Towel art (or towel origami) is the practice of folding towels into decorative shapes - animals, flowers, and other figures - as a hospitality touch.
Origins
Towel art became popular through: - Cruise ships (entertainment and cabin decoration) - Resort hotels (welcoming guests) - Housekeeping creativity (personal touches)
Common Designs
- Swans: The classic (often paired heart-shaped)
- Elephants: Popular and relatively easy
- Monkeys: Often hanging from fixtures
- Flowers: Roses, lotuses
- Hearts: Romantic occasions
- Various animals: Dogs, rabbits, crabs, etc.
Technique
Towel art typically uses: - Bath towels (body) - Hand towels (heads, details) - Face cloths (small features) - Rubber bands or ribbon (holding shape) - Googly eyes (optional decoration)
Cultural Impact
Towel animals have become: - Expected on cruises - Social media photo opportunities - YouTube tutorial subjects - Signs of attentive housekeeping
Related Terms
- Hotel towels - The medium