That is a very comfortable sized shower: consider adding a bench into it along the long wall (say 8" deep by 18"H) and look at incorporating built in niches.

I do not think your shower is too big. In fact, I would love to have a shower than big in my bathroom but we do not have the room.

Okay, so not cavernous? Definitely thinking about a bench, but will see how much that adds to the budget. Need to figure out placement of towel bars, hooks, etc. I was considering leaving off the glass door, but I think that would be way too cold.

Also would love ideas on shower tile options that would look good with the rest of the floor. We are planning on having the oak (special walnut stain) from the bedroom and closet continue into the bathroom.

I was at a bathroom design shop the other day and they were talking about cold spots in large showers. Being curious, I asked about it. The particular one they were talking about was for a couple. It had 2 shower heads and was 4'x7'. The difference was it had no door. I'd talk to a professional bath designer to make sure you get a setup that will make the space a pleasure rather than a chilly terror.

its never too big!!! add some shower toiletry built in shelf along ;)

We have similar size shower in our home we just built. We added a bench at far end and several wall jets. We did not use any door but have a "dry area" instead that is separated by a step. We put hooks for towels in that area. We saved wall space in main part of bath without needing to put up towel rods- and our towels are out of view and handy when we step out.

Sewsmore, I love that first one! Thank you :) I also really love the colors in the bottom one, but don't like how it works with the floor as much as the first.

Cathy, I was thinking about a dry area at the far end, but really want to have a door for warmth. We're north of Boston, and the shower will be on two exterior walls. I was hoping to be able to have hooks/towel bars inside the shower, but I think that would be trouble if the door is trapping moisture inside.

Beverly, do I need to have a second wall for support, or is that suggestion so that the bench is tucked into that space? It seems like the right place for a bench, but it's so far from the water that I think it won't be very useful for us. All I really need is a place to rest my foot for shaving, which I need to reach while standing under the water. I think Sativa's suggestion of a narrow bench along the long wall would work better for us.

Common practice is to have it on the back wall-but as you mentioned the function of that isn't as great as the aesthetic. I do long narrow benches frequently for that exact purpose of shaving legs, you don't really need to sit in the shower

I placed the seat against the back wall because $$ seems to be an issue and I thought this was the least expensive way to handle it. I have also had it installed along the side wall, but of course this shower below is not 80" long either.

I want a bench when we turn our bath tub into a big shower due to Fibromyalgia pain and Arthritis. I need to sit down at times while showering. It's something to think about for aging adults.

my shower is 48" x 96". no such thing as too big for a shower, it allows you to stand and dry off within the shower area (which is very non-skid) and come out of the shower pretty much dry instead of drippy. also allows for a freestanding teak bench which you can move under the shower if you like.

With that space available, I'd keep it and add a second shower head or jets to the shower.

oh, and we have a combined vent/heater in the ceiling... while you shower and dry off in winter it blows hot air on you, when you come out you can change it over to vent.

Ours is even bigger (was my husbands idea.) We have a rain shower head and a hand shower. I use both. I think a ceiling rain shower is needed when the space is this large.

And no, you shouldn't get cold :)

Take advantage of the large space by having no door and no glass. Less expensive and less to clean. Go with the heat lamp idea if you are worried.

No such thing as a shower that's too big! A big master shower is a real show piece and can do wonders on resale value. If you really want to go all out and you're planning on completely sealing off the shower area with glass doors, include extra shower heads or a steam feature. It's an extra luxury that people so rarely get the chance to try out and it's so worth it.

Silly question, maybe but, how do you not get wet when you turn the shower on? I too am planning my shower and wonder about the door placement.

Of those who have benches in the shower, how many of y'all use them?

We installed a smaller corner bench (mostly to prop my leg on while shaving). I finally sat on it the other day and hopped up immediately. COLD! IMO benches are a lovely idea, but in reality, a waste of space and money. The cheese may stand alone on this one though.

mine is portable, i pull it over under the spray to shave. or you know, have performances.

LOL nnigrt!

my husband has never complained.

Love it! I would do a teak bench if I had it to do over again.

I may have to go with that idea. I just need to sit sometimes when I'm in the shower due to immense pain!

it has rubber feet and is very sturdy feeling. we got ours from frontgate but now you can buy them anywhere. give it a good shake to see its well made.

Silly question, maybe but, how do you not get wet when you turn the shower on? I too am planning my shower and wonder about the door placement.

you have a hand held shower as well as a regular one.... there is a diverter which controls where the water comes out... so you have it set to hand held, which you turn to face into the back corner til the water is warm.

you'll want the hand held on the bar for times when you dont want to wash your hair, or for washing down the tile and glass.

@mrsgoyen I turn it on before I get in. It needs a few seconds to get hot.

@ascorsonelli I never sit on the bench, too hard. My bum requires a soft cushion..lol

@nnigrt that teak bench is a good idea. Ahh well, next time.

mrsgoye ...my shower is 60 X 84 and when it was designed I was concerned with the same thing. I had it built so I can reach my arm around to the inside shower wall and turn on the faucet. It isn't underneath the shower head. With on demand hot water it takes a minute to get hot water and I didn't want to get wet waiting for it.

Why not add more shower heads? Is the one you will have be removable? Since you are not sure if you will use a bench that much, I would have a movabe/removable teak bench. I would also add under floor radiant heat & go with porcelain 2'X3' textured tile instead of pulling wood into the bath.

Thank you both

Heat lamps are reasonable when installed as you are building. Love that our larger shower has this feature - a must for northern winters (even when heat in house is set at 70 degrees)

We design showers this size regularly, and I've always thought it would be drafty, although I've not heard any complaints! I would definitely keep the door for this reason. Also, for a special treat you could do electric radiant mats under the floor tile and then you'd always be comfortable, especially with it being on exterior walls.

We have a shower almost exactly this size. We have a rain shower at one end, a rail shower at the other, and the controls for both in the middle of the wall, so you can flip the shower at either (or both) ends on without being underneath either of them. Works a treat, no cold spots (we do have a shower door) and the rail shower gives flexibility and makes cleaning the shower easy.

Sandra, we are are already over budget as is, so trying to avoid things like extra plumbing, which add up quickly! And to be honest, I just don't think we would use it. Radiant floor in the shower would be amazing, and worth looking into for price. We aren't adding wood to the bathroom, it's already there. Our project involves turning an existing bedroom into a master closet and bath. I love the warmth of the wood, and being a master I'm not worried about damage. Especially if we can dry off in the shower as someone mentioned above.

Good idea about heat lamps by all those who mentioned it. I will look into it!

As for turning on the shower, I plan to have the controls on the knee wall, close to the door opening, instead of under the shower head. That should solve that problem. And depending on cost, we may go for a teak bench instead of a built-in one. Gives us more flexibility down the road, and probably cheaper.

I realize this post is now over a year old but I'm considering a somewhat large shower under a skylight and am concerned I'm building a huge eyesore that will be cold. This post was one of the few encouraging ones from those that did this successfully. Kercove I'm wondering how things turned out. Did you go with radiant heat flooring? Do you have a door? Heat lamp? And last question - does it get cold or drafty?

My shower will be 7.5 x 4.5 with a 2' entrance on one side. That's my "dry area" so the shower space really is only 5.5 x 4.5.

Hi ftagye47, funny that you asked now! We started demo today on our bathroom renovation, but the plan has changed. We decided to take over a smaller bedroom, as we aren't pursuing our whole house reno at the moment. So we will soon have a 40"x44" alcove shower with a glass panel and glass door. Sorry I can't give you a green light from my own experience...good luck with your project!