14 Shower Seating Ideas for Stylish Inspiration
Amp up the comfort factor and functionality in your shower with 14 stylish seating ideas from Canadian and US bathrooms
Shower seats can offer stability to people with balance or mobility issues, provide a leg up for shaving and add an extra surface for storing shampoo and other products. But they’re not just practical – shower seats can also be pretty darned stylish too. We’ve rounded up 14 images from bathrooms around the world that reflect the diverse seating options available for showers large and small, from simple stools to elaborate built-in bench seats.
2. A stylish stool
Hinoki, or Japanese cypress, is another timber that performs well in wet environments. It’s a popular choice for shower accessories (such as the bench and bucket in this minimalist shower in Vancouver, Canada designed by PlaidFox Studio) thanks to its antimicrobial and quick-drying properties as well as its refreshing scent.
As with teak, look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to ensure the wood has been sustainably harvested.
Hinoki, or Japanese cypress, is another timber that performs well in wet environments. It’s a popular choice for shower accessories (such as the bench and bucket in this minimalist shower in Vancouver, Canada designed by PlaidFox Studio) thanks to its antimicrobial and quick-drying properties as well as its refreshing scent.
As with teak, look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to ensure the wood has been sustainably harvested.
3. Double duty
Whether you’re opting for a built-in seat or a freestanding style, take a cue from this contemporary bathroom by K Design in Phoenix, USA, and install sturdy grab bars, niches, handheld nozzles and valves so they’re easy to reach from a seated position.
Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Whether you’re opting for a built-in seat or a freestanding style, take a cue from this contemporary bathroom by K Design in Phoenix, USA, and install sturdy grab bars, niches, handheld nozzles and valves so they’re easy to reach from a seated position.
Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
4. Colour coordinate
Beyond timber, you can get creative with indoor-outdoor seats made of weather-resistant materials such as glazed ceramic, plastic and resin. For example, stools like the one in this transitional San Francisco bathroom by FMSProjects can be attractive and affordable. Just note that any seat not designed specifically for use in a shower should be used with caution, especially by children and anyone with mobility issues.
Beyond timber, you can get creative with indoor-outdoor seats made of weather-resistant materials such as glazed ceramic, plastic and resin. For example, stools like the one in this transitional San Francisco bathroom by FMSProjects can be attractive and affordable. Just note that any seat not designed specifically for use in a shower should be used with caution, especially by children and anyone with mobility issues.
Fold-Down
5. Here today, folded tomorrow
Fold- or flip-down shower seats (some of which have fold-down legs as well) take up minimal space, yet some models can support more than 150 kilograms when properly installed. This San Francisco, USA, shower, in honed white Carrara marble installed by Constructa, features a timber version that’s at home in both traditional and contemporary bathrooms.
5. Here today, folded tomorrow
Fold- or flip-down shower seats (some of which have fold-down legs as well) take up minimal space, yet some models can support more than 150 kilograms when properly installed. This San Francisco, USA, shower, in honed white Carrara marble installed by Constructa, features a timber version that’s at home in both traditional and contemporary bathrooms.
Built-In With a Solid Base
6. Banquette style
Built-in benches with solid bases are a bigger commitment, but they can also make a big impact, as is the case with this quartz-topped, tile-wrapped built-in bench in Calgary, Canada, by LD&A. Professionals recommend a seat height of 470 to 480 millimetres and depth is a matter of preference, but measurements between 340 to 500 millimetres is common. Seats should also be slightly angled toward the shower drain to prevent leakage and mould.
6. Banquette style
Built-in benches with solid bases are a bigger commitment, but they can also make a big impact, as is the case with this quartz-topped, tile-wrapped built-in bench in Calgary, Canada, by LD&A. Professionals recommend a seat height of 470 to 480 millimetres and depth is a matter of preference, but measurements between 340 to 500 millimetres is common. Seats should also be slightly angled toward the shower drain to prevent leakage and mould.
7. Timber tops
Teak tops the bench in this shower in Indiana, USA, clad in ceramic tiles and designed by Susan Yeley Homes. Wood is less slippery than stone, and it’s a warmer seating surface. That said, you can avoid contact with the cold on solid-surface and tile seats by installing under-seat heating.
Teak tops the bench in this shower in Indiana, USA, clad in ceramic tiles and designed by Susan Yeley Homes. Wood is less slippery than stone, and it’s a warmer seating surface. That said, you can avoid contact with the cold on solid-surface and tile seats by installing under-seat heating.
8. The main angle
In this Phoenix, USA, bathroom by Anthony W Design, timber ‘decking’ forms the floor and bench.
Browse more marvellous bathroom designs to inspire your own
In this Phoenix, USA, bathroom by Anthony W Design, timber ‘decking’ forms the floor and bench.
Browse more marvellous bathroom designs to inspire your own
9. Curves in the right places
Why just sit when you can recline? This steam room in a Los Angeles home by The House Group features a built-in seat covered in small tiles that conform to its curvilinear shape and provide slip resistance.
For this application, pros advise using a tile that’s suitable for floors and walls and is approved for a wet location.
Why just sit when you can recline? This steam room in a Los Angeles home by The House Group features a built-in seat covered in small tiles that conform to its curvilinear shape and provide slip resistance.
For this application, pros advise using a tile that’s suitable for floors and walls and is approved for a wet location.
Floating
10. Style suspended
A floating seat, like this sleek wet-dry bench in a Los Angeles bathroom, can confer a lighter look than a solid-based bench. Similar to flip-down seats, they require substantial structural reinforcement – especially when made of softer materials such as marble and timber – so professional installation is advised.
10. Style suspended
A floating seat, like this sleek wet-dry bench in a Los Angeles bathroom, can confer a lighter look than a solid-based bench. Similar to flip-down seats, they require substantial structural reinforcement – especially when made of softer materials such as marble and timber – so professional installation is advised.
Need a pro for your home renovation project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
11. Custom contrast
This shower installed by GoodSpace High Performance Builders in Sacramento, USA, features a floating marble bench supported by hidden stainless-steel supports, principal designer Misha Lindsey says.
This shower installed by GoodSpace High Performance Builders in Sacramento, USA, features a floating marble bench supported by hidden stainless-steel supports, principal designer Misha Lindsey says.
Corner
12. Slotted in
Corner benches make good use of tight quarters and awkward angles, as you can see in this contemporary bathroom by Maureen Stevens Design in Houston, USA. The angular floating teak bench complements the black-and-white hexagonal tiles beautifully.
12. Slotted in
Corner benches make good use of tight quarters and awkward angles, as you can see in this contemporary bathroom by Maureen Stevens Design in Houston, USA. The angular floating teak bench complements the black-and-white hexagonal tiles beautifully.
13. Mad for marble
The pinnacle of form and function, note the convenient location of the niche and handheld shower in this luxe marble-clad shower in San Francisco by architect-led construction company Zack de Vito.
The pinnacle of form and function, note the convenient location of the niche and handheld shower in this luxe marble-clad shower in San Francisco by architect-led construction company Zack de Vito.
Monolithic
14. Natural wonder
This isn’t an actual category for shower seats, but you can’t deny that this 900-kilogram volcanic rock is in a class of its own. Designer Lori Dennis says it required extra steel supports to keep it from falling through the floor in this San Francisco bathroom.
Your turn
Which of these 14 seating ideas could work well in your bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
In need of more bathroom inspiration? Check out this Before & After: 3 Small Bathrooms Transformed
14. Natural wonder
This isn’t an actual category for shower seats, but you can’t deny that this 900-kilogram volcanic rock is in a class of its own. Designer Lori Dennis says it required extra steel supports to keep it from falling through the floor in this San Francisco bathroom.
Your turn
Which of these 14 seating ideas could work well in your bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
In need of more bathroom inspiration? Check out this Before & After: 3 Small Bathrooms Transformed
1. Beautiful bench seats
The most flexible and often the least expensive way to add seating to your shower is to pop in a freestanding, or standalone, stool or bench. Wood is a smart material choice because it’s light and slip-resistant, and it adds an earthy counterpoint to hard bathroom surfaces. Just be sure to select properly treated items that won’t rot or mildew when maintained, such as the slat-top teak bench seen in this bathroom in San Francisco, USA by Joy Street Design.