Towel hooks and bars are one of those bathroom fixtures that most people simply accept as visible. They get mounted on the wall, they stay on the wall, and they become part of the visual clutter that accumulates in even the most carefully designed bathroom. A company called EdPLIT has been working on a different approach: a towel holder that installs completely inside the tile itself, leaving nothing visible on the wall surface except a small circular outline — until someone presses it.
The EdPLIT Hidden Towel Holder Set is a push-to-open hook system that integrates flush into ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile walls. When not in use, the hook retracts into the wall and the surface reads as uninterrupted tile. A light press extends the hook outward, ready to hold a towel, robe, or bag. Press it again, and it folds back in.
The product won the Red Dot Award in 2026 and has been used in more than 1,000 installations worldwide.
A product built around a design problem
EdPLIT is a hardware innovation company focused on concealed bathroom and kitchen accessories — products designed to disappear into tiled surfaces rather than sit on top of them. The Hidden Towel Holder is part of a broader product line that includes concealed toilet flush buttons, hidden exhaust fan mounting systems, and tile-integrated electrical components, all built around the same core idea: functional hardware that doesn’t interrupt a clean wall surface.
The towel holder system is patented as the first fully integrated, tileable towel hook of its kind. It is available in two sizes — a 22 mm standard holder and a 42 mm holder with a ball-catch mechanism — and ships as a set of either 3 or 5 hooks, depending on the project’s scope. The system comes with a 2-year warranty and the company reports over 1,000 completed installations globally.
How the system works
The hook body installs inside a circular hole cut into the tile using the included 25 mm diamond hole saw. The mechanism is recessed into the wall cavity behind the tile, with only the front ring visible at the tile surface when the hook is in its closed position. Pressing the face of the hook engages a spring mechanism that extends the hook outward from the wall, creating a functional hanging point. Releasing it causes it to retract flush again.
Installation requires a minimum wall thickness of 65 mm and an installation depth of 62 mm behind the tile face. The system is compatible with ceramic and porcelain tiles up to 20 mm thick, as well as natural stone and plasterboard walls with double-layer construction. Polyurethane (PU) glue is used to secure the housing in place after the hole is cut.
The mechanism is designed to be serviceable. Internal components can be accessed and replaced if needed, which the company positions as a practical consideration for long-term installations in kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial spaces.
What comes in the box
Each set includes the hooks themselves — either 3 or 5 depending on the configuration chosen — along with all the tools and hardware required for installation. The box contains a Ø 25 mm diamond hole saw, an adhesive template for marking the cut precisely on the tile face, a mounting template, an edge protection ring to prevent chipping during drilling, a depth measuring tool, and a tile ejector tool. No additional specialty tools are required for a standard installation.
EdPLIT also sells a proprietary long-neck angle milling and drilling unit separately for buyers who want a more specialized tool for the cutting step, particularly for harder stone or porcelain tiles.
Where it works
The system is suited to any tiled interior wall surface — bathroom showers, vanity walls, kitchen backsplashes, spa facilities, hotel rooms, or any commercial space where a clean wall aesthetic is a priority. The company notes it works in both residential and commercial projects and lists “design without limits” as one of its core product promises.
EdPLIT’s broader product line is designed to complement the towel holder system. The same clean-wall philosophy runs through its hidden flush buttons and concealed ventilation products, making the system practical for full bathroom renovations that want to eliminate visible surface hardware throughout.
Things to keep in mind
The EdPLIT system requires cutting holes into existing or new tile, which makes it more involved to install than a surface-mounted hook. It is best suited for new construction or renovation projects where tiling is already planned. Retrofitting into an existing finished wall is possible but requires more careful preparation and the right tools for the tile material.
The maximum weight capacity is 20 kg, with an optimal load of 10 kg — practical for towels, robes, and light bags, but not intended for heavier items. Buyers outside of Europe should also factor in customs fees and import taxes, which are not included in the listed product price. Manufacturing lead time runs 5 to 10 business days before shipping.
The system is not compatible with all wall materials by default. Surfaces like chipboard or medium-density fiberboard are listed as requiring consultation with EdPLIT before ordering, as compatibility depends on several installation factors.
Pricing and availability
The Hidden Towel Holder Set is available in configurations of 3 or 5 hooks. The 3-piece set is available for US$111, and the 5-piece set costs US$162. The product can be ordered directly via the EdPLIT website.
Product page: EdPLIT
