(Image credit: Year Round Co. ) If you’re the market for new bath towels because you want to refresh your linen closet or stock up on extra ones to have on hand for guests, take a few minutes to consider your options. There are a plethora of possibilities out there and being mindful about your decision can make it worthwhile for your wallet. Here is a list of ten sources for great towels at a reasonable price! 1) Ikea ($2.99-$14.99): These are probably some of the cheapest option for towels out there. They happen to be one of my husband’s favorites because of how quickly it dries him off. I want my towels to feel soft and luxurious, but my husband wants the towel to be practical. These will do the job and I've actually been surprised at how long they have lasted. 2) Tiny Towel by Kara Weaves ($2.60): These are going to be affordable because they are small hand towels, but their versatility allows you to use them in many different ways. You can use them as body cloth, face scrub or lay them out in a basket to use as hand towels.
All the pieces from Kara Weaves is hand-woven by artisan weavers, so it makes them extra special. 3) Lasting Color Cotton Bath Towels by WestPoint Home from Bed Bath and Beyond ($5.99): These are great value and live up to their name by retaining their color after many washes. It is known to shrink significantly after a while, but it is durable and dries quickly. 4) World Market ($5.99-$15.99): World Market is one of my favorite places to buy home goods. Their items are a great combination of high quality and low prices and I like how they have various items and designs from all over the world. I love their simple White Chevron Cotton Towels, but they also have towels with beautiful designs and colors. 5) Martex Hospitality Bath Towels ($38 for a set of 6): These are similar to the towels you get at a hotel; they aren't my favorite, but they are durable. The best use for these seems to be as a workout towel. Stuff a couple in your workout bag and you will appreciate how quickly it wipes up your sweat.
At about $6 per towel, it's good value for your money. 6) Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel ($15.99): Yes, it's a towel just for your hair, but if you have a lot of hair, it will be worth it. The towel soaks up so much of the water from your hair and helps dry your hair that much faster. It is thin but big enough to wrap around your hair on top of your head. 7) Apt 9 Highly Absorbent Solid Bath Towel from Kohls ($17.99): I've heard several people say this is their favorite towel. It's large, absorbent, and stays soft after several washes. 8) Royal Velvet Egyptian Cotton Solid Bath Towels from JCPenney ($18): These are probably my everyday favorite towels. I can really tell the difference with Egyptian cotton towels - they are very soft, fluffy and have lasted over time. They are usually priced at $18, but the store often has sales. Right now they are on sale for $10.99! 9) 1888 Mills Luxury Cotton Made in Africa ($20): These towels are made in the USA with 100% African cotton from the Cotton Made In Africa project.
The project aims to to improve the conditions of life for a large number of smallholder African farmers by providing a fair market value for their cotton. These are plush and durable, a great combination. They can also usually be found at Costco. 10) Hotel Collection Bath Towels MicroCotton Collection ($25): This one topped Good Housekeeping's list of best bath towels (they tested 55 lines!) and shows up on a lot of wedding registries. The best thing about these is how they stay really soft after several washes. Extra: They are not available online, but you can also get great deals on brand name towels (Ralph Lauren's is one of my favorites) at stores like TJMaxx and Marshall's. What are some of your favorite brands and sources for towels?Picture the scene -- you're flipping through a home decor magazine and come across a page that completely speaks to you. The colors, the layout, the furniture and decor, everything is perfect! (I feel like this every time I open a Better Homes and Gardensor a Real Simple.)
Then your eyes flick down to the price, and all the happy inspiration goes out of you. If this sounds familiar, never fear: there are plenty of places I frequent for dorm decor that have inexpensive but wonderful designs. Just like when you score a ridiculously cheap but gorgeous piece of clothing, finding fantastic decor on the cheap can make you feel like you just won the lottery. Below, I'll list my top three favorite places to find dorm decor on a budget, as well as some fabulous yet affordable pieces that they have to offer. (For a similar article on the clothing side, check out the top 10 places for fashion on a budget!) For whimsy, boho-chic, and one-of-a-kind dorm decor, there's no better place than Urban Outfitters! I love visiting their gigantic store in Boston's Quincy Market, but their website is unsurpassed in inspiration and selection. Their products have a retro, vintage, and generally humorous and kitschy approach to design, and are classic enough to deserve a place in every fashionista's dorm.
Here are some examples of wonderfully priced and gorgeous pieces: Product Information: Mirror/Jewelry Holder, Wall Decal, Duvet Cover, Poster, Jeweled Over-the-Door Hanger, Polaroid Frames, Stackable Dishes It seems like Target can do no wrong -- their collection of dorm decor is comprehensive and affordably priced, and there are some truly great steals to be found! They're especially great for inexpensive furniture, which can cost a small fortune at other places. Their dorm lines are designed for small college spaces, so they should be easy to transport in and out of your school when the time comes. I love their graphic, bold color prints, and they even issue a special dorm room shopping checklist every August! Some great Target picks: Product Information: Shadow Box, Chandelier Decal, Tree Wastepaper Basket, Owl Lamp, Black Frames, Sofa Bed, Damask Bedding Not surprisingly, the Swedish powerhouse IKEAis my favorite place to find the most phenomenal dorm decor. Their prices are so cheap because you have to construct some of the furniture yourself, but I look at it as a blessing -- you save money and become more acquainted with power tools!