Whether you’re designing a new bathroom or wanting to upgrade your current shower stall, you need to consider the size of your shower bench. Adding one to your bathroom increases both comfort and accessibility while showering.
You can get a spa experience from a luxurious shower bench or use it to prevent slipping.
While there are many benefits to a shower bench, you have to make sure it fits properly in your space. There are many things to think about when it comes to the best shower bench size for your bathroom.
Ideal Shower Bench Sizes
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The standard shower bench size is anywhere from 17 to 20 inches high and 15 or 16 inches deep. This size gives you plenty of room to sit and fits easily in various styles of shower stalls.
If you’re considering installing a shower bench, there are several things to consider, such as:
- Depth
- Height
- Width
- Corner position
We’ll dive into each of these in detail below.
Different Shower Bench Sizes and Dimensions
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The short answer gives you a general idea of shower bench size, but there are various dimensions you can use depending on your space.
If you have a walk-in shower, you might want a deeper shower bench for more comfort.
Shower Bench Depth
The depth of your shower bench depends on how you intend to use it. People who are prone to slipping in the shower often prefer to sit while they bathe.
Shower benches are also a good idea if you’re getting older or have elderly people in your home.
You might only sit on your shower bench some of the time, such as when you’re exfoliating your skin or striving for a spa experience in your own home. Many people like having a bench available to prop their feet on as they shave their legs.
You might also find yourself using your shower bench as extra shelf space for your bath products.
The suggested depth of 15 or 16 inches isn’t just the standard; it’s what’s most comfortable for sitting. However, if you have a walk-in shower, you might want a deeper seat. Conversely, you might want to shave off an inch or two in a smaller stall.
If you want a deep shower bench seat but don’t have much room in your stall, consider a folding option. You can buy a folding shower bench from a home goods store, and the seat depth won’t matter as much.
When the bench isn’t in use, it tucks against the wall, so you have the full size of your shower available again.
Even if you think you’ll only use a shower bench to prop up your feet or as an additional shelf, try to look ahead. You might wish you had a deeper bench as you get older.
Having a standard-sized bench could also help when you try to sell your house.
Shower Bench Height
The typical height for a shower bench is 17 to 20 inches from the ground. This height makes it so an average person can sit while keeping their feet on the ground.
You don’t want to change the height of your shower bench too much. You must be able to keep your feet on the floor, even when seated, to prevent slipping as you get up.
If someone sits on a shower bench and their feet don’t touch the floor, they’ll have to slide or hop off of the bench when they want to stand. This motion could make them slip on the shower floor, and they could hurt themselves.
Similarly, installing your shower bench too low could also potentially harm people. They’ll have to use more force to push themselves up off the bench when they want to stand. They could overcompensate and throw themselves off balance.
Shower Bench Width
You can have total freedom when it comes to determining the width of your shower bench. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends that seats be at least 14 inches wide. Other than that, you can choose your desired width.
Ideally, you don’t want your shower bench to be so wide that it dominates your shower stall. You still want to move around freely without skirting the bench. But you also want it to be comfortable, so wider might be better.
Making a wider bench also gives you more room to store products without moving them before you sit down. The width of your shower bench also depends on your build.
The minimum width of 14 inches is for a small to average-sized person. If you’re bigger or taller, you want a larger seat. You can find seats up to 36 inches wide if you’re buying from home goods stores. If you’re building your own, you can go even wider than that.
Corner Shower Benches
Something to consider in smaller shower stalls is the option of a corner shower bench. These are smaller than standard benches. They’re usually shaped like triangles to make the most of the corners.
Depending on where you place the corner shower bench, it might be anywhere from 18 to 24 inches wide. This measurement is from one angle to the other and doesn’t reflect the actual sitting space of the bench.
Since it’s triangular, it’s wider at the front and narrows to a point in the back. You should still install a corner shower bench at the recommended height of 17 to 20 inches off the floor.
It’s worth noting that, while it’s nice to have a bench option in smaller showers, the dimensions of corner shower benches aren’t ADA-compliant.
Things to Consider
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Before choosing the right shower bench size for your bathroom, check out this list of things to consider:
- A shower that’s 36 inches by 36 inches or bigger is the best size if you’re installing a standard-sized built-in shower bench.
- If you have a small shower stall, consider getting a folding shower bench that won’t take up space when you’re not using it.
- Corner shower benches or an L-shaped design can make the most of a smaller shower stall.
- Freestanding shower benches are another option if you can’t install anything in your shower. They’re smaller than other options, but you don’t have to worry about space since they’re portable.
- You can find shower benches made of various materials, including teak, bamboo, wood, marble, cedar, and quartz.
- Teak is the top choice for shower benches because it’s durable and water-resistant. You can keep it looking new by applying teak oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You know the various dimensions of a good shower bench, but you might have lingering questions.
These short answers give you the information you need before installing a shower bench.
Should you put a bench in the shower?
Installing a shower bench is a personal choice, but it’s handy to have. You can prop your foot on it when you’re shaving your legs. If you feel unsteady on your feet, you can sit down and still get clean.
You can also use it as a shelf when you don’t need to sit down. It might be cumbersome to try and put a shower bench in a stall that isn’t very large.
If you don’t have much room in your shower but want a bench, consider modifying the dimensions outlined above. See if you can make a bench to fit in your space that is still comfortable to sit on.
How deep should the seat of a shower bench be?
Shower bench seats should be 15 to 16 inches deep. These measurements make them deep enough to sit comfortably and feel secure. Yet, it’s not so deep that you’ll struggle to get up.
Deeper seats cause you to slide back towards the shower wall, and you might struggle to find traction with the tile walls and floors.
L-shaped shower seats might be a bit narrower along the sides since they give you more space in the corner. If you’re installing this type of shower bench, make sure you follow the recommended placement guidelines.
If you plan to use the bench more as a shelf or to prop your feet up for shaving or exfoliating, then you could make it narrower. However, if you want one that you can comfortably sit on without sliding off, you want to stay close to the dimensions given above.
What is the height of a shower bench for people with disabilities?
According to the ADA’s Standards for Accessible Design, shower benches must be at the height of at least 17 inches and no higher than 19 inches. These dimensions are the height of a chair, so it’s ideal for most people, whether they’re disabled or not.
Having the bench at this height makes it easy for people to sit on it and stand up from it without losing their balance or having too far to sit. For people using wheelchairs or bath transfer benches, it’s at a natural height for ease of use.
Final Word
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There’s a lot to consider when you want to add a shower bench to your bathroom.
Make sure you know the reasons behind the ideal shower bench size to get something that’s both practical and comfortable.