How to Install Bathroom Towel Hook? | Stud First, Anchors When Needed

Install a bathroom towel hook by mounting it to a wall stud when possible, or by using the supplied anchors and screws on drywall or tile.

Mounting a bathroom towel hook is a straightforward job that takes about 15 minutes and a few basic tools. The core decision is whether you hit a stud or use wall anchors. Here is the step order that works, along with the exact hole sizes and hardware details from major manufacturer instructions.

What You Need Before Drilling

Gather a stud finder, pencil, level, drill with the correct drill bit, the hook’s mounting template, and the hardware that came in the box. Using the supplied anchors and screws matters — they are sized to the product’s holes.

First, find a stud with your stud finder and mark the centerline. Moen’s instructions say the accessory works best when fastened to a stud or cross brace. If you hit a stud, you can skip the anchors and drive the screws directly into wood.

When no stud is available, plan to use the anchors. Lowe’s installation guide covers this exact scenario and recommends the anchor route for drywall.

Marking, Leveling, and Drilling the Mounting Holes

Position the mounting template where you want the hook, then check it with a level before you mark anything. Delta’s bath-hardware manual warns the accessory will not mount level if the template is not level — a crooked hook is the most common failed install, and it comes from skipping this step.

Hold the template against the wall, confirm it reads level, and tape it in place. Mark the mounting locations through the template holes.

Drill the pilot holes at your marks. The exact size depends on the hardware:

• Moen toggle anchors: drill two 5/16-inch holes at the mounting locations.
• Delta-style screw anchors: drill two 1/4-inch holes at least 1-3/4 inches deep for drywall or tile.

For tile walls, the Delta/related bath-hardware manual explicitly allows anchors and screws, but the hole diameter and depth must match the specified numbers to avoid cracking the tile. Go slow and let the bit do the work.

Seating the Anchors and Mounting the Plate

With the holes drilled, tap the anchors flush with the wall surface using a hammer. A partially seated anchor will push out when you drive the screw, which ruins the grip.

The activation step differs by anchor type. Moen’s instructions call for inserting the plastic toggle anchors, tapping them flush, then activating them with the supplied pins. The Delta-style manual simply says to insert the anchors flush before securing the plate.

Place the mounting plate over the holes — Moen’s instructions specifically note the plate should face you with the “UP” marking oriented correctly. Insert the screws and tighten them, but avoid over-torquing into drywall if you skipped anchors.

Attaching the Hook Body and Final Security Check

The hook body attaches to the mounting plate with a setscrew. Newport Brass instructions for towel ring and robe hook variants describe sliding the end post onto the flange and securing it with the setscrew. The same principle applies to most wall-mounted towel hooks.

Tighten the setscrew with the supplied hex wrench. This is the step people skip, and it produces a hook that wiggles when you use it.

Finish with a gentle tug test. Lowe’s guide includes this final check, and it confirms both the plate and the hook body are secure.

For placement, hang the hook about 65–70 inches from the floor, or roughly 8–10 inches from the shower edge if you have multiple hooks.

If you are shopping for options before installing, our tested roundup of the best bathroom towel hooks compares finishes, mounting styles, and durability across top brands.

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