musty odors), saving time, energy, water and money. In small bathrooms, larger units can provide supplemental warmth, especially on chilly mornings.
Plus, heated racks aren’t just for bathrooms: They can dry dish towels in the kitchen, delicates in the laundry room, swimsuits in the pool house or mittens in the mudroom. Imagine heating up your pajamas or bathrobe for a spa-like treat. Towel rack sizes vary to accommodate a multitude of uses, and you can add hooks to hang extra items.
Choosing the Right Rack
Heated towel racks come in myriad styles, shapes and sheens — enough to complement almost any wall. Which way do your tastes lean? Stainless steel, oil-rubbed bronze, nickel or white? Traditional or modern? Stay classic, for instance, with rounded polished bars or go contemporary with a matte black wave-inspired design. Want something more colorful? Certain companies let you customize your towel rack hue.
If you’re sharing a bathroom, choose a model that fits two standard-size towels — or opt for two racks. And be sure to place your rack high enough off the ground so that towels don’t reach the floor. Those who lack wall space might consider a freestanding rack that can be moved throughout the home, or even outside to dry swimsuits by the pool or hot tub.
Heated towel racks come in myriad styles, shapes and sheens — enough to complement almost any wall. Which way do your tastes lean? Stainless steel, oil-rubbed bronze, nickel or white? Traditional or modern? Stay classic, for instance, with rounded polished bars or go contemporary with a matte black wave-inspired design. Want something more colorful? Certain companies let you customize your towel rack hue.
If you’re sharing a bathroom, choose a model that fits two standard-size towels — or opt for two racks. And be sure to place your rack high enough off the ground so that towels don’t reach the floor. Those who lack wall space might consider a freestanding rack that can be moved throughout the home, or even outside to dry swimsuits by the pool or hot tub.
Turning Up the Heat
Most racks in the U.S. are electric and work with existing circuits. In some cases, an electrical circuit can be hardwired directly to the heated towel rack, as seen here. But if you have existing tiles or out-of-reach electrical lines, a plug-in unit is easiest. All electrical components are water-resilient, and certain racks can even be added to the opposite end of a walk-in shower. No matter what you choose, talk to your contractor to be sure the location and installation are up to code.
If you have a closed-loop hot water system (usually found in homes with underfloor heating), consider a hydronic heated towel rack. Hydronic racks, which recirculate heated water through the rails, will be as hot as the boiler that heats the water, and must be installed by a licensed plumber. Because they’re dependent on the central heating system, hydronic racks will be off when your heating is off.
Most racks in the U.S. are electric and work with existing circuits. In some cases, an electrical circuit can be hardwired directly to the heated towel rack, as seen here. But if you have existing tiles or out-of-reach electrical lines, a plug-in unit is easiest. All electrical components are water-resilient, and certain racks can even be added to the opposite end of a walk-in shower. No matter what you choose, talk to your contractor to be sure the location and installation are up to code.
If you have a closed-loop hot water system (usually found in homes with underfloor heating), consider a hydronic heated towel rack. Hydronic racks, which recirculate heated water through the rails, will be as hot as the boiler that heats the water, and must be installed by a licensed plumber. Because they’re dependent on the central heating system, hydronic racks will be off when your heating is off.
Modern Conveniences
Handy features such as programmable timers, digital heat controllers and automatic safety shutoffs make the latest units almost intuitive. Although regimented users can set a timer to reflect anticipated use, racks are designed to be left on constantly. The energy use of most electric racks is comparable to that of a light bulb and — as anyone accustomed to tumble-drying towels knows — is easily offset by fewer loads of laundry.
Certain luxury bathroom upgrades, such as heated floors and steam showers, can put a dent in your remodeling budget. A heated towel rack can feel just as indulgent — without breaking the bank.
Tell us in the Comments: Do you have a heated towel rack? Want one? Tell us about it.
More: For more information on Amba Products’ heated towel racks, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Handy features such as programmable timers, digital heat controllers and automatic safety shutoffs make the latest units almost intuitive. Although regimented users can set a timer to reflect anticipated use, racks are designed to be left on constantly. The energy use of most electric racks is comparable to that of a light bulb and — as anyone accustomed to tumble-drying towels knows — is easily offset by fewer loads of laundry.
Certain luxury bathroom upgrades, such as heated floors and steam showers, can put a dent in your remodeling budget. A heated towel rack can feel just as indulgent — without breaking the bank.
Tell us in the Comments: Do you have a heated towel rack? Want one? Tell us about it.
More: For more information on Amba Products’ heated towel racks, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Amba Products was established in 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, starting off by supplying heated towel... Read More
Amba Products was established in 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, starting off by supplying heated towel... Read More
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We've been offering towel warmers for over five years and they are definitely gaining popularity in the US.
I personally own the Amba Quadro and love it!
On of my favorite photos is a his and hers racks. Yes, they both have Digital Heat Controllers. Made in Italy. Stocked by Amba in Metro Atlanta GA. Not hydronic so you can use it all year round and they can be placed anywhere in the room.