If you’re like me, you have gone to great lengths to make your shower as relaxing as possible. While fancy shower heads and impeccable design certainly do a lot to make the space more luxurious, the job is not done without a quality bench!
The best shower bench that money can buy will take your shower to a new level. Not only can you sit back and enjoy the experience, but they serve several practical purposes, too. They’re great for storage, provide a bit of stability in the slippery environment, and can improve the safety of your shower. What’s not to like?
There’s no shortage of good shower benches on the market these days. Here are some of our favorites. Check out our buying guide below for some important tips on how to find the best shower bench for your family.
In This Article We'll Discuss
The Benefits of Having a Shower Bench
Shower benches have a lot to offer in terms of style and functionality. Whether you have a simple alcove shower or a custom-made shower with tons of room, a shower bench will enhance the space and provide you with tons of benefits. Here are some of the most notable.
Create That Spa-Like Experience
First and foremost, shower benches just add a nice touch of luxury to your bathroom. Take a look at any modern design magazine. When you see those decked-out bathrooms with all the bells and whistles, there’s always a bench in the shower!
That’s because these simple accessories give you the chance to truly enjoy your shower stall. Instead of viewing your shower as nothing more than a utilitarian space for grooming, why not treat it like a place for relaxation? Pair if with a nice rainfall showerhead and you have a serene place to wake up and get ready in the morning.
These days, more and more homeowners are putting money into their bathrooms. Updating a bathroom offers up a great return on your investment. It can ultimately improve your home’s value in the long run. Considering that your shower is the largest fixture in your bathroom, it makes sense to spruce it up. While a shower bench may not seem like it would make a huge difference, you’d be surprised by how one addition can change the space for the better. Best of all, you don’t have to do any major renovations.
More Comfort as You Clean
Another big reason to invest in a shower bench is the convenience and comfort it offers. It’s a practical piece of furniture that makes a huge difference on those days when you really need it.
Say, for example, that you’re trying to unwind after a long day of work. Sitting on a bench in the shower can help alleviate those sore muscles and give you that extra touch of comfort you need to relax.
What about when you’re doing those mundane shower tasks like cleaning your feet or shaving your legs? Instead of trying to get into those awkward positions to get the job done, just take a seat!
Stability and Safety
Did you know that over 235,000 people get injured in their bathroom every single year? Roughly a third of those injuries occur in the bath or shower! Showers can be quite hazardous. You have smooth slippery surfaces and water to contend with. When you throw in soap, you have a recipe for disaster.
Seniors are at the highest risk for injury. Slip and fall accidents are quite common in the bathroom. Raised shower edges and tall tub walls make it difficult for people to get in and out. Even kids are susceptible to injuries. No matter how big or well-designed the shower is, there’s always a chance of falling when you’re moving around in there.
A shower bench can provide that stability you need to stay safe. It’s a great investment for multi-generational households. However, everyone can benefit from the safety they offer. Instead of grabbing the shower curtain or trying to get some traction on the walls, you can use the stable surface of a bench to get your footing.
Those who are at risk of falling the most can rely on a bench to reduce their chances of falling altogether. just position the bench in the path of your shower head and you can get clean from the seated position.
More Storage Options
Finally, shower benches offer some usable storage space. Many models have small shelves underneath the seat for all your shower essentials.
Many showers these days are devoid of storage space. Unfortunately, it’s far too common to see homeowners sacrifice practicality for the sake of achieving that modern look.
Installing permanent storage solutions can be pretty costly, too. A custom shower shelf or niche can cost upwards of $300 to install. The price an go up even more if you need to perform some renovations to make room. Shower niches, while effective, aren’t the easiest things to install.
A bench can solve all of those storage issues simply and cost-effectively. They keep those bottles out of sight while ensuring that they’re always within reach.
How to Choose the Best Shower Bench
Before you go out and purchase the first shower bench you see, there are a few things to consider. Because every shower is different, you need to ensure that your new bench will work with the space without any issues. Plus, there are some care and maintenance requirements to think about.
Size and Shape
The size and shape of your shower will dictate what type of bench will work best. Many benches are specifically designed to work with standard shower dimensions, which are about 36 inches deep by 42 inches long. The bench should be slightly smaller than that to accommodate for the sides.
If you don’t have a traditional shower, you may need to look for unique shapes. Corner benches are a good option for compact showers or those without enough room to fit a longer bench.
Materials
You have several options when it comes to material. If you’re looking for a natural appearance, you can get wood. Teak is a nice choice. It’s naturally resistant to moisture and holds up pretty well over time. The material can develop a nice patina as well.
The only downside of using a wooden material like teak is that you will need to maintain it to prevent premature damage. Annual sanding and an application of teak oil is a must.
Another option is bamboo. This eco-friendly material is very tough and is used regularly in high-moisture environments. Like teak, it does require regular upkeep to stay in good condition.
When comparing the two most-used kinds of wood, teak is often considered to be the most durable. While they both require regular upkeep, teak has natural oils and resins that do a great job of protecting the material from moisture.
If you want a low-maintenance solution, metal and plastic benches are available as well. They don’t have the same appeal as wooden benches when it comes to style. However, the only thing you need to do is clean off soap scum and mildew. The metal components of the bench are susceptible to oxidation, so make sure that you stay vigilant about cleaning.
Height
You can find benches in a range of heights. Some can even be adjusted to work for taller folks. As a good rule of thumb, I recommend getting something that’s ADA-compliant.
ADA-compliant height means that the top of the bench is at least 17 inches off the floor of the shower. To stay compliant, it must be no taller than 19 inches.
This is a good height that’s comfortable for most. It reduces strain for seniors and takes some pressure off the back and legs.
Weight Capacity
Like height, it’s important to get a bench that can support everyone who is going to use it. Pay close attention to a bench’s weight capacity and compare it to the heaviest user. The good news is that most benches are built to provide far more support than you need. You should have no problem finding benches that can withstand several hundred pounds without breaking a sweat
Style
Finally, make sure to choose a bench that matches your decor! Benches come in a wide variety of designs. You can find sleek and minimalist benches to match the clean lines of your bathroom. Or, you can choose something a bit more unique to create a nice accent. The choice is yours!
5 of the Best Shower Benches
AquaTeak Patented 18″ Sumba Teak Shower Bench
From AquaTeak is this beautifully designed shower stool. It’s made out of sustainably harvested teak. Each piece is solid wood. There’s no veneer or cheaper wood pulp inside, so you can rest easy knowing that this piece is built to last.
The manufacturers built the bench to take care of water strategically. Not only is it naturally resistant to water damage, but there are slats for water to fall through. Even the top is contoured to prevent pooling.
Below the seat, you’ll find a sizable shelf for keeping all the essentials within reach. Like the top of the bench, it has thin slat opening to let water flow through.
The bottom of the bench has leveling feet. They’re made out of rubber for added stability and can be adjusted to match the slope of your shower. The rest of the hardware used on the bench is stainless steel. It’s tough and resistant to corrosion, which is a nice plus.
Pros:
- Made out of solid teak
- Leveling rubber feet
- Naturally water-resistant
- 250-pound weight capacity
- Curved for comfort
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Not the easiest to put together
Bambusi Shower Bench
Want something with a traditional look? Check out this bench from Bambusi. At first glance, you would never know that this piece of furniture is made for the shower. It has tapered legs and a shape that’s reminiscent of a dining room chair rather than a shower bench.
However, the piece is capable of withstanding the rigors of a wet shower. It’s made out of bamboo and has strategic water slats to prevent pooling. The material is resistant to water and microbial growth. This helps to keep the bench in good shape for much longer.
This bench will fit most standard showers. It’s about 19 inches long and 10 inches deep. It doesn’t have any height adjustment options available. However, it does rise to about 18 inches, which makes it comfortable for anyone to use.
Pros:
- Measures about 19 inches wide
- Made out of durable bamboo
- Can be assembled with no tools
- Durable metal hardware
- ADA-compliant height
- Water slats
Cons:
- No leveling feet
- Shelf is on the smaller side
- Doesn’t have the smoothest finish
Zhuoyue Corner Shower Bench
This corner bench is a great option for smaller showers. At only 15.8 inches deep, the bench is quite compact. Yet, it doesn’t sacrifice in any other area. It still has a sizable bench that you can rest on. Despite its small footprint, the bench is capable of supporting up to 250 pounds without any issues.
This piece is made out of bamboo. It comes with durable metal hardware, which you’ll need to use to assemble the piece before you stick it in the shower. Luckily, the assembly process is pretty straightforwards.
The bottom of the bench features rubber feet. They help to keep the piece stable even in the midst of a shower. The manufactures have included a small shelf as well. Both the seat and the shelf feature large gaps for water to run through. They’re a bit wide than the gaps you’d see on a traditional rectangular bench. Thus, they help to dry the piece rather quickly.
Pros:
- Made of bamboo
- About 17 inches tall
- Space for water to flow
- Supports up to 250 pounds
- Non-slip rubber feet
Cons:
- Might be too small for some
- Prone to bleeding adhesives
LANGRIA Bamboo Shower Bench
The Langria shower bench offers a bit more stability than some other options. It can support up to 330 pounds. The bench is less than 19 inches wide and has a comfortable height of about 18.8 inches. Langria included some cool design features to make it more comfortable and convenient to use.
First, the bench seat is contoured. Not only does this improve comfort levels as you sit, but it also promotes proper drainage. Another thing worth noting is the rounded corners. The smooth finish helps to prevent accidental bumps.
There is a lower shelf on the bottom of the bench like most products on this list. However, this bench has the added perk of side handles. Rounded rods on both ends of the bench are perfect for hanging shower gear, towels, and more.
In addition to the bamboo wood used to make up most of the bench, metal hardware and rubber feet are included. The holes for the screws are all countersunk to avoid snagging and scratching.
Pros:
- Made of bamboo
- Supports up to 330 pounds
- Convenient design features
- Rounded edges for comfort
- Contoured seat
- Rubber non-slip feet
Cons:
- Hardware is prone to rusting
- Assembly may be difficult for some
Morvat Bamboo Shower Bench and Mat
Complete your bathroom decor with this set from Morvat. In addition to a bamboo bench for the shower, you get a complementary bamboo mat. It’s the perfect mat to use outside of the shower.
The bench has a traditional design with clean lines. The legs are solid and very durable. On top, you’ll find a contoured seat. Like other benches on this list, the seat has slats to let water through. The slats on this piece are considerably wider. However, this doesn’t affect comfort or durability in any way.
One thing I like about this bench is that it’s a bit bigger than most. It’s still compact enough to fit the average shower stall. The main difference is in the depth. The bench is about a foot deep, which provides more support and comfort as you sit.
Pros:
- Made of bamboo
- Contoured seat
- Non-slip adjustable feet
- Comes with bamboo mat
- Slats for improves air and water flow
- Easy to assemble
- Deeper than most benches
Cons:
- Edges are a bit sharp
- May produce strong smell for a few weeks
Conclusion
No matter the size or style of your shower, a bench is a perfect addition. These simple pieces of furniture can make a huge difference when it comes to comfort and safety.
If we had to recommend one of our top picks, it would have to be the model from AquaTeak. It’s the clear winner of this roundup for a couple of reasons. First, it uses the most durable material! It’s the only product that’s made of teak rather than bamboo.
Another big perk is the adjustable feet. While the Bambusi and Langria models have rubber feet, they can’t be adjusted to accommodate the slope of your shower. Even when you compare the AquaTeak bench to the one from Morvat, which does have adjustable feet, AquaTeak still comes out on top. The rubber portion is thicker and more prominent. It does a fantastic job of keeping the wood off of sitting water and providing all the stability you need to stay safe.
The AquaTeak shower bench is a fantastic investment. It’s beautifully designed and made from high-quality materials. Plus, it has a good height and solid weight capacity. When you factor in the 5-year warranty, it’s a no brainer! Give it a shot and see how it can take your shower experience to a new level!