Decorating Rooms Bathrooms Showers & Baths 33 Stylish and Functional Ideas for Walk-In Shower Seats Add a seat to your walk-in shower to expand your shower’s purpose. By Abby Wolner Abby Wolner Abby Wolner is a freelance writer trained in journalism through Drake University. She is a former food writer and contributor to Better Homes & Gardens. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 18, 2024 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Marty Baldwin Increase the accessibility, storage, and relaxation potential of your shower by adding a walk-in shower seat or bench. The best time to add a built-in shower bench is when building or remodeling a bathroom to ensure a water-tight seal. You'll need some construction skills, as walk-in shower seats need to support 250 pounds and may need to accommodate a slope in the floor toward a drain. To add a walk-in shower seat to an existing unit, we suggest choosing a water-resistant freestanding option, such as a teak bench or one made for the outdoors. With a designated place to sit, you'll get more enjoyment out of your shower and make your shower more accessible for years. Make your bathroom a spa-like retreat by including a few simple ideas so you can enjoy your walk-in shower seat even more. The right type of lighting and soothing paint colors will make an ordinary bathroom feel luxurious and relaxing. 36 Breathtaking Walk-In Shower Ideas 01 of 33 Space-Saving Corner Seat John Granen A corner shower seat is ideal for saving space in tight quarters. Despite being open to the rest of the bathroom, this seamless shower is just a single stall, and the corner seat provides plenty of room to sit without stealing too much standing room. 17 Doorless Shower Ideas for a Modern Bathroom Look 02 of 33 Unique Materials Anthony Masterson A custom walk-in shower seat is an opportunity to incorporate your favorite color or material, such as these wood-look tiles. The colors harmonize with the brown floor and cream-color wall tile, but using a different material distinguishes the bench from the rest of the shower and adds an interesting texture. 03 of 33 Accessible Shower Seat Anne D. Schlechter If you’re adding a walk-in shower seat to increase accessibility and safety in your shower, consider choosing an ADA-compliant design, which will have a guarantee of safety and comes with all the hardware needed for secure installation. There are many styles available, including shower seats that fold out of the way when not in use. 04 of 33 Repeated Material Choice Ryan Garvin A walk-in shower seat is an ideal area to play with tile materials. Repeat the material elsewhere in the bathroom for a cohesive look. The same concrete finish used on this corner shower bench frames the window and shower niche, making it look more intentional. 30 Stunning Shower Tile Ideas for a Standout Bathroom 05 of 33 Garden Stool Shower Seat Neil Landino Ceramic garden stools can be used as freestanding shower seats. They’re made of durable, water-safe material and are perfect for small spaces. Use one you already have, or choose one that complements your bathroom’s color scheme. 06 of 33 Integrated Shower Seat Marty Baldwin Material choice plays a big role in whether your walk-in shower seat is a focal point or a supporting character in your bathroom. Here, large-scale subway tile helps it blend into the surroundings, allowing blue glass mosaic accent tiles to shine. 07 of 33 Modern Shower Seat Design Edmund Barr Covering this shower bench in the same stone as the rest of the shower lends a minimalistic yet luxurious aesthetic. The shower niche, which almost mirrors the bench in length, height, and depth, adds to this dramatic effect. 08 of 33 Shower Seat with Contrast Tria Giovan To save money, use a more expensive stone on just the walk-in shower seat. A shower seat is a great place to splurge on a flashier stone, as you only need a small amount. The dark marble here beautifully contrasts the less expensive surrounding white subway tile. What Does the Average Bathroom Remodel Cost? Here's How to Budget 09 of 33 Deep Shower Seat Edmund Barr If you have the space, a deep shower seat can create an oasis, allowing you to fully relax after a long day. Place the showerhead near the shower seat to ensure a deeper seat still gets plenty of water. Incorporate a shower niche above the shower seating to store all your spa day essentials. 10 of 33 Complementary Materials Consider how the material of your shower bench complements the rest of the bathroom. Wood for this walk-in shower seat breaks up the soothing white pebble tile and adds to the spa-like aesthetic. With the proper structural support, a narrow shower bench can still support body weight, but it also makes a minimalist shelf for bath products. 11 of 33 Garden Bench Adam Albright Adding a built-in bench to an existing shower is not recommended, as that requires compromising the shower’s waterproof barrier. Choosing an outdoor bench that is already weatherized or water-resistant, such as a teak bench, is a good shower seat option that you can move in and out as needed. 12 of 33 Inset Shower Bench Tria Giovan An inset shower bench creates a calming retreat that utilizes blank space in your bathroom. Just be sure that the water spray of your handheld shower reaches into any nook you create for ease of cleaning and bathing. How to Choose the Right Showerhead for Your Bathroom 13 of 33 Marble Shower Bench Emily Minton-Redfield Minimize visual clutter with a walk-in shower seat. This marble-tile built-in, handily set beneath a pair of toiletry niches, takes a back seat to vivid blue tiles inset in the adjacent wall. A solid marble seat distinguishes the bench from the tiled backdrop. 14 of 33 Short Shower Bench Julie Soefer Consider the purpose of the shower bench to determine how tall the bench should be. A shorter ledge, while still accessible to a handheld showerhead, is likely used more as a storage shelf or for propping legs during shaving. 15 of 33 Wood Walk-In Shower Seat Werner Straube Repeating materials in your shower seating ties the bathroom together. This wood stool echoes the finish on the wood-paneled ceiling and vanity shelf. The wood's texture and warmth stand out against subway-tiled walls and slate floors. 16 of 33 Spa-Like Shower Bench Werner Segarra A freestanding walk-in shower seat is an opportunity to showcase your bathroom’s style. The teak shower bench used here complements the river stone tile for a Swiss spa-like aesthetic. Imagine how different a dark wood bench or colorful ceramic stool would look in the same shower. 17 of 33 Practical Walk-In Shower Seat Michael Partenio With only a small corner shelf to hold toiletries, this walk-in shower benefits from adding a teak bench. Set near the shower door, the bench conveniently holds towels and sponges. It can also serve as a seat for relaxing in the spray from a wall-mounted showerhead. 18 of 33 Portable Walk-In Shower Stools Laurie Black If you don't want to commit to a permanent seat, move sturdy stools or benches into your shower to serve as convenient catchalls for necessities—as well as seating. Moisture-resistant materials, such as teak, bamboo, plastic, and resin, will endure through years of showers. 19 of 33 Shower Storage Stool Adam Albright In showers that lack built-in storage niches, a simple stool can hold the necessary bath products within reach. Choose a durable material, such as teak, which resists water and mold growth. Tuck the stool into a corner so it doesn't take up too much standing room. 20 of 33 Extended Tub Ledge Jeff Herr Connect your walk-in shower seat to the edge of your tub for a clever use of space. This seamless shower design removes the need for a wall between the tub and shower, using a glass partition instead. How to Clean Glass Shower Doors for a Bathroom That Sparkles 21 of 33 Shower Window Seat Edmund Barr Add a window seat so you can enjoy natural light, views, and, in this case, comfortable proximity to handheld sprays. This high-style walk-in shower houses a tiled window nook with a marble-topped seat. The material ties in with black accent tiles that pop on shower walls and floors. 22 of 33 Sleek Walk-In Shower Seat Emily Followill Fashion an eye-catching walk-in shower seat with strategically positioned tiles. Shaped like an ottoman, this bench has slanted sides emphasized with wide vertical tiles and a band of narrower horizontal tiles. A solid slab of stone creates a seamless top. 23 of 33 Two-Person Shower Seat Laura Moss When opting for dual showerheads on opposite walls, center your seat on the connecting wall. This teak bench is placed between two windows to hold towels, sponges, and toiletries. Equidistant between the showerheads, the seating and storage area is accessible from both sides. We Tested 36 of the Best Showerheads, and These 11 Are the Best Styles for Your Bathroom 24 of 33 Floating Walk-In Shower Seat Werner Straube Instead of installing a weighty shower bench, opt for a sleek floating seat that doesn't clutter the interior. This design idea works particularly well for small walk-in showers. Appearing to seamlessly jut out from the rear wall, this thick marble ledge sits beneath a toiletry niche that mirrors the horizontal silhouette of the bench. 19 Swanky Bathroom Upgrades to Create Your Own Private Oasis 25 of 33 Walk-In Shower Seat Sizing John Granen Think about how much space you'll need for seating, sponges, shampoos, and lotions. Seats in walk-in showers should be at least 12 inches deep and 14 inches high. This ledge-like seat, fashioned from the same marble used on the shower walls, provides handy seating without taking up too much visual or physical space. 26 of 33 Simple Shower-Seat Design Werner Straube A built-in shower seat is generally a box protected in a waterproof membrane, backer board, and a decorative surface, such as tile. The seat occupies the back wall in this particular shower, so bathers benefit from showerheads mounted at either end. The face of this bench is clad in extra-long subway tiles that highlight the black marble seat and complement patterned floor tiles. 27 of 33 Corner Shower Seat Beth Singer Choose a corner for your walk-in shower seat. Though its form is tiny, this corner bench provides plenty of utility in a midsize shower. Adding a white seat to the gray-tiled base helps the bench show up against the gray-tiled walls. The contrasting seat ties the bench to the mosaic-tile niches and river-rock floor. 28 of 33 Convenient Walk-In Shower Seat Richard Leo Johnson When adding a walk-in shower seat, position it within arm's reach of controls and handheld sprays so you can manage both systems while seated. In this walk-in shower, operations are placed on one wall for easy access by seated bathers. The curved bench design deepens in the corner to supply a more spacious seat. Should You Replace Your Tub with a Shower? 5 Must-Know Considerations 29 of 33 L-Shaped Shower Bench Kritsada Panichgul Typically, supports for floating shower benches are entirely hidden in the wall. An upside-down L-shaped seat in this walk-in shower features supports, likely a wooden case around steel brackets, built off the wall for more of a bench look. 30 of 33 Walk-In Shower Seating Design Mark Lohman Think outside the box. This walk-in shower's glass-topped knee wall curves outward to provide space inside for a wide marble-clad bench. The partial wall also provides privacy for anyone seated on the bench and enjoying the water cascading from the showerhead mounted on the opposite wall. 31 of 33 Shower Seat Location Edward Gohlich Situate a shower seat across from at least one showerhead to sit and enjoy the spray. This walk-in shower design places a small built-in seat in a corner opposite the main showerhead, next to a handheld spray. Teal tiles meld the custom-fitted seat with the shimmering walls. 32 of 33 Tiled Walk-In Shower Bench John Bessler Create a fashionable seat that draws the eye into your walk-in shower. The interior here has a striking mix of square and mosaic tiles that repeat down the face of the built-in bench, conveniently situated below a pair of toiletry niches. A solid slab of marble includes an overhang to emphasize the seat. 33 of 33 Shower Seating Tile Werner Straube Enhance your bathroom's soothing qualities with this stylish bench idea. This walk-in shower exudes calm, thanks to its monochromatic palette, where no contrasting surfaces sound a jarring note. Just one type of tile outfits the entire shower interior and seat for a restful, spa-like design. Frequently Asked Questions Where is the best place to put a bench in the shower? That depends on how you plan to use it. If you prefer a dry place to sit, place it across the shower, away from the showerhead. If you want to access the shower controls while seated, place it perpendicular to the showerhead wall. Are walk-in showers handicap accessible? A shower with an entry that's 60 inches wide without a barrier lip is considered handicapped-accessible, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Consider what needs a disabled person may have when designing a shower, including a grab bar, the ability to reach soaps and shampoos, and a convenient towel bar or hook. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. "U.S. Access Board. "Bathing Rooms: This Guide Explains Requirements in the ADA Standards for Bathing Rooms," 2020