Turn Empty Deck Holes Into a Water-Edge Towel Station

A towel is never far away when you first arrive at the pool. After everyone jumps into the water, however, towels seem to end up everywhere—draped over chairs, piled on tables, left on the ground, or carried away by the wind.

Traditional towel racks can help, but they also take up valuable space and add another bulky item to the pool deck. Hooks attached to a wall may be too far from the water, while towels left on furniture can make seating areas feel wet and disorganized.

For homeowners with compatible removable pool safety-fence holes, there may be a more convenient solution already built into the deck.

The Pinster with PAL® can transform an existing compatible hole into a removable poolside anchor for accessories such as a towel rack. The result is a cleaner, more adaptable water-edge towel station—without drilling new holes or permanently changing the deck.

Why pool towels create so much clutter

A busy pool day can involve several towels for swimmers, guests, lounge chairs, and quick cleanups. Without a designated place to keep them, the pool area can quickly feel disorganized.

Loose towels commonly end up:

• Covering lounge chairs that someone wants to use

• Falling onto wet or dirty pavers

• Blocking tables and other surfaces

• Getting mixed up between swimmers

• Blowing toward the pool or yard

• Creating clutter along walking areas

A poolside towel holder gives every towel a clear place. More importantly, positioning it close to the water makes it convenient enough that people will actually use it.

The best storage solution is not simply attractive. It should fit naturally into the way family members and guests move around the pool.

Put towels where swimmers need them

A towel station placed beside the house may look organized, but it is not always practical. Swimmers still have to cross the deck while dripping water to reach it.

A water-edge towel station keeps dry towels closer to the point of use. Someone leaving the pool can reach for a towel before walking through the seating or entertaining area.

This can help:

• Keep more water near the pool instead of across the patio

• Reduce wet footprints around outdoor furniture

• Make towels easier for children and guests to find

• Keep seating areas available

• Create a more organized poolside routine

Instead of choosing one permanent towel-rack location, The Pinster can be positioned in a compatible deck hole near the area being used that day.

Place it closer to the shallow end during a family swim, near the lounge area for a relaxing afternoon, or beside the main gathering space when entertaining guests.

Use the space already built into your deck

Many in-ground pools have sleeve-style holes for removable child safety-fence posts. When the safety fence is not installed, those holes may remain covered or unused.

The Pinster with PAL® was created to give compatible openings more possibilities.

The patented patio anchor system fits into a compatible existing pool safety-fence hole, providing a removable foundation for different poolside accessories. With an appropriate towel-rack attachment, an overlooked opening can become a convenient storage point near the water.

This approach eliminates the need to drill a new hole solely for a towel holder. It also avoids placing a wide freestanding base in the middle of the pool deck.

Any original safety function must always come first. If the holes are part of a removable child safety fence, accessories should never delay or interfere with restoring that barrier when required.

Keep more of the pool deck open

Outdoor spaces feel more relaxing when they are easy to navigate.

Freestanding towel trees and drying racks can occupy more room than expected, especially once several towels are hanging from them. Their feet or bases may extend into walking areas, compete with lounge furniture, or make smaller decks feel crowded.

The Pinster uses a compact, vertical pedestal design that works with a compatible anchor point already present in the deck. That smaller footprint helps preserve open space around the pool.

For homeowners, this can mean:

• Fewer objects occupying walking areas

• Less equipment surrounding lounge chairs

• A cleaner view across the pool

• Easier furniture placement

• A more intentional outdoor design

The polished white pedestal also feels more architectural than a temporary drying rack. It is designed to complement the environment instead of becoming another item that needs to be hidden after guests leave.

Create a better experience for family and guests

Small conveniences can transform the way an outdoor space feels.

When guests know exactly where to find a dry towel—and where to place one after swimming—the pool area feels more welcoming and thoughtfully prepared. The towel station becomes part of the experience, just like comfortable seating, shade, lighting, or refreshments.

Before guests arrive, you can:

1. Place The Pinster in a compatible hole near the swimming area.

2. Add the compatible towel-rack attachment.

3. Arrange clean, rolled, or folded towels.

4. Keep a separate basket nearby for used towels.

5. Clear unnecessary items from the walking path.

This creates a simple flow: pick up a clean towel near the water, enjoy the pool, and place the used towel in its designated location afterward.

For parties or larger gatherings, consider assigning towel colors to family members, children, or guests. This can reduce confusion and prevent people from repeatedly reaching for new towels.

Move the towel station as your plans change

A fixed towel rack only works well when activities always happen in the same part of the pool area. Real outdoor living is rarely that predictable.

The ideal location may change depending on:

• Where the sun is strongest

• Which entrance swimmers are using

• Where children are playing

• How furniture is arranged

• Whether guests are dining or relaxing

• Which section of the patio needs to remain open

The Pinster is designed to be repositioned between compatible anchor points. That portability allows the towel station to follow the activity instead of forcing everyone to walk back to one permanent location.

When the towel rack is not needed, the accessory can be removed so the deck can return to a simpler, more open arrangement.

Choose a purpose-built solution

It may be tempting to place a homemade post, drying line, or improvised rack into an empty pool safety-fence sleeve. However, ordinary household materials may not be designed for wet outdoor environments or compatible with the existing opening.

Improvised components can:

• Fit loosely or become stuck

• Absorb water or deteriorate

• Introduce rough or exposed edges

• Interfere with walking space

• Damage the original sleeve

• Make it harder to restore the safety fence

A purpose-built system provides a more intentional alternative. Before installing any Pinster accessory, confirm compatibility and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement, use, care, and removal.

The surrounding deck and sleeve should also be inspected. Do not use an opening that appears loose, cracked, or damaged.

More than a pool towel holder

A water-edge towel station is only one way to use The Pinster with PAL®.

Its multifunctional design creates a foundation for a growing range of compatible outdoor accessories. Depending on accessory compatibility and availability, the same anchor concept may support:

• A towel rack

• A patio umbrella

• Pool basketball equipment

• A volleyball net

• A pool skimmer

• A small poolside table

• Solar lighting

This versatility allows homeowners to adapt the pool area throughout the day.

A Pinster location could support a towel station during an afternoon swim, help provide shade during a relaxing pool day, or add soft solar lighting as the evening begins. Rather than filling the patio with several single-purpose stands, homeowners can build a more coordinated outdoor-living system.

Pair convenience with poolside style

A towel station can be practical without looking purely functional.

To create a polished poolside display:

• Choose towels that complement the pool furniture

• Use one or two coordinated colors

• Roll clean towels for a resort-inspired appearance

• Keep used towels in a separate ventilated basket

• Avoid overloading the rack

• Remove wet towels after swimming

• Keep the surrounding walking area open

Neutral white, sand, navy, and light blue can create a classic poolside look. Brighter colors may work well for family pools and make individual towels easier to identify.

The goal is to make the station feel like part of the outdoor design—not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

What are the small holes around my pool deck?

Many in-ground pools have sleeve-style holes designed for removable child safety-fence posts. Their size, depth, material, and condition can vary.

Can I turn a pool safety-fence hole into a towel station?

A compatible existing hole may be used with a purpose-built removable anchor system such as The Pinster. Always confirm compatibility and preserve the opening’s original safety purpose.

Do I need to drill a new hole for The Pinster?

The Pinster is designed to use a compatible opening already present in the pool deck. Do not drill or alter your deck without qualified guidance.

Is the towel station permanent?

The system is intended to be removable and adaptable. The Pinster and compatible accessories can be repositioned or removed according to the product instructions.

Can I move the towel rack around the pool?

The Pinster can be moved between compatible anchor points, helping you position towels closer to the area being used.

Can I leave wet towels on the rack overnight?

Wet towels should be removed and properly dried after pool use. This helps prevent odors, mildew, discoloration, and unnecessary exposure of the accessory to prolonged moisture.

Can the same Pinster support other accessories?

Yes. The Pinster is a multifunctional patio anchor system designed for different compatible poolside applications, subject to accessory availability and manufacturer guidance.

What if the hole belongs to my child safety fence?

The safety barrier must always take priority. Remove poolside accessories and restore the fence whenever required. Never allow an accessory to replace or interfere with the original safety system.

Give every towel a place by the pool

An organized pool deck should be easy to enjoy, not filled with oversized stands, damp chairs, and towels scattered across the patio.

With The Pinster with PAL®, a compatible opening already present in the deck can become a convenient water-edge towel station. Towels stay closer to swimmers, walking space remains more open, and the entire pool area feels more thoughtfully arranged.

When your plans change, the system can change with them—supporting shade, recreation, useful accessories, and evening ambiance through one adaptable anchor concept.

Explore The Pinster with PAL® and discover a smarter way to organize your poolside space.