Hammam towel on the balcony: privacy screen, seat cover and holiday feeling
A hammam towel on the balcony is the easiest way to bring a holiday feeling home: on the railing it becomes a privacy screen, on the chair a seat cover, on the floor a reading corner. You need neither a drill nor new furniture – and in autumn the towel simply goes back into the cupboard or to the beach. In this guide we show you how to attach towels securely, which size suits your railing, what is allowed in a rented flat and how the colours stay beautiful in the sun.
Contents8
- Why cotton towels work so well on the balcony
- The hammam towel as a balcony privacy screen
- Rented flat: what is allowed?
- Seat cover, bench and floor: comfort without new furniture
- Holiday feeling: make your balcony feel like a beach café
- Outdoor care: keeping colours and fibres beautiful
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Why cotton towels work so well on the balcony
Classic privacy mats made of plastic or bamboo are practical but rarely pretty. A flat-woven hammam towel on the balcony, on the other hand, brings colour, pattern and fringes – and can be used in many ways. It is light, can be put up and taken down in minutes and simply goes into the washing machine when pollen, dust or rain have left their mark.
- Flexible: Privacy screen today, beach towel tomorrow, sofa throw in autumn.
- No drilling: Cable ties, clips or ribbons are enough.
- Airy: Flat-woven cotton lets some air through – heat builds up less than behind a closed tarp.
- Washable: Into the machine at 30 °C, air-dry, done.
The hammam towel as a balcony privacy screen
The towel is most often used on the railing. That way it protects you from curious looks from the street or the neighbouring balcony. To make it look good and hang securely, it's best to proceed like this:
- Measure the railing: Note the length and height of the section you want to cover.
- Choose the towel: The long side of the towel goes horizontally along the railing (see table below).
- Fix the top: Attach the top edge to the handrail every 30–40 cm with cable ties, clips or fabric ribbons.
- Secure the bottom: Fix the bottom edge at several points too. Otherwise the towel acts like a sail in the wind.
- Use the fringes: The fringes hang down at the sides or can be used as ties – don't pull too hard, or the knots will loosen.
A hammam towel on the balcony isn't quite as opaque as a plastic mat. More densely woven and patterned towels look much less see-through than very light, plain ones. If you want more privacy, fold a large towel double.
Which towel size suits your railing?
Typical balcony railings are about one metre high. The table shows how much railing a towel covers when attached horizontally:
| Towel | Size | Coverage on the railing | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean beach towel | 180 × 100 cm | approx. 1.80 m long, approx. 1 m high, single layer | small balconies, side panel, bold colour |
| Anatolia XL beach towel | 180 × 130 cm | approx. 1.80 m long, fold the overhang over the top | calm look in natural white with black stripes |
| Coastline XXL beach towel | 240 × 200 cm | approx. 2.40 m long, folded double approx. 1 m high | long fronts, more privacy thanks to two layers |
For longer railings, hang two or three towels side by side. The same towels in different colours create a cheerful striped look, the same colours look calmer.
Rented flat: what is allowed?
In rented flats a privacy screen on the balcony is usually no problem as long as you don't drill, don't alter the facade and can remove everything without leaving a trace. Cable ties and clips do exactly that. Still, it's worth checking your tenancy agreement and house rules: some landlords or owners' associations specify how balconies may look from the outside. If in doubt, just ask – it saves trouble later.
Safety matters too: the towel must not fall down or endanger anyone. Keep it away from barbecues, candles and patio heaters, because cotton is flammable. If a storm is forecast, take the hammam towel off the balcony and bring it inside.
Seat cover, bench and floor: comfort without new furniture
Hard wooden or metal chairs become cosier with a folded towel. Folded once lengthwise and once crosswise, a 180 × 100 cm towel fits most seats and adds a little padding. On a bench it lies folded lengthwise like a runner – with fringes at both ends this looks especially nice.
The reading corner on the floor
No room for a lounger? Then the floor becomes your lounge. Lay a large towel on the tiles or decking, add a few cushions – and your reading corner is ready. The Coastline XXL beach towel measuring 240 × 200 cm offers room for two. A camping mat or thin rug underneath makes it softer and keeps out the cold from the floor.
Shade from above
On balconies without an awning, a light towel can be stretched between two secure fixing points as a small sunshade – for example between the railing and a sturdy hook that is already there. Only put it up in calm weather and take it down when it's windy. A towel is not a tested sun sail.
Holiday feeling: make your balcony feel like a beach café
The effect comes from the combination. A hammam towel on the balcony on its own is pretty – together with a few details it feels like a holiday:
- Choose a colour scheme: Blue and white looks maritime, sage and beige natural, red and pink Mediterranean.
- Mix patterns: A striped towel on the railing, a towel with a geometric pattern on the bench.
- Light: Fairy lights or a lantern at a safe distance from the fabric.
- Plants: Herbs, lavender or a little olive tree in a pot.
- Drinks: A thermos bottle with iced tea keeps drinks cool without someone constantly running to the kitchen.
The MAHINA beach towel with stripes, a geometric pattern and grey fringes goes well with terracotta and green in red, pink or sage.
Outdoor care: keeping colours and fibres beautiful
Outdoors, a hammam towel on the balcony is exposed to sun, rain and dust. With a few rules it will still last a long time:
- Sun: Like any cotton, a towel can become lighter over time in a lot of sun. Swap towels now and then or hang them on the side that gets less midday sun.
- Rain: Don't leave a wet towel hanging damp for days. Take it down, shake it out and let it dry – preferably in the shade.
- Washing: Wash every few weeks at 30 °C without fabric softener and air-dry.
- Winter: Take it down in autumn, wash it and store it dry. Until next spring it serves indoors as a blanket or bath towel.
You'll find all towels for outdoors in our beach towels collection.
Related reading: Hammam towel as a blanket: sofa throw, bedspread and picnic blanket · Hammam towel in the garden: garden shower, pool, lounger and hammock · Hammam towel as a tablecloth: the right size, stain protection and decoration ideas
Conclusion
Privacy screen on the railing, seat cover on the chair, reading corner on the floor: a hammam towel on the balcony turns a few square metres into a small holiday oasis. Attach it at several points without drilling, take it down in a storm, keep it away from open flames and give it a wash at 30 °C now and then. Then it will accompany you for many summers – on the balcony and at the beach.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hammam towel opaque enough as a privacy screen?
It depends on the model. More densely woven, patterned towels are much more opaque than very light ones. For more privacy, fold a large towel double, for example the Coastline XXL.
How do I attach a hammam towel to the balcony without drilling?
With cable ties, clips or fabric ribbons on the handrail and lower rail – at several points at the top and bottom so it doesn't flap in the wind.
Am I allowed to hang a towel on the railing in a rented flat?
Usually yes, as long as nothing is drilled and you can remove everything without a trace. Still check your tenancy agreement and house rules, because some landlords regulate how balconies look.
Does the towel fade in the sun?
In a lot of direct sun, cotton can become lighter over time. Swapping towels now and then and drying them in the shade after washing helps.
Can I still use the towel at the beach afterwards?
Yes. Wash it once and it's an ordinary beach towel or bath towel again.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.