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Many people resist grab bars because they look clinical. A common compromise is a grab bar that doubles as a towel bar, or a decorative grab bar finished to match the faucets. These give real support while blending into the bathroom. The important distinction is between a rated grab bar that can also hold towels, and an ordinary towel bar that only looks sturdy. Ordinary towel bars are not built to hold a person's weight and often pull out of the wall when grabbed. This guide explains how combos work and how to choose and fit one.
Why ordinary towel bars are risky
A towel bar is typically held by small brackets and drywall anchors, designed to carry a few pounds of wet towels. When someone slips and grabs it, the force can be many times their body weight for an instant. The bar or anchors can pull out, and the person falls anyway, sometimes with a metal bar in hand. Many falls in bathrooms involve someone grabbing a towel bar, a soap dish or a shower door.
How combos work
- Grab bar with towel bar: a rated grab bar with a second, lighter rail above or below for towels.
- Grab bar sold as a towel bar: a rated grab bar in a decorative finish, used for towels day to day.
- Shelf with grab bar: a rated bar under a small shelf.
In each case, the grab bar part must be rated and installed into studs or approved anchors.
A combo to consider
The Moen LR2350 combines a 24-inch grab bar with an integrated towel bar in brushed nickel. Its listing states the grab bar supports up to 500 lb when installed in a stud or with SecureMount anchors.
Moen LR2350DBN 24-inch Grab Bar with Towel Bar
24 in. grab bar with an integrated towel bar; brushed nickel; listing states support up to 500 lb in a stud or with SecureMount anchors, and also lists 250 lb, so treat the lower figure as the safe number
Pros
- Looks like a towel bar, works as a grab bar
- Optional SecureMount installation
Cons
- The listing shows two different load figures
- Towels can hide the grip area
If there is no stud where you need the bar, SecureMount anchors are rated for hollow walls when installed as directed. See our guide to grab bars without studs.
Moen Home Care SecureMount Anchor (SMA1005CH)
One anchor per pack; supports up to 300 lb; braces behind the wall so a grab bar end can be mounted where there is no stud; chrome; limited lifetime warranty
Pros
- Lets you place a bar end between studs
- Made for Moen Home Care grab bars
Cons
- Needs a large hole, so drill carefully and measure twice
- Sold one per pack, so most bars need two
A peened grab bar in a plain finish can also serve as a towel bar in a guest bathroom.
Moen Home Care 18-inch Peened Grab Bar
18 in. long, 1.5 in. diameter stainless steel; peened slip-resistant handle texture; up to 500 lb when installed into a stud or with SecureMount anchors (sold separately)
Pros
- Peened texture for a surer grip when wet
- 18 in. length spans one stud bay plus margin
Cons
- Check the finish shown on the listing before ordering
- Anchors are extra
| Product | Key specs | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Moen LR2350DBN 24-inch Grab Bar with Towel Bar | 24 in. grab bar with an integrated towel bar; brushed nickel; listing states support up to 500 lb in a stud or with SecureMount anchors, and also lists 250 lb, so treat the lower figure as the safe number | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Moen Home Care SecureMount Anchor (SMA1005CH) | One anchor per pack; supports up to 300 lb; braces behind the wall so a grab bar end can be mounted where there is no stud; chrome; limited lifetime warranty | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Moen Home Care 18-inch Peened Grab Bar | 18 in. long, 1.5 in. diameter stainless steel; peened slip-resistant handle texture; up to 500 lb when installed into a stud or with SecureMount anchors (sold separately) | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings and can change between versions; check the listing before you buy. We don't show prices because they change often; the button shows the current price on Amazon.
Where to put a combo
Place the bar where the user needs support, then use it for towels. Good spots include:
- Beside the toilet, at about 33 to 36 inches high.
- On the wall next to the tub or shower entry, where people reach when stepping out.
- Beside the sink, if the user steadies themselves there.
Avoid placing a combo only where towels look nicest, if nobody can reach it when needed.
Installation
- Locate studs with a stud finder and confirm with a small test hole.
- Mark the bar's position at the right height.
- Fix the flanges into studs, or use rated anchors at any flange not on a stud.
- On tile, drill with the correct bit and seal holes.
- Pull firmly on the bar in every direction before use.
Finishes and look
Decorative grab bars come in chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, matte black and more. Matching the faucet finish makes bars look like part of the design. Some families find that replacing towel bars with rated grab bars throughout the bathroom adds support without changing the look much.
Grip
Decorative bars are often smooth. If the bar is in a wet area, a textured finish grips better. See our guide to peened vs smooth grab bars.
Swapping towel bars for grab bars
A simple project for an aging-in-place bathroom is to remove each towel bar and fit a rated grab bar in its place, at the right height, into studs. Patch the old holes. The bathroom looks the same, but every bar now holds weight. Label nothing as "safety"; it is just a towel bar that happens to be strong.
Talking about it with a parent
If a parent resists grab bars, a combo can make the change easier. Explain that it is a towel bar built to a higher standard. Many people accept it more readily than a clinical-looking bar.
Common mistakes
- Buying a towel bar marketed as "heavy duty" and assuming it is a grab bar.
- Fixing a combo with drywall anchors.
- Placing a combo where it cannot be reached from the toilet or shower.
- Hanging so many towels that the bar is hard to grip.
Care
Check fixings every few months, and wipe the bar clean. Keep towels hung neatly so the grip area is clear.
Checking an existing bar
Not sure whether a bar in a home is a grab bar or a towel bar? Look for a maker's name and rating, check the flanges (grab bars usually have three or more screws per flange), and look at the diameter. When in doubt, treat it as a towel bar and add a rated grab bar.
FAQ
Can a towel bar be used as a grab bar?
No. Ordinary towel bars are not designed for body weight. Use a rated grab bar instead.
Are grab bar and towel bar combos safe?
Yes, if the product is rated as a grab bar and installed into studs or approved anchors.
Do decorative grab bars meet ADA guidelines?
Some are designed to; check the listing. ADA guidance applies to public buildings, not homes.
What height should a towel bar grab bar be?
Wherever support is needed, often 33 to 36 inches, rather than the usual towel bar height.
How can I tell a grab bar from a towel bar?
Grab bars carry a rating, have sturdier flanges, and usually a diameter of 1.25 to 1.5 inches.