Bathrooms can be a complicated place when someone happens to have a difficult time getting in/out of a shower or bathtub. Bathrooms are a common place for falls, and often, people stop doing bathing tasks in their tub or shower because it’s not safe for them.
While that topic is important to explore further, in this article, I specifically want to discuss the design of the shower and how manufacturers and designers often miss the mark when adding that seat—which, in turn, makes it difficult to add other specialty seats to that same space. You may be thinking, “But Sarah, people need seats!” Yes, they do, but let me explain why I don’t prefer these built-in options.
The Mindset
Many people get excited when they see a built-in seat in a shower. For reference, I’m talking about all-in-one units where the seat is built-in. The picture below is just a screenshot from my quick Google search – “shower with built-in seat.” I have nothing against these companies – I’m talking about the function of the design.
The style will always have a seat at a permanent height and in a permanent location. They are typically made in the same material as the surrounding shower. People also do this with a tile shower too.
The general mindset is, “Oh, if something happens and I need to sit down on something in the shower, I’ll be ready.”
The reality
Everyone has different abilities, and not everyone can easily sit on those built-in seats and get up from them, even with a grab bar. Additionally, multiple people often use the same shower, and they might have different abilities or need different things for safety. If you don’t have an impairment now, that seat might not help you in the future, depending on your situation.
Think about all the different types of people out there. A seat height built into a shower can’t easily match every body type and ability.
Is the seat wide enough for all bottoms?
Is it tall or short enough for people’s legs to rest on the floor comfortably?
Most of the material is slick and hard. When you’re in the shower, it’s wet and soapy, and I’ve heard many a story of people sliding right off those built-in seats – especially if they lack strength or sensation in parts of their trunk, lower body, or arms. I often recommend putting a towel on them to at least lessen the slick surface. I’ve heard of people sliding off recommended plastic shower seats, too!
Hard seats are not great for bottoms with little padding, especially if seated in a shower for a while. This could cause unwanted pressure sores that cause even more problems!
These built-in seats are often placed in the far back of the shower – out of reach from the controls. If someone can’t stand up safely to reach the adjustable shower head or the water controls, the seat is basically a place to sit so someone else can help them reach everything. How does that promote independence?
Below is a screenshot from Google of my original search for “built-in shower seats.” Look how far away she is from the controls! And what happens if she drops that hose to wash her hair? It’s left hanging all the way at the front of the shower.
If you have one of these built-in seats in your shower and realize it’s not safe for your needs and your occupational therapist has recommended something else, like this, for example…
… then the only place to put it is in front of the built-in seat, which, depending on the dimensions of the shower – might not give the person enough room to get their seat and their body into the shower. Invision putting an additional seat in front of the one this lady is sitting on.
And this one, pictured below… is an entirely different configuration with two seats, and you have to figure out how to put the other seat in there and get through the door, which automatically becomes smaller once you get the seat in there – AND if it’s s shower bench that has legs that sit on the outside of the shower – you can’t close the door causing water to be all over the floor.
Another soapbox of mine is the location of seats like the one pictured below. You have to be able to stand up and walk to get to the seat. It would be very difficult for someone who can’t use their legs to even slide over to that seat directly from their wheelchair.
The same is true for this one. It is only usable if someone can step over that ledge, but if they have to slide over from a wheelchair without standing up, there are many barriers to get around the door and the walls. This bench has a nice little shelf for all the shampoo and other bathing supplies. I’ll give them that.
What’s my solution? When considering a shower remodel, don’t add a built-in seat.
Here’s my reasoning: Multiple people may use the same shower in your household. Why not make the shower flexible for them all? Additionally, if your needs change and you need a different type of seat (like a roll-in shower chair), the design allows for that. And if you sell the house down the road, they won’t have to tear out what you have in there.
If you can start from scratch, there are many other details to consider, including the placement of many things (even the location of water controls close to the seat and drains).
You can also choose to put blocking around the shower walls during a build or remodel between the studs so a seat can be installed anywhere you want it in the future.
There are also fantastic folding seats that are padded and fold out of the way when not in use.
Any seat you decide to mount on the wall can be at the height of your preference and needs. If you don’t want to go that route and just want to place a different seat or bench in the shower, you have room to do that.
AND if your therapist has chosen a roll-in shower chair for you – that no-step entrance allows you to roll in, and because there’s no built-in seat – there’s extra floor space to spare to get in without hitting everything.
The takeaway is that not all seats are one-size-fits-all and end up being a barrier when installed without considering how people will use them. Take the time to think about how all the people in your household will use the shower and if their needs will change. Ask an OT, don’t settle for something you think might work, and realize that the safety feature isn’t as functional as you thought.
This may also be a little controversial, but some people like a small shower, so there is less room to fall forward. I know, I know! We often think bigger is better – but not for everyone.
Accessibility and UD can be tricky, but it’s helpful to consider all the pieces of the puzzle to make the best decision for your family or your client that’s accessible and flexible.
Leave a Reply