Why Every Bathroom Can Benefit From a Shower Seat

A shower seat may not be the first item people think about when they’re refreshing or renovating their bathroom. It’s a piece of equipment usually reserved — at least in many people’s minds — for aging relatives and people recovering from an illness or injury. However, a seat or bench is a versatile addition to the shower or tub that makes the space more relaxing and safer for everyone who uses it.

In fact, a shower seat may be one of those items that you never knew you needed until you have one. That’s why it’s helpful to take a look at the different types of shower seats available and why they’re such useful accessories to have.

Types of Shower Seats

Shower seats come in many different shapes and styles, from removable stools and chairs to built-in benches and seats. The best type of shower seat for the bathroom depends on several factors, like the amount of space available, the style of the shower or tub, and the needs of the people using it. The following list highlights the key differences between different styles and their benefits.

Built-In

A built-in shower seat is a fixed bench or seat, typically framed as part of the shower and usually constructed at the same time as the shower. They tend to be more common in free-standing showers that don’t have a bathtub with a rim to sit on. This type of shower seat is sturdy and seamlessly blends in with the rest of the shower.

Folding

These seats mount to the wall of the shower and have hinges that make the seat foldable movable. Since they’re mounted to the wall, you don’t have the option to remove them when you don’t need them. However, this space-saving option works well in small showers and tubs because they fold up or down when not in use.

Shower Chair

A shower chair looks like a regular chair with a back and arms, but the surface has holes to let water drain. The arms of the chair may double as a grab bar to help someone sit down and stand up. Shower chairs tend to be lightweight and portable, so they can come out of the shower when they’re not being used.

Solid Surface Shower Seat

This type of shower seat is a single unit without grout lines or seams, which makes them easy to clean and less likely to crack. These seats come in several sizes made to fit inside most showers and tubs, and they may be lightweight enough to remove from the space as needed.

Transitional Shower Seat

The design of a transitional shower seat makes it ideal for someone who uses a wheelchair or walker to get around. It stretches across a bathtub and extends over the rim to let the person sit down before sliding over and positioning themselves in the tub. This type of shower seat tends to be more common in homes with aging family members or those with limited mobility.

Benefits of Installing a Shower Seat

Although people tend to associate shower seats with elderly and mobility-challenged individuals, they’re actually a useful accessory to have in the bathroom. You can use it as a seat for yourself while you bathe, and it’s a convenient place to sit when you’re bathing a child or a pet. The benefits of a shower seat span age and ability levels.

Shower Seats Increase Safety in the Bathroom

The floor of a shower and the bottom of a bathtub can be a slippery place, especially when soapy water collects there. No one likes to fall in the shower, but moving around in the water and maneuvering to reach all body parts can be dangerous, even for those who don’t have balance issues. The shower seat offers a place to sit while bathing to reduce the chance of an untimely slip that can lead to a serious injury.

Aging People Are Safer in the Bathtub When They Have a Shower Seat

As people get older, they sometimes lose muscle mass and experience blood pressure changes that affect their balance. Falling on a hard surface like a shower floor can lead to a dangerous bone fracture. Using a shower seat when they bathe is safer because it minimizes the risk of a fall. This added layer of safety can also increase their independence and extend the length of time they can live in their home.

A Shower Seat Is Convenient for Everyone in the Family

No matter how old or young you are, having access to a shower seat is convenient. It’s a great place to rest your leg when you’re shaving or to sit when you give yourself a foot scrub or let a conditioning treatment do its work in the shower. Parents may also find it a helpful spot to let young children sit so they’re not running around the bathroom unsupervised.

Shower Seats Provide More Storage Space in the Bathroom

A shower seat can add some much-needed storage space, especially in a bathroom with a free-standing shower without a built-in storage shelf or bathtub rim. The seat can double as a spot to gather toiletries and other bathing supplies in a basket that sits on the top of the seat or in the space beneath it. This keeps them close at hand and not scattered on the shower floor.

A Shower Seat Can Help Create a Home Spa

Installing a shower seat in a shower helps create the ambiance of a home spa. Turn on the hot water to create steam, and add some essential oils to fill the space with a favorite fragrance. The shower seat is the perfect spot to relax, take some deep breaths, and escape for a moment or two while listening to the sounds of the water.

Choosing a Shower Seat From Kingston Brass

Kingston Brass carries a variety of shower seats, including wall-mounted folding seats and solid surface seats. Choose from flat and arched surfaces designed to safely hold you in place or padded seats for extra comfort. The assortment of colors, from wood grain and matte black to polished stainless steel and brushed nickel, makes it easy to coordinate the seat with the rest of the room’s décor. The result is an inviting room that’s as safe as it is beautiful.