I have a confession to make. I am a little bit vain.

Let me explain. My illness has stolen so much from me: my health, my hobbies, my work schedule, time with my family, my social life… I can’t bring myself to let it take everything, and since it’s one place I can draw the line, I draw the line at my sense of style. I make it my goal, when I need an assistive device of any kind, to try my hardest to find one that’s both practical and beautiful.

One of the very first things I researched when my symptoms began was grab bars. They are the most practical assistive device out there–and often the ugliest. I just knew there had to be sturdy, stylish options available.

Here are the results of my search. These are my favorite ideas for subtle, stylish grab bars for your home.

Towel Holder Grab Bars

I absolutely love an item that does double duty. If I can put my things to work in more than one way, I’m all in! So when I discovered grab bars that also serve as towel holders, I was fascinated! Here are just two of the beautiful options on the market.

I love the calm, classic look of brushed nickel (although this product comes in a variety of finishes to suit your home). This bar is simple and subtle, and almost has the appearance of a regular towel bar. The thicker top rod serves as a grab bar, while the thinner bar beneath hangs your towel to dry. The added bonus of this style is that it keeps your towel close at hand–and anyone with chronic pain or balance issues knows that the less you have to reach for things, the better! It’s rated to support up to 250 lbs, is corrosion-resistant, and has a limited life warranty.

For a more modern look, consider a bar like this one. While the top has the look of a standard rounded grab bar, the curved portion at the bottom gives a convenient place to hang a towel. The added advantage to the open-ended towel bar in this style is that it’s easier to hang/remove the towel from the bar.

Toilet Paper Holder Grab Bars

This toilet paper holder/grab bar is so subtle, it’s almost hard to tell it’s a grab bar! The stylish finish and swooping lines make it really beautiful, and easy to match to other hardware in the bathroom. The top bar functions as a grab bar, while the lower portion keeps the toilet paper roll within easy reach.

Similar in style to the more modern towel bar above, this streamlined, simple bar is a beautiful option. The open-ended bottom bar also makes removing and replacing a toilet paper roll simple–a bonus if you have pain in your hands or difficulty with dexterity!

Shower/Bath Grab Bars

Did you imagine a grab bar could be a style statement? This gorgeous bronze gold bar could be just that! It’s sleek and elegant, and looks like anything but an assistive device. The bar is available in a variety of finishes, to make it easy to match to any of your hardware.

This grab bar is definitely a more modern take, with the black finish and circular shape. And while in many ways it looks like a grab bar, somehow it feels kind of fun and different at the same time!

Removable Grab Bars

I lived without a grab bar for a very long time. I just couldn’t bring myself to install one, for whatever reason. My particular illness seems to have a little bit of waxing and waning (at least of the more severe symptoms), so it was easiest for me to make my peace with the idea of a removable grab bar. It remains to be seen whether I will actually ever remove it, but I can certainly vouch for how helpful it has been! This is the particular bar I chose, although there are many options on the market.

There are some great advantages to a removable grab bar: first, of course, is that it can be removed in the future. This means if you are living with temporary limitations, or have symptoms that flare and worsen at times, you can add or remove the bar as needed. The second advantage is that it is incredibly easy to install. You don’t need to drill into the wall or bathroom tile, no need to find studs, no need to even use tools! Simply press the bar to the wall and secure the suction cups. I had my doubts about how sturdy it would be, but even pulling with all my weight didn’t dislodge the grab bar. It really works! The third advantage is that, being removable, you can take it with you when you travel, so you can be safe even when you are away from home. The one disadvantage is that it can only be mounted to certain types of surfaces, so make sure you research and have a plan for where it will attach.

What are some of your favorite beautiful grab bars? I’d love to see your top picks in the comments below!