How to Choose a Shower Chair or Shower Stool
A seat in the shower makes shaving, washing your feet or simply slowing down easier. Here is how to choose between a shower chair, a shower stool, a bench and a foot rest, and what to check before you buy.
For a roomy shower, a shower chair with handles gives the widest, most stable seat. For a small shower, a compact shower stool takes less floor space. If you mostly want to shave your legs, a low foot rest is enough. Always measure the shower floor, check the seat height and choose a load capacity well above the user's weight.
Shower chair, stool, bench or foot rest?
| Type | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shower chair | A wide seat, often with handles or a backrest | Larger showers and longer, seated showers |
| Shower stool | A compact seat with no backrest | Small showers, shaving, quick storage |
| Shower bench | A longer seat, sometimes with a shelf underneath | Walk-in showers and spa-style bathrooms |
| Foot rest | A low step on the floor or the wall | Shaving your legs and washing your feet |
How to choose a chair for inside the shower
- Measure the shower floor. Note the width and depth, and the position of the door or curtain. Leave room to move around the seat.
- Check the seat height. Adjustable legs let you set the seat to a comfortable height. Low fixed stools suit shaving and small showers.
- Look at the load capacity. Every seat has a rated capacity. Choose one rated well above the heaviest user.
- Pick a material made for water. Aluminium and stainless steel don't rust, polypropylene is light and easy to clean, and treated bamboo looks warm but needs to dry between showers.
- Check grip and drainage. Rubber feet grip wet tiles, and a slatted or vented seat lets water run through instead of pooling.
Our shower chairs and stools
Shower Chair with Handles
Adjustable aluminium legs, side handles and a vented foam seat.
Shop now →
Compare every model, including compact stools and foot stools, in our shower chairs and shower stools collection.
Looking after your shower seat
- Rinse off soap after each shower and let the seat air-dry.
- Once a week, wipe the seat and legs with a mild bathroom cleaner to stop soap scum building up.
- Check that adjustable legs are locked at the same height before each use.
- Wipe standing water off bamboo and keep it in a ventilated spot.
FAQs
What is the difference between a shower chair and a shower stool?
A shower chair usually has a larger seat and may have handles or a backrest. A shower stool is more compact, with no backrest, and is easier to store.
Can I use a shower chair in a bathtub?
Yes, if the feet sit flat on the bath floor. Compare the seat's footprint with the flat base of your bath; adjustable legs help level it.
What height should a shower stool be?
For sitting, choose a seat that lets your feet rest flat on the floor with your knees at about a right angle. For shaving, a low stool or foot rest around 15 cm high is enough.
Which material lasts longest in the shower?
Aluminium and stainless steel resist rust, and polypropylene doesn't absorb water. Bamboo looks warmer but lasts longer if it can dry between showers.
