Layout for a 4'x6' shower! Help!

16 years ago

I'm trying to figure out a layout for our renovation... The shower will be 4' deep x 6' wide - subway tile on the walls and a basketweave on the floors. There is a small window on the right half of the back wall (the 6' one).

Due to budget, we have to do a sliding glass door in lieu of a pivoting frameless glass door (sad).

That being said, I need suggestions on how to lay out the shower!

I was thinking of a 12" deep bench running the width of the shower (the 6' wall), and shower heads at both ends. And probably a niche at each end (out of the way of supply lines of course).

My husband doesn't like the idea of the bench, prefers corner ledges over niches, and thinks a second shower head is overkill (and would require a bigger water heater). I think the shower is entirely too large to not have 2 shower heads (and could go either way on the other two items).

Any ideas for compromises on how to lay it out?

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Comments (4)

pamelah
16 years ago
intheweeds:
I can't imagine why 2 shower heads require a bigger hot water heater. To me the question is water pressure.

I say skip the long and skinny bench, put a head on one end and a hand held on the other end. That's what we are doing with our new house.

Our current shower is about the size you are building (6 ft long, 3.5' deep. It has one head at the end. When we shower together we have to swap places too much for it to be fun. One of us is soapy and cold while the other is rinsing. No fun!

If you shower separately, skip the 2nd head. The 4 x 6 will just feel luxurious.
suero
16 years ago
With a 4 x 6 shower, you'll want a handheld if for no other reason than to clean the shower. However, a handheld is great for cleaning oneself. We have one handheld and one fixed showerhead, on opposite walls. Each has its own thermostatic control because DH and I like different shower temperatures, he likes a fixed head and I like a handheld.
We skipped a built-in shower bench, opting to use a removable bench if and when we want one.
Rather than a niche, we have shower baskets, one on each side, out of the water flow. I think that they're easier to keep clean.
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User
16 years ago
I'm going to suggest that you plumb for even a THIRD shower head, and that would be an overhead rain head. I say PLUMB for it, you'll need to run the plumbing across to both ends for the hand held and the wall head anyway, so put the spot up there that you can in the future add that head. Having a facility made to accommodate two people is a big plus for a future home sale. It is the way things are going, if you get my thinking. The controls for the rain head could work off the hand held end of the shower I'm thinking.

And if the shower is 6 feet long, a good long hose is a plus. Also, include one of those BARS which lets you adjust the height.

Now the bench is a NO NO if you think about accommodating a disabled person and it is just in the way, also will harbor mildew beneath it, if a built in. A teak removable bench is much better, and it can be fairly short. Just something to rest your foot on while shaving your legs or washing your feet. You might also consider inseting a shelf tiled in the subway tiles, for shampoo and body gel or soap unless you have another spot for it.

A 4 x 6 shower is a good sized space, but when you compromise access to the full width, it gets small real quick.
inthetweeds
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all of the feedback!

I hadn't thought of doing a regular faucet head on one end and handheld on the other - good suggestion.

moccasinlanding - That is a great idea about putting in plumbing for a rainhead! The only consideration is that our ceilings are 11', so it would have to have a pretty long neck (not sure if they make those?).

You're all right about nixing the built-in bench. We found a teak one we both like and will probably do. We also found the corner mount "caddies" at Pottery Barn in lieu of niches, which we both think would work out well!

Thanks again!