Bath Linens Guide: Towels, Bath Rugs, and Shower Curtains

Bathroom essentials are the things you use every day to keep your bathroom clean, comfortable, and easy to use. They include towels, bath sheets, bath mats or rugs, and shower curtains. Each item has a different purpose and job: towels help to dry your body, bath mats help to keep the floor dry, and shower curtains add style to your bathroom; thus, they all make your bathroom easy to use.

Understanding Towel Sizes: Washcloth, Hand Towel, Bath Towel, Bath Sheet

When you pick the right size for your everyday towels, it can make a difference in how easy your day is! If you prefer the lightweight feel of a quick-drying towel or the comfort of large luxury bath towels, this guide will show you what size to choose for your needs.

For most people, a regular-sized bath towel will do, but a large towel for showering, also called a bath sheet, offers even more room to wrap up after a hot bath or shower. While both bath towels vs. bath sheets cover your body, bath sheets are generally larger and softer and can give you a more luxurious hotel-style feel. Because they are larger and contain more fabric, bath sheets typically take more time to wash and dry.

Heavy, hotel-quality towels are some of the most luxurious on the market. The RHH 800 GSM Towels Set and RHH 800 GSM Bath Sheet 2-Piece Set are great examples of what you might find in a 5-star hotel.

What is GSM and Why It Matters for Towels

When shopping for towels, you’ll often notice a number like 600 or 800 on the GSM towel label. GSM stands for grams per square meter, and it’s one of the best ways to measure towel thickness and quality. Unlike bed sheets, where thread count matters, what GSM is in towels is a much more useful question because towels are made from terry cloth loops rather than flat fabric.

Here’s a general idea of how GSM affects the feel of the towel:

If you’re wondering about the best GSM for bath towels, it depends on your needs. Lower GSM towels dry quickly, while higher GSM towels feel softer and absorb more water.

Regency Heights Home’s 800 GSM bath towels fit into the luxury category. They feel thick, fluffy, and highly absorbent.

These high GSM towels have the thickest plies and are most absorptive, making for the softest hand towels. Of course, the amount of GSM in a towel is just part of the story; using high-quality, 100% combed, long-staple cotton with a higher GSM rating creates the perfect soft towel set that will last years to come.

Bath Mat vs. Bath Rug: What’s the Difference?

Many people think a bath mat and a bath rug are the same thing, but they actually have different jobs.

Standard bath rug sizes vary more, with larger sizes often available. Most are made with non-slip backing, especially designed to avoid sliding. Some rugs may have backing, while others do not. Materials like cotton and microfiber are most common and effective. Available in a variety of weaves and tufted styles. A bath mat’s primary purpose is functional: it catches water. Because they have a job to do, bath mats are almost always designed with non-slip backing for safety.

The RHH cotton bath mat will keep water from reaching the floor, while the bath rug is plush and comforting. For those who like extra softness, the RHH tufted bath rug, hand-woven bath rug, or our 3000 GSM tufted reversible bath rug will be perfect choices.

Shower Curtain Sizes & How to Pick the Right One 

Shower curtains come in standard sizes, and picking the wrong one is one of the most common bathroom mistakes.

• Standard shower curtain size: 75 x 72. It fits most 60-inch tubs. This is the size most bathrooms need.
• Extra-long shower curtain size: If you have a shower wall or a curtain rod that is mounted high, you need an extra-long shower curtain size: 72 x 84.
• Stall shower curtain size: 54 x 78, made for a narrow, stand-alone shower wall.
• Extra-wide shower curtain size: 108 x 144 for clawfoot tubs or wider shower setups.

Measure your shower curtain rod width and height from the rod to the floor before you buy. This helps you save both time and money.

Do you need a liner?

If your curtain is made from fabrics like cotton, faux silk, jacquard, or anything with chenille trim, then yes, you need to have a separate waterproof liner underneath. The fabric curtains look attractive and nice, but they are not waterproof. When it comes to sizing the liner, make it the same size as your curtain or 1 to 2 inches smaller. Also, make sure that it stays tucked inside the tub. This way, water drips into the tub instead of onto your floor.

Shower Curtain Materials Explained

Your shower curtain can change both the look and function of your bathroom. Different materials offer different benefits.

Cotton shower curtains are often considered one of the best. Cotton is breathable and soft. They create a fresh, natural look in the bathroom. Due to the fabric’s natural tendency to absorb water, it should always be used with a shower curtain liner. RHH Cotton Floral Shower Curtains are a prime example.

Faux silk shower curtains create a smooth and luxurious appearance. It also works best with a liner because it’s mainly decorative.

Polyester Shower Curtain: a more water-resistant option, polyester curtains are easier to care for and less likely to attract mold and mildew. If you prefer a classic yet practical choice, consider a Polyester Jacquard Shower Curtain like RHH’s Jacquard Traditional Polyester Shower Curtain. 

For bright bathrooms, use a sheer shower curtain to let in the maximum amount of natural light while still providing a layer of decorative style. They work well to complement another shower curtain liner.

How to Choose Bath Linens for Your Bathroom

When you know the sizes and materials of bath linens, putting them together is mostly about finding the ones that fit your bathroom. Thus, you shouldn't just pick whatever looks nice; it's about making the right decision and making the right plan before buying anything.

• First measurement: Before you buy anything, go and check your tub width and take some measurements, whether you have a shower stall or a walk-in shower, and then what's the height of your curtain rod? These three numbers will help you figure out and tell you almost everything: which shower curtain size to grab, whether you need a bath sheet or a regular bath towel, and how much floor space you actually have for a rug. Ignoring these steps is how people end up with a curtain that drags on the floor or a rug that barely fits.  
• Coordinate colors and fabric: Picking towels, a rug, and a curtain that work together will make your bathroom look nice. This doesn't mean everything needs to match exactly. A plain white towel set and a patterned rug can be matched together, but it just needs to feel like it belongs in the same room. A good trick is to pick one item first, like the shower curtain, and build the rest of the room around its color.
• Set a budget: A full bath linen set, which contains new towels, a rug, and a curtain, can cost anywhere from $59.99 to $167.99. This depends on what you choose. Higher-quality towels and a thick rug will cost more, while lighter cotton pieces cost less. It helps to decide whether you want to buy everything at once or upgrade one item at a time.
• Think about your climate: If you live in a humid place,  you need quick-dry towels and mats. This is because heavier fabric can hold moisture longer and can start smelling musty if it doesn't dry well. If drying time isn't an issue where you live, you can lean into the plush, absorbent side of things, and thicker towels and heavier rugs can be trusted without worrying as much about how fast they dry.

Taking a few minutes to measure, plan a rough budget, and think about your climate before you buy the things will save you from buying the wrong size or the wrong fabric.

Bath Linen Care & Maintenance

Taking care of your bath linens helps them stay soft, clean, and absorbent for years.

When to wash bath towels

Bath towels should ideally be washed after 1-2 uses, or at least once a week. Bath mats and cotton bath rug varieties can amass dirt and moisture more readily, so wash them at least weekly.

Wash your towels in cold or warm water using a mild detergent, avoiding harsh chemicals.

Why avoid fabric softener?

While it might seem like a great idea to make your towels extra soft with fabric softener, it actually coats the terry cloth fibers and reduces absorbency over time.

Shower curtain liners generally need to be replaced every 6-12 months, depending on how much they are used and how they are cleaned. Fabric shower curtains can last much longer, often one to three years or more with proper washing.

To prevent mold and mildew, always spread your shower curtain open after use and dry rugs on low heat. These small habits help keep your bathroom textiles fresh and create a cleaner, spa-style bathroom every day. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GSM in towels, and what's a good GSM to look for?

GSM means grams per square meter, and it’s the main and easiest way to judge and measure towel thickness. For most households, 400 to 600 GSM covers are put to daily use, while 800 GSM towels give you a thicker and more luxurious feel that is usually provided by hotels and resorts.

What's the difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet?

A bath towel is around 27 x 52-54, while a bath sheet is large, around 35-40 x 65-80. The bath sheet gives more coverage but takes longer to dry and wash.

What's the difference between a bath mat and a bath rug?

A bath mat sits right at the tub or shower edge and is built to soak up water and prevent slipping in the bathroom and to prevent harm to anyone. A bath rug is more decorative and can go anywhere in the bathroom.

What shower curtain sizes do I need? 

Most bathrooms need a standard 72 x 72 shower curtain. Taller walls or higher curtain rods need a 72 x 84 shower curtain, whereas narrow stalls need 54 x 78, and clawfoot or wide tubs need 108-144.

Do fabric shower curtains need a liner?

Yes, cotton, faux silk, and jacquard curtains all need a separate waterproof liner to keep water inside the tub and prevent it from dripping on the floor.

How often should bath towels, mats, and shower curtains be washed?

It is recommended that towels be washed after every 1 or 2 uses, mats and rugs should be washed weekly, and curtains and liners should be washed periodically to stop mildew from building up.

How many towels should I own per person?

Most people like to keep 2 to 3 bath towels per person, so there's always a clean one ready while another one is in use or in the wash. 

How do I prevent my shower curtain from getting moldy?

Spread it out fully after every shower instead of leaving it bunched, try to keep the bathroom ventilated, and replace your liner every 6 to 12 months.

Shop Bath Linens at Regency Heights Home

Ready to actually upgrade your bathroom instead of just reading about it? Here's where the theory turns into towels you can touch.

Start with the 800GSM Cotton Towel Set. It's the plush, quick-absorbing pick we kept circling back to above. Want your bath mat to match? The Spa Cotton Reversible Bath Rug flips for double the life. Also, it won't fight your towel's color scheme. 

If your shower curtain still needs an upgrade, the Faux Silk Shower Curtain brings that elevated, hotel-spa look. All you've got to do is remember the liner. And for something textured underfoot, the 100% Cotton Tufted Reversible Bath Rug holds up wash after wash.

Browse the full lineup in our Bath collection, and if you're refreshing more than just the bathroom, our Bedding collection is a natural next stop.