Quick poll: Seating in shower stall

[Wallflower]

I'm redoing my bathroom and want to include seating as part of an overall "aging in place" plan. I have the choice of a built-in bench or a fold-down seat and I'm torn. I need some opinions.

[lavenderblue]

I like the idea of a fold down seat, but looking at it long term, I'd be worry about it breaking. Having something built-in pretty much guarantees longevity.

[Wallflower]

FYI - the fold-down seat. I have the choices for the seating (e.g., teak), so I don't have to go with the cushioned seat shown here.

[lavenderblue]

Wallflower, I'm not gonna lie, the fold-down seat is worse than I was imagining. Go with the built-in for sure.

[Wallflower]

lavenderblue - LOL. Yeah. I really like the idea of having an option for all the floor space in the shower, that's the enticement. But the more I think about it, I think it's a reaction *against* what I have now, which is a 2.5-ft by 3-ft shower stall. You can't get a smaller shower stall.

[deadwing]

This isn't something I've looked into, but are there any concerns about a built in bench staying damp/not draining well? I'd also have concerns about the longevity of hinges with regular exposure to water in a fold-down model...

[wildrice]

I think a bench would look a lot nicer. That picture looks like an old person's house, lol. Which is fine if you are an old person or someone old trying to buy a house, but in case you ever end up wanting or needing to sell I would think a bench would be more enticing.

[gummybear]

The fold down reminds me of the gym or hospital which is not the vibe I’d strive for in my home. I like a built in bench!

[noodleoo]

If you have space for the built in bench, I'd do that. But if it will make the shower tight now, why not just buy a bench to add to the shower later when you actually need it? Then you can enjoy the big shower for as long as you can.

[tiki]

If a permanent bench takes up too much space, I'd just skip it entirely for now and add a portable bench when it's needed.

[cville]

Lady. That stool says "retrofit after a hip injury" not "thoughtful design choice."

We have a bench in our shower it's great. I use it now to shave my legs. Ha.

[penguingrrl]

I would either do a built in bench or nothing. When I broke my foot a few years ago I was able to get a chair to use in the shower that would work if we needed a bench, so I would do that if/when needed over something with hinges that risk rusting out and breaking before I even need it.

[tiki]

Jul 2, 2024 8:19:07 GMT -5 cville said:

Lady. That stool says "retrofit after a hip injury" not "thoughtful design choice."

We have a bench in our shower it's great. I use it now to shave my legs. Ha.

Ohh right. How do people with only a stand-up shower and no bench shave? This might revise my prior answer to built-in bench.

[wanderingback]

Jul 2, 2024 8:22:24 GMT -5 tiki said:

Jul 2, 2024 8:19:07 GMT -5 cville said:

Lady. That stool says "retrofit after a hip injury" not "thoughtful design choice."

We have a bench in our shower it's great. I use it now to shave my legs. Ha.

Ohh right. How do people with only a stand-up shower and no bench shave? This might revise my prior answer to built-in bench.

I don’t shave anymore but when I did I just bent over. I’ve never had a bench in my shower.

[heygrey]

Jul 2, 2024 8:18:37 GMT -5 tiki said:

If a permanent bench takes up too much space, I'd just skip it entirely for now and add a portable bench when it's needed.

This is my plan. As we renovate our bathrooms we are including details to allow us to age in place, like extra blocking behind the drywall so we can install grab bars in the future. Our shower is tiny and I don’t want a bench right now so I’m not going to include one. There are plenty of chairs and stools to fit a variety of shower and bath sizes that I can purchase when we need one.

[livinitup]

I have a corner built in bench in my standing shower. I use it for bottles and shaving my legs. It does pitch and stays clean/dry. It’s not big enough to sit on.

A built in bench **may** be suitable for seating as necessary for aging. Or may not. It seems like a small window of time where you will have both the strength to walk into a shower and the need to sit down. What if you would benefit from rolling into the shower? (I’m sorry if that is weirdly specific).

Looking down the road, more than anything, my mother needs hand rails for balance and height for sitting. We replaced the toilet in her bathroom (it’s higher now) so it’s easier to stand from a sitting position (oddly, she can go down easily, it’s getting back up that’s hard). Plus, strong hand rails around the toilet so she can pull. This was the result of a minor accident, not just old age. My dad does not need supports yet.

All that to say, sure, get a bench, but please consider hand rails and side/back support, too. Or really any improvements to prevent slips/falls. I was pleasantly surprised that there are resources and easy recommendations for homes.

[circa1978]

Built in for sure. I have showered in bathrooms that have it and just use it to shave my legs. It doesn't scream old.

[shauni27]

Jul 2, 2024 8:22:24 GMT -5 tiki said:

Jul 2, 2024 8:19:07 GMT -5 cville said:

Lady. That stool says "retrofit after a hip injury" not "thoughtful design choice."

We have a bench in our shower it's great. I use it now to shave my legs. Ha.

Ohh right. How do people with only a stand-up shower and no bench shave? This might revise my prior answer to built-in bench.

since buying homes, I have always had shower stalls with no bench and I have to prop my leg up on the wall to shave. I am a pro at it now, but when I was nine months pregnant I would go shower in the guest bathroom with a full tub and bench lol.

[shauni27]

The one thing I would caution with a bench is to make sure it is in direct water path if it will be used for seated showers, make sure you can reach the handles for the water and make sure it is where you can access soaps and shampoos. Many times I see a bench and it is the opposite end of the shower from the water and I always think "this will not help my elderly mom when she needs to get in here and sit down. She cannot control anything and will need to keep getting up!"

[donutsmakemegonuts]

I think the fold down seat would be hard to keep clean. A bench would be nice and even better would be to make sure that the shower was wide enough to fit a shower chair in if necessary. That way you essentially could be closer to the water and have somewhere to set things down on if needed.

[laterz]

I hate our bench bc it takes up too much space. I'd buy a teak stool if i needed it.

[lessel]

If there's room, I vote built-in bench. If no room, then nothing. Add a chair later if/when you need it.

I would add a corner built-in foot rest for shaving.

And, if such a thing exists, a stylish/decorative shower grab bar. I feel like that might be more useful in terms of aging-in-place considerations.

[mcsangel2]

I've been thinking about the same thing recently! I finally decided, our shower stall is too small for a permanent bench, and even a fold up seat will be in the way. So when the time comes I will just get a (hopefully folding) shower chair I can remove when not in use. Definitely yes on grab bars.

[SusanBAnthony]

I think the tiled-in benches are in the wrong places. So are the fold down benches.

I would get a free standing bench when you actually need it and focus on tons of grab bars instead.

[zizibet]

We have a bench and it's great, honestly. I do have to wipe the top dry occasionally, but it's not that bad. This is a new build, and we had it done as my SO has mobility issues, and I prefer the bench aesthetically to the folding chair, and i think the bench is easier to clean. It's long enough for storage too. You made need at some point to add grab bars too, so think about that also.

[fn2187]

Teak bench for sure. Removable.

I opted for the teak bench and it looks fantastic. It’s easily removable for cleaning and we often take it out and use it as a bathroom bench. I love the versatility.

[lostrn]

Jul 2, 2024 8:22:24 GMT -5 tiki said:

Jul 2, 2024 8:19:07 GMT -5 cville said:

Lady. That stool says "retrofit after a hip injury" not "thoughtful design choice."

We have a bench in our shower it's great. I use it now to shave my legs. Ha.

Ohh right. How do people with only a stand-up shower and no bench shave? This might revise my prior answer to built-in bench.

We have little built in/cutout kind of things to hold soap, shampoo, etc, I just prop my foot up on there.

[bittybomb]

Jul 2, 2024 7:55:53 GMT -5 Wallflower said:

lavenderblue - LOL. Yeah. I really like the idea of having an option for all the floor space in the shower, that's the enticement. But the more I think about it, I think it's a reaction *against* what I have now, which is a 2.5-ft by 3-ft shower stall. You can't get a smaller shower stall.

I don't know how small my master shower is but its ridiculously small, and my inclination is to go for the bench simply so I would have a place to put each leg while shaving.  I'm not sure how much longer my current situation will last, lol.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I have a teak stool in my shower because there is no ledge or seat of any kind, and I need something to put my leg up on when I'm shaving. The top part of the teak stool stays clean easily, but it gets SUPER gross underneath. My plan when we redo our primary bath is to have a built-in shelf or seat that is solid and easy to clean.

[Wallflower]

Thanks for all the responses, folks! They're definitely solidifying that I want the bench. I have a folding seat already and while it's useful, it can also be unstable and you have to plan to use it/get it set up before you're even in the shower.

The position of the bench vs. the shower controls is a really good point, though. I don't know that there's a great solution, but it's something I want to think about.

As for the grab bars, they're already in the plan. I'm even doing a corner shelf unit that is also a grab bar. I'm in my late 50s and it's also possible that my 92-year-old mother may have to move in with me, so I'm going all-in with the safety.