A 12 inch depth is not really enough depth, 15 " is safer. . Shower heads are adjustable, a handheld shower is invaluable

You need to show what you are doing......the bath, the shower all of it.

There are other possibilities including fold down seats.....but you need to provide the details, the dimensions and all WE can not see.

A new shower should merit new plumbing fixtures.....

Agree with Jan’s advice. When installing the hand-held have one that is mounted on an integrated vertical hand bar. Also install a horizontal hand-bar easily accessed where you will be seated. Non-slip porcelain tile is my favorite for a shower floor.

Would you consider a teak bench? They come in lots of sizes and styles (a lower shelf might be handy).

In my previous house I did built-in benches. They are too hard and cold to sit at comfortably, specially if you are a thin person.

When we built I allowed room for a bench in the showers, but this time planned for teak benches. They are more comfortable, aren't stone cold and can be moved around.

This company has them in different styles, sizes, heights and stain colors.

Do you have the space to run the seat along the side of the shower?

Think about the total composition of the shower. You'll require a seat, but likely a grab bar to get up and flexible components to deliver the water. This shower has overhead spray, wall spray and hand held spray.

The seat, mounted to the wall folds up when not in use.

The Kohler Choregraphy wall bars serve a variety of functions.

https://www.faucetdirect.com/kohler-k-97625-choreograph-24-shower-barre/p4388155?source=gg-gbav2_4388155

https://www.faucetdirect.com/search?page=search%3Abrowse&term=Kohler+Choreograph+barre&r=24&s=SCORE&p=1

https://www.faucetdirect.com/kingston-brass-kbss1916-chaise-19-x-16-wall-mount-folding-shower-seat/p4346490

Lived in a home with a built in bench. Like @chispa said too hard and cold - even for a fluffy person! I also found it a little slippery. Had to sit on a towel. I will be converting to a shower and plan on a nice teak bench so I can move it to where it will be best.

I recommend getting a hand held on a slide bar. That way you can lower the wand and aim the water at you to wash without having to try to hold onto a handheld at the same time. It's also nice for when you are standing to massage your back.

I think without any more info hard to advise but I cannot understand this as a good idea for joint issues so maybe explain that . I love my soaking tub for my old joints with some epsom salts for a nice long soak, I do agree the built in seats are not ideal so if you must my choice would be a folding teak one that can be moved to best work . How big is the shower BTW?

It's a new build. I'll consider the teak bench options.

But I'd really love it if someone could give input on my question, particularly someone who has a similar setup - if I have a 12" deep bench directly underneath the showerhead, will that get in the way of showering?

I have a built in bench in my shower and I love it. It is not to hard and I spray it with warm water beore sitting so it isn't cold either.

My bench is at the opposite end of the fixed shower head and I have a hand held shower held set a "waist level" next to the bench. I also have a hand held shower head and fixed shower head at the other end.

I find this to be incredibly functonal for me. I can sit and relax in my comfortable steamy shower. The hand held shower is great for shampooing and for rinsing hair.

A 12" deep bench is not big enough to comfortably sit on. You also have the issue of the controls being right there of you to hit your head on. And if there is a hand held, there will be a hose that can get in your way. If you make the bench deeper then you are dealing with stubbing your toe when you take a step forward.

It just isn't the right placement

Put your bench on the opposite wall and use a handheld showerhead.

No bench under a shower head. Ever. Any bench also needs to be big enough for a behind. 12" isn't. That's a leg shaving prop. A proper bench is 18" deep, at a minimum, if you are going to want to be comfortable when sitting. 24" if you want to use it to store the lineup of products and sit.

I did this configuration in my own bathroom. You'll just need to get a rainshower head on a 14" arm so the shower flow clears the bench. I also put in a sliding arm handshower to one side of the shower head. Lastly, I'd advise putting the shower valve and diverter on the side wall so you can turn on the shower without getting wet.

P.S. The bench frame is 12" but I put in a quartz bench top that overhangs by 1". It's plenty big to sit on.

Op could post her bathroom plan and we could actually help.

@Sabrina Alfin Interiors - Thanks for your input. Would you mind sharing what rainshower head and 14” arm you went with? Sounds lovely.

We went with the Kohler Purist. The shower arms are not style specific, but you can talk to your plumbling supply source to get you all the right pieces.

@Sabrina Alfin Interiors - Thanks so much for your help. Longer shower arms look like just the solution we needed. Appreciate it!

But I'd really love it if someone could give input on my question, particularly someone who has a similar setup - if I have a 12" deep bench directly underneath the showerhead, will that get in the way of showering?

Yes, it will get in the way of showering. It will also be too narrow for comfortable sitting.

I agree with those who urge you to consider a teak bench. In addition to the positives that've been presented, consider also that a bench is easy to remove, if you should ever require a more sturdy hospital chair.

Why is a 12" bench acceptable when a 12" built-in seat isn't? Your body can extend past the 12" bench on all sides, whereas the wall will impede your comfort on a 12" built-in seat.

We put a corner bench under the shower head. It is screwed into the wall (we put in blocking) and has a metal frame. It is not cold to sit on because it is plastic. Pictures of it in this thread. https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5918286/flexstone-sentrel-panels-calacatta-white-pictures#n=20

I absolutely love it! When I sit down I can aim the rain shower head to hit my lap and it is very luxurious feeling. I can also clean my feet while seated which feels nice also.

Theresa nailed it. With a separate bench you can “ arrange” yourself without a right-angle wall coming up behind; you also have a range of arm movement space for different movements while washing up.

I am renovating my shower, and I am placing the bench under the shower head. Everyone thinks I’m nuts. But in my previous house, my 92 year old father found that having the bench on the opposite wall of the faucets made it impossible for him to adjust temp once he was sitting. Also, the hand held cord, was not quite long enough. He was also able to set his soaps and things next to him, which he could not do with the curved slotted teak bench. Finally, putting the bench under the faucets does not give up valuable real estate in the shower since no one ever stands directly under the faucet. And the grab bar for entering the shower serves the bench as well. I’ll post pics when it’s done.

@eunique

Some of the issues you raise aren't for me

I have two handheld shower heads and the second one is by the bench and low so that it is easily accessible when I am sitting on the bench

My bench is a wide built in bench with plenty of room to have bottles next to me so they are convenient to use

I have a grab bar at the entrance AND a grab bar that runs the length of the shower at a height which is accesible when I sit on the bench

As for the temp it isn't really a problem especially since I have a thermostatic shower valve so the temperature remains the same and I know exactly where the lever for temperature should be in the event that it is changed. My hot water and cold water are consistent so I don't need to adjust positioning.

Teak bench or stool would be better. They can withstand water and last a long time.

@eunique, I have the same idea about putting the bench on the same wall as the shower controls! It makes so much sense to me as well. You won't lose any real estate in the shower as nobody actually stands directly underneath the shower head anyway.

I'd love to see how it turned out and to know you're experience with it.

What did you end up doing? I just built a shower with my bench under the shower head. My shower space is long and it just didn‘t make sense to me to have the bench opposite the showerhead. It would’ve been too far away from the controls and the hand sprayer. I will have my showerhead mounted on an arm long enough so that the bench isnt in the way of the shower spray when standing to shower. There is space on either side of the controls to lean back on the wall if desired. I don’t foresee having any issues with it.