Save Space (and Money!) with These Double-Duty Towels That Are Perfect for the Bathroom *and* the Beach

updated May 20, 2021
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: Lauren Kolyn

Summer is approaching — and with it, Summer Fridays — which means you’ll be spending lots of time at the pool, beach, and park. One product that’s essential in any beach bag is a great towel. Sure, you can keep a separate set of beach towels and bath towels, but if you’re anything like me, you’d prefer to invest in towels that can do it all. Yes, I am a dual-use kind of gal, especially since I don’t have much storage space for anything other than the essentials. That’s why I am so into indoor/outdoor towels, which are perfect to use fresh out of the shower or sprawl out on at the beach.

What should you look for in an indoor/outdoor towel? Well, you’ll want one that is super absorbent, soft, and durable enough to withstand the outdoor elements. I always give towels bonus points if they dry quickly and lay flat enough to fit in compact travel bags, and the ones below certainly fit the bill. Keep reading to find your new favorite summer accessory.

1 / 7
Macy's
$17.00
was $20.00

The Martha Stewart Collection never disappoints when it comes to linens. Made from 100 percent cotton, these 30" x 54" towels are soft and absorbent enough to use fresh out of the shower yet light enough to take with you outdoors. "This towel is very soft yet lightweight and absorbent," one satisfied Macy's customer wrote in a review. "It also looks good and holds its shape after repeated washing and drying."

2 / 7
Anthropologie
$98.00

If you need a set of towels that can do it all, look no further than these buttery soft rainbow towels from Anthropologie. They come in a set of six (two bath towels, two hand towels, and two wash cloths), and the full-size bath towels are also large enough to lay on while lounging at the park, pool, or beach.

3 / 7
Amazon
$33.99

If you like to travel light during the summer, this waffle-weave cotton towel ought to be in your Amazon cart. It dries up to 40 percent faster than terry cloth, and its naturally thin fabric takes up less space in the linen closet (I'm looking at you, small-space dwellers!) and your beach bag.

4 / 7
Amazon
$24.99

This Amazon find is fairly new to the market, but it's already impressing shoppers left and right. "I have two kids so any time I find something they both use in a set of two, I pounce on it," one customer shared in a review. "These quick drying towels have been perfect for us. Even though these are classic 'beach towel' size, we do use them for after baths and showers because we prefer all the extra room."

5 / 7
Amazon
$36.99

Behold one of the coolest towels you'll find online. This Brazilian beach towel instantly catches the eye thanks to its beautifully textured jacquard wave striped design. Made with equal parts style and function, these heavenly soft towels are also incredibly absorbent. As one customer said, they're "the sort of towels you'd find at a 5 star beach resort."

6 / 7
West Elm
$24.50

There are so many things to love about these stylish multipurpose towels from West Elm. They're certified organic, plush, and oh-so-soft thanks to their textural raised pile. (Also, they're just downright beautiful!) They're perfect to use as bath towels but equally great to take with you to the pool.

7 / 7
Urban Outfitters
$59.00

With its chunky stripes and bright colors, this towel set from Urban Outfitters evokes the spirit of summer. The set comes with a washcloth, a hand towel, and a bath towel that makes the perfect addition to your beach bag, too.