What Features Should Be Part of a Walk-In Shower?

You’re weighing your options for adding extra features like a seat or storage, but you might be hesitant to add more since they raise the cost. You’re not sure whether you need them right now.

Shugarman's Bath has completed more than 6,500 tub and shower remodels. Our consultants walked customers through features during their design consultation and made recommendations based on what best fit their needs.

This article breaks down whether you should add walk-in shower features and what you can consider adding.

Table of Contents:

• What Features Are Commonly Added to a Walk-In Shower?
• Should You Add Storage to Your Walk-In Shower?
  
• Should Your Walk-In Shower Have a Seat?
• Should You Install Grab Bars In Your Walk-In Shower?
• What Other Features Are Worth Knowing About?

What Features Are Commonly Added to a Walk-In Shower?

None of these features are needed or necessary for a walk-in shower. A base, walls, and a way to close off the shower are all you need for it to work.

That said, common features you’ll see in a walk-in shower are:

• Storage, like corner shelves or a niche
• A seat
• Grab bars
• A handheld showerhead or slide bar
• Anti-slip strips

People add these features to a walk-in shower for many reasons. Some features may be recommended based on your circumstances, such as getting older, mobility issues, recovering from surgery, or following a doctor’s advice. Many homeowners also want a more comfortable, accessible shower experience.

Should You Add Storage to Your Walk-In Shower?

If you want to avoid tripping hazards or picking up shampoo bottles from the floor every time you shower, adding storage is recommended.

You can install corner shelves at different heights and locations to store soap, shampoo, razors, and anything else you need. You can also add a recessed wall niche to save space.

Should Your Walk-In Shower Have a Seat?

A shower seat is highly recommended if standing through a full shower is tiring, or if you have mobility or accessibility issues. A seat lets you sit down and use a handheld showerhead to clean off.

The best seats are built into the wall with reinforced backing to support your full body weight. You can choose from a few style options, such as a corner seat, a folding seat, a shower bench, or a custom bench. The best option depends on your shower size and personal taste.

Should You Install Grab Bars In Your Walk-In Shower?

Grab bars are highly recommended if you are older, dealing with mobility issues, have balance issues, or if you’re recovering from surgery.

A grab bar gives you something solid to hold onto if you lose your balance. A grab bar only works if it has a reinforced backing to support your full body weight. Suction cup grab bars are not a safe substitute, since suction is the only thing holding them in place.

The standard setup is 2 bars, one at the shower entry and one inside. If you have a seat, placing a grab bar next to it makes it easier to sit down and stand back up. If you're not ready for grab bars now, you can install the backing during your remodel and add the bars later.

What Other Features Are Worth Knowing About?

A handheld showerhead on a slide bar lets you adjust the height and bring the water to where you need it. This is especially useful if you use a shower seat, since you can hold the showerhead instead of repositioning your whole body.

Anti-slip strips on the shower floor add traction and lower your risk of slipping.

Which Walk-In Shower Features Are Right for You?

You might not need to add features to your walk-in shower, but some may be recommended based on your circumstances. You can always add features later if your remodeler includes the backing during your project.

Now that you know what features should be part of a walk-in shower, read our guide on how to design a bathroom for aging in place.

If you have questions about which features are right for your walk-in shower, or any other bathroom remodeling questions, contact Shugarman's Bath to speak with an expert.

The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.