You can improve your shower’s functionality and amp up its style with a freestanding or built-in stool or bench
Hinoki, or Japanese cypress, is another wood that performs well in wet environments. It’s a popular choice for shower accessories (such as the bench and bucket in this minimalist shower 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 certification to ensure the wood has been sustainably harvested.
Fold-Down
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 400 pounds and meet ADA code requirements when properly installed. This shower, in honed white Carrara marble installed by Constructa, features a wood version that’s at home in both traditional and contemporary bathrooms.
Built-In With a Solid Base
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, Alberta, by design-build firm LD&A. Pros recommend a seat height of 17 to 19 inches off the finished shower floor to meet industry standards. Depth is a matter of preference, but 12 to 21 inches is common. Seats should also be slightly angled toward the shower drain to prevent leakage and mold.
Floating
A floating seat, like this sleek wet-dry bench in a Los Angeles bathroom, can confer a lighter look than a solid-based bench. Like flip-down seats, they require substantial structural reinforcement — especially when made of softer materials like marble and wood — so professional installation is advised.
Freestanding
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 Oakland, California, bathroom by Joy Street Design.