Best depth of shower with bench?

5 years ago

I'm planning a 72x44 inch shower. There will just be one showerhead and I'm hoping to move controls to opposite side (and door as well).

I like the idea of a 12 inch bench along the back length of the wall - both for aesthetics and as a place to put my legs when shaving. I don't think we'd sit there. That would reduce floor depth of shower to 30. One contractor told me he thinks that will feel too tight - but I feel like the majority of the space needed/used is above the bench and that will still feel ample.

Any thoughts here? I have debated getting a teak bench but my husband isn't crazy about the idea.

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Comments (10)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
Here are some showers with seats. You may want the door in the middle if you place the seat at one end and use a frameless enclosure.
artemis_ma
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I bought a moveable teak bench and I love it. I seldom use it in the shower, but it is ready whenever I need to do so. It is 18 inches tall, but there are a variety of teak benches out there.

Depending on your heights, if you do a build-in, I'd certainly go taller than 12 inches, especially if you have any idea of aging in place. A foot is really hard to get up up from when your knees go south.....
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PRO
Lampert Dias Architects, Inc.
5 years ago
Teak benches are so much better than built in benches. I have been recommending them to my clients.
jslazart
5 years ago
I had a roman-style shower, where the steps down intruded into the foot space, so the shower was ~44" wide at arm height, but a couple steps narrower right by my feet, and I found it incredibly annoying. I could barely move around and was devoting way too much brain power to not stubbing my toes first thing in the morning.

You could do a floating bench (like Beverly's second picture), or even a wall mounted bar to put your foot on instead, and that would give you more foot space. Though, personally, I like the flexibility of being able to move a bench/stool around.
chispa
5 years ago
Did a built in bench in my last shower remodel and will never do one again. So hard and so cold to sit on. You also want to make sure you have a contractor that will build it properly and follow the correct waterproofing guidelines.
eld6161
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We just did one but primarily for looks. The shower is so long, and since one was there, we got used to it.
weedyacres
5 years ago
If you're just going to use it for shaving your legs, why not put it on the short side opposite the shower head? Then it won't impinge on the width, just the length.
PRO
Design Girl
5 years ago
I LOVE a bench in the shower, however, reducing the size to 30 inches is too narrow. I agree with weedyacres above - I would place it on the short 44 inch side of the shower. You've got plenty of length to do a nice bench.
Lyndee Lee
5 years ago
I don't think it will look right if the length is more than double the width. I realize the walls will be 44" but the shower floor will be too narrow unless you do a floating bench. Bench will look much better on the short wall
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
5 years ago
The best depth will depend on the size of the butt that will be sitting on it.