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Ideal Home
Holly Cockburn

These are the stylish M&S towels I’m buying for a simple yet effective bathroom update – it's my budget-friendly hack for an expensive-looking scheme

White painted bathroom with green tiled floors, a wooden sink vanity and a freestanding bath.

I'll let you into one of my best kept secrets - a towel refresh is one of the fastest (and most budget-friendly) ways to update a bathroom scheme. And M&S' trusty towels are the most effective ways to achieve it.

It can be hard to know how to refresh a bathroom without undergoing a full renovation project, and if you're in a rented home, this is made even more challenging by uninspiring bathroom designs that you can't change.

So, often the extent of a bathroom update is left to the small things we can change. Bath mats and bathroom storage ideas can add some much-needed character to a space, but the best towels are my favourite way to inject colour and personality in one fell swoop.

M&S has some of the most stylish towels I've seen in a long while, which has inspired me to update my own this summer. With guests staying in the upcoming month, it's the perfect time to hit buy on these picks.

The soft neutral shade of these towels are a safer option than pure white, but they'll still look great in a number of different colour schemes.

Interiors trends are always reflected in small ways through towel designs, so it's a great way to try out a trend without investing too much time or effort.

Frills have been seen in so many different formats in 2026. Whether on the bottom of a sofa for a kitsch living room look or on a cafe curtain to add flair to a window, frills are a small touch that add a vintage-inspired look to any interior.

(Image credit: Future PLC / Rebecca Knight)

M&S' selection of trend-inspired towels doesn't stop there either. This cream blanket stitch towel adds subtle interest to the edge, creating a look that is a little bit different to your normal plain towel.

Colourful, checkerboard-patterned towels have been a big trend in 2026, but I'm leaning towards more pared-back styles with small embroidered details for the next season.

I'm predicting that this spotty embroidered towel will also be a huge hit for autumn. It comes in so many colours to suit any bathroom colour scheme, and I'm personally eyeing up the white and blue colourway to match my coastal countryside aesthetic.

Not only are they bang on trend, but these towels are also great value for the quality. These picks are all pure cotton and start as low as £6 for a hand towel and go up to £30 for a bath sheet, so you don't have to break the bank to purchase a full set.

Shop M&S towels

This blanket stitch towel will be super cosy come autumn/winter.

Polka dots have been a big fashion trend this summer and towels are a fun way to incorporate them into an interior.

This simple towel will look good in any classic scheme, the edging adds an interesting touch.

For a neutral towel with a twist these textured striped towels will instantly upgrade a bathroom.

I love a fringe border, it's something typically reserved for more expensive towels, but at £8 for a hand towel one of these will instantly elevate a bathroom sink.

For a different texture try a set of waffle towel for a unique and rustic look that still feels luxuriously high end.

Looking for a bigger bathroom project? Colourful shower trays are showing that 70s style is set to be back in a big way, but if you can't invest in a full colourful bathroom overhaul, there's always the option to go big with your towels or bath mat.

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