All advice / Design and finishes
Why hardware matters
Tiles, vanity and tapware get the most attention during a bathroom renovation. But the smaller items — towel rails, hooks, toilet roll holders and robe hooks — are what you touch every day. If they wobble, clash or are in the wrong spot, the whole room feels unfinished.
Hardware is also one of the easiest things to get right, because it is chosen late in the process and costs far less than tiles or fixtures. A full hardware pack for a bathroom costs $200 to $600 depending on finish and brand.
Towel rails and hooks
A towel rail (or bar) holds bath towels flat so they dry faster. A hook holds a robe or a towel folded in half. Most bathrooms need at least one rail near the shower and one hook on the door or wall.
Single rails suit smaller bathrooms. Double rails hold two towels in the same wall space. Heated towel rails combine drying and warming — our heated towel rail guide covers types and running costs.
Place towel rails within arm's reach of the shower, at a height that keeps the towel off the floor. Standard height is 900 to 1,200 millimetres above the floor.
Toilet roll holders and brushes
A toilet roll holder should be within easy reach of the toilet — 600 to 700 millimetres from the centre of the toilet, at a height of about 660 millimetres. Recessed holders sit flush with the wall and save space in tight rooms.
A toilet brush holder is a small detail that makes a real difference to the look of the room. Matching it to the towel rail and robe hook creates a clean, finished feel.
Matching finishes to tapware
Choose hardware in the same finish as your tapware and shower fittings. If your taps are matte black, your towel rail, hooks and holders should be matte black too. Mixing chrome and black in the same room looks unplanned.
Common finishes in 2026 are matte black, brushed nickel, brushed brass and chrome. Our tapware finishes guide covers the pros and cons of each finish and how they wear over time.
When to choose hardware
Hardware is selected during the fixtures and fittings stage — after tiles and tapware are locked in, but before the final fit-off. This timing matters because the builder needs to know where to place wall mounting points.
Phil Deayton said about our work: "Would definitely recommend them, especially for their attention to detail. It was 100%." Those small details — level rails, centred hooks, matched finishes — add up to a room that feels complete.
Getting the details right with ETR
Hardware placement is part of our design process. During the free on-site measure, we note where towels will hang, where robes will go and which hand reaches for the toilet roll. These details are planned, not guessed.
Every bathroom renovation starts with a free on-site measure anywhere in Sydney. Call 0411 752 334 to book yours.
Frequently asked questions
What bathroom accessories do I need?
At a minimum: one towel rail or bar, one or two hooks (robe or towel), a toilet roll holder and a toilet brush holder. A soap dish or dispenser and a bath shelf are optional but useful. Choose them all in the same finish.
Should bathroom hardware match the tapware?
Yes. Matching the finish (matte black, chrome, brushed nickel) across tapware, shower fittings and hardware creates a unified look. Mixing finishes in the same room looks unplanned.
How much do bathroom accessories cost?
A basic hardware pack (towel rail, hook, toilet roll holder, brush holder) costs $200 to $400 in chrome or matte black. Premium brands or brushed brass finishes cost $400 to $600 or more.
Can I add accessories after the renovation is finished?
Surface-mounted accessories (hooks, rails with visible screws) can be added at any time. Recessed accessories (in-wall holders, niches) must be planned during the renovation because they need a cavity in the wall.
Where should I put the towel rail in a bathroom?
Within arm's reach of the shower, at a height of 900 to 1,200 millimetres above the floor. If space is tight, a hook on the back of the door works as an alternative.