12 Beautiful Tea Towels to Brighten Up Your Kitchen

A good tea towel can do more than just help you dry your hands and dishes—it can liven up the ambience of your entire kitchen. "Tea towels are an instant kitchen upgrade," says Heather Taylor, the founder of Heather Taylor Home. "Aside from how obviously useful they are, they are a quick and easy way to provide a fresh pop of color hanging from your oven rack or draped over your sink."

However, due to the ample assortment of tea towel offerings on the market, separating the stellar from the lackluster can be tricky. "By definition, a tea towel is woven from either fine cotton or linen, whereas dishtowels can be me made of terry cloth," explains Natalie Rodgers, the Senior Director of Merchandising and Business Development at Sur La Table. "Look for thick, soft towels that are well woven (in either cotton or linen), as these are the most absorbent." Tea towels are also a foolproof way to play with different prints, textures, and patterns in your kitchen. "We like to design tea towels in cheery colors with pretty details, like knotted edges," Taylor says. "You should pick tea towel patterns that make you feel happy just by looking at them."

What's more, tea towels are widely available and usually affordable, so you can use them to dress up your kitchen without straining your bank account. Searching for a tea towel or two to energize your sink or oven area? From striped linens to vintage-inspired floral styles, here are a dozen to consider buying right now.

An eye-catching tea towel can instantly energize your kitchen. This oversized linen tea towel features a bold orange and floral motif. "The design was inspired by the Calabria region of Southern Italy, where clementines, oranges, and mandarins are grown in abundance," notes Rodgers.

Shop Now: Sur La Table Orange Blossoms Linen Kitchen Towel, $20, surlatable.com.

Consider this classic jacquard pair, made from pure cotton at a family mill in Russia; the towels feature a charming botanical print that brings a touch of whimsy to a space.

Shop Now: Williams-Sonoma Spring Jacquard Towels, $24.99 per pair, williams-sonoma.com.

A little color goes a long way. This splashy pack features four waffle-textured towels in yarn-dyed hues, ranging from bright yellow to blush pink, that bring a pop of personality to a sink area.

Shop Now: Anthropologie Market Dishcloths in Ochre, $18 for set of four, anthropologie.com.

Looking for a stylish way to play with patterns? This soft set of 100-percent cotton tea towels comes clad in stripes that adds a dash of drama to a sink or oven.

Shop Now: Crate & Barrel Farmhouse Aqua Stripe Dish Towels, $12.95 per pair, crateandbarrel.com.

You can always count on a whimsical print to create an artful display. Made from Lithuanian linen, this pretty tea towel features a sprightly flora and fauna motif and gets softer after every wash.

Shop Now: Terrain Botanical Bird Linen Tea Towel, $24, shopterrain.com.

A favorite of bloggers, designers, and shoppers alike, these simple but durable tea towels have a serious cult following. Constructed of washable cotton with a sleek red stripe, these super absorbent towels come in an affordable set of four.

Shop Now: King Arthur Flour Sack Towels, set of four, $14.95, shop.kingarthurflour.com.

Aptly named Dusk, this tea towel's colorway reminds us of the prettiest summer sunset.

Shop Now: Bolé Road Afar Tea Towel in Dusk, price upon request, boleroadtextiles.com.

The only thing better than a beautiful tea towel is one that's crafted by artisans. This stylish set of three is handwoven in Oaxaca, Mexico, and are both ethically made and one-of-a-kind. 

Shop Now: Minna Goods Tea Towel Bundle, $84 for set of three, garmentory.com.

Dress up a chrome stove or white farm sink with this red-and-green botanical option.

Shop Now: Justina Blakeney Botanicals on Blush Kitchen Towel, $28, jungalow.com.

Bohemian design lovers, this is the tea towel for you. Handmade in Sweden using traditional weaving techniques, this colorful tea towel boasts a vintage-inspired floral print that's the perfect mix of eclectic and cool.

Shop Now: Ekelund Weavers Ängsblom Tea Towel, $19.55, fjorn.com.

Nothing freshens up a kitchen sink faster than a textural tea towel. Handwoven in Kannur, India, this sophisticated set of hand-loomed towels is made using locally-sourced cotton, so they're lightweight, absorbent, and sustainable.

Shop Now: The Citizenry Onam Kitchen Towels, in Blush, $65 for set of three, the-citizenry.com.

Whether you're a fan of minimalist spaces or prefer eclectic interiors, a striped tea towel can instantly elevate the vibe of a kitchen. "The Canyon Stripe Tea Towel feels like a classic stripe but the texture gives it a unique feeling," says Taylor.

Shop Now: Heather Taylor Home Canyon Stripe Blue Tea Towel, $24, heathertaylorhome.com.