Listen, the “Big Towel” industry has been telling us a lie about white towels for decades, in order to make us buy new towels every year. I’m onto them. As I’ve been on my annual “Whole home-re-org, 2026” (heavily fueled by the stress of the news), I was confronted with all my gross white towels and wanted to rant about it again on a public forum. A brand new white towel is such a luxury and truly does look fantastic in a bathroom, but they just don’t last as long. Now, I want to give the caveat that I also like self-tanner or spray tans (yes, year-round – the winter mood boost!). So mine probably lasts way less than most people’s. But still, unless your white towels are in the guest room and used infrequently, they will look dingy and old within a year. And maybe that’s fine, but while re-orging, I had so many gray, blue, green, or pink towels that are 3 years old that are still fine (not awesome, not good enough for shoots, but good enough for us), but all the whites were DISGUSTING. Meanwhile, the patterned and colorful towel industry has exploded, and I’m here as their unpaid spokesperson. So instead of a white towel, do this:

Solid Colorful Towels

Now, a colorful towel certainly is not new to the scene, so this category will be brief and only include those that we’ve used, like, and can recommend.

WAFFLE TOWEL 37.00

COTTON WAFFLE TOWEL $17

Waffle towels have a prettier texture, but I’ve found the weave can get pulled easier (but not that big of a deal, just good to know). We used those pretty copper ones in my brother’s upstairs guest bath, and they are just a fun pop!

PLUSH TURKISH COTTON TOWEL $40

SUPER-PLUSH BATH TOWEL $99

If you want a classic plush towel, these are so pretty. I love the little fringe on the green towel for some quiet but fun detail, and those super-plush blue towels are from Brooklinen and are luxury. That price is for two towels, fyi:) Also, both of these come in a bunch of other colors. The fringe one also comes in a stunning burgundy.

DIAGONAL RIBBED TOWELS $20

SOFT RIB TOWEL $59

Plush towels are basically a “you get what you pay for” and the cheaper they are, the scratchier they can be – faster. My Rejuvenation, Brooklinen, and Parachute towels are still softer than my Target ones after a year, but it’s not like bedding to me (which I take VERY seriously). While I love a big plush towel right out of the shower, I use it to dry off and throw on a big plush robe (which I wash FAR less, so they stay soft far longer than towels) so I’m ok with it not being the softest thing after a year and ultimateley I don’t want to replace my towels annually (seems like every two years is good enough).

SCALLOP EDGE BATH TOWEL $32

TWO-TONED BATH TOWEL $70

These are basically “solid” with a little fun detail. I got the scalloped one for a shoot and love how much personality they bring to my bathroom. They are great. I haven’t used the green one, but I think that simple border is perfect for someone who wants a classic look with something extra.

Wait, Bath Towels Versus Bath Sheets?

This is a very personal decision based on your own habits. I, for one, don’t totally care, because I put on a robe almost immediately after toweling off. The towel serves as my dryer, the robe as my comfort. I splurge on my robe, not my towel. Sometimes bath sheets can be really big to fold and store (the size of beach towels), but a big guy who is anti-robe (like Brian) might want a sheet, not a standard towel.

Striped Towels

Suprise, suprise I love a striped towel, ha. It’s fun but simple, not overwhelming, but adds so much to a bathroom! I just don’t think you can go wrong with a classic stripe. Here are some of our favorites:

ORGANIC RESORT STRIPE TOWEL $59

SIMPLE STRIPED BATH TOWEL $49

These colors are just so fun and a more on the unexpected side but they still feel neutral and versatile.

SLÅNHÖSTMAL BATH SHEET $13

STRIPED SUPER-PLUSH BATH TOWEL $105

But if you are looking for a classic black and white stripe, these are great. Marlee has the IKEA one and says it’s awesome. So in that case, $13 for a full bath sheet is extremely good. The other is from Brooklinen, so I stand by the brand:)

REVERSIBLE BATH TOWEL $46

BLUE STRIPED BATH TOWEL $15

Now, I know we have color lovers in this group so these are for you. The multi-colored one is very fun and the blue one, well, we all know I’m very attracted to that one:)

PEMBROKE STRIPE COTTON TOWEL $40

THICK STRIPE BATH TOWEL $15

These green ones are in the shot of my bathroom above! I love the two-toned look, the fringe, and the quality is great. My spray tan and these towels will live very happily together I feel. The white and green stripe is H&M so I can’t tell you how long they will last based on the price but a deal’s a deal! And it looks great.

TERRY COTTON BATH SHEET $112

SLOANE PORTUGUESE TOWEL $40

Love a stripe but want something with a twist? Here you go! That terry cloth bath sheet is so fun with its multi striped design. Then on the opposite side of the stripe game, these mint towels are so darling with that little stripe edge.

Other Patterned Towels We Love

I feel that patterned towels are having a resurgence and I am very happy about it. I mean look at these patterned towels that Kaitlin used in her daughters’ bathroom! They are currently out of stock but don’t worry, here are other great options…

PLUSH TURKISH TOWEL $68

WAVY BLOCKS TOWEL $33

While I didn’t end up using them in my home, those plush Turkish towels feel sooooo cozy. If my bathroom were a different style I would absolutely use these. And how cute are these “wavy” patterned towels?! I love that the colors are a little more muted but still so fun.

GINGHAM COTTON WOVEN TOWEL $40

TAM BATH SHEET $62

Let’s talk gingham because it’s an excellent pattern for any textile. I am clearly a green lover but each of these give off a different vibe. The soft toned one on the right feels a little more classic while that bath sheet is still “traditional” but the bright kelly green feels really fresh and almost “pop-y”.

MATE BATH TOWEL $45

ASTERIA CHECKERED TERRY TOWEL $9

A checkered pattern is another no-fail option. Here are two good options that are really similar at two different pricepoints.

ALMA BATH SHEET $95

WINDOWPANE BATH SHEETS $109

This two-tone checkered bath sheet is so so pretty. The design was inspired by traditional Katazome stencil practices. It looks really special. Then those windowpane towels are also so great!

GIGI BATH TOWEL $45

HANNA BATH TOWEL $95

If you want to go a little bolder in the pattern, how fun is are those floral ones. Kaitlin (photographer:)) has them for years as handtowels and says they have held up great! The geometric pattern on the other towel is also inspired by traditional Katazome stencil practices. It’s a little hard to tell but the colors are olive and eccru which I really love.

Hope this was helpful and inspired you to move away from white towels (if you too are over how quickly how gross they get). So go forth and enjoy colorful and patterned towels to make your bathroom even more fun.

Design and Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Kaitlin’s Primary Bathroom Reveal