Shower With A Seat Options | More Ability
Published: 29 October 2020 · Last Updated: 20 October 2025
If you’re beginning to struggle with balance, mobility, or comfort when bathing, a shower with a seat can provide the ideal solution. From simple additions to fully integrated designs, a sit-down shower helps you maintain independence, reduce strain, and improve safety in your bathroom.
In this updated content article, we explore:
> Who benefits from a shower with a seat
> Different types of shower seat options
> How to choose the right sit-down shower
> Key features to look out for
> The latest sit in shower designs
> Walk in and level access showers with built-in seating
Who Benefits From a Shower With a Seat?
A shower with a seat can be helpful for a wide range of people, including:
> Elderly individuals who may feel less stable when standing for long periods.
> People with mobility issues such as arthritis, balance difficulties, or muscle weakness.
> Those recovering from injuries or surgery, who need a safer way to bathe while they regain strength.
> Multi-generational households, where flexibility is important for users of all ages and abilities.
By making bathing easier and safer, sit down showers support independence and peace of mind for both users and their families.
Different Types of Shower With Seat Options
There are many types of showers with built in seats available, each with their own benefits. When planning your bathroom, consider which option will best meet your mobility needs and style preferences.
Fixed Shower Seats
A fixed shower with seat built in is ideal for users with higher mobility needs. These models often include padded seats, armrests, and weight-bearing legs, making them durable and supportive.
Fold Away Shower Seats
Fold-away built in shower seats are perfect for shared bathrooms. They fold flat against the wall when not in use, saving space while still providing reliable support when needed.
Portable Shower Seats
Lightweight and affordable, portable seats can be placed inside most showers. While flexible, they lack the stability of showers with built in seats and may not be suitable for long-term use.
Corner Shower Seats
Corner seats maximise available space and provide a discreet option that still offers support.
Built In Shower Benches
For a more luxurious option, a built-in shower bench (such as a bespoke Corian bench) allows users to comfortably sit in the shower while maintaining a stylish, seamless look. A shower with seating area can combine practicality with contemporary design.
Choosing a Sit-Down Shower For Your Needs
Selecting the right sit-down shower involves more than just choosing a seat type. Key considerations include:
> Weight capacity – ensure the seat can safely support the user. Fixed or bench designs often carry higher capacities than portable seats.
> Future-proofing – think long-term. A fold-away or built in shower bench may suit changing needs better than a temporary solution.
> Shower dimensions – measure carefully to ensure there’s enough room for both seating and movement.
> Material choice – options such as Corian benches are durable, waterproof, and stylish, whereas plastic or metal seats may be more functional.
> Style – from minimalist fold-away seats to integrated benches, there are options to suit both modern and traditional bathrooms.
Features to Look for in a Shower With a Seat
When investing in a shower with seat built in, it’s important to look at the finer details that affect usability and comfort:
> Drainage – ensure water runs away quickly to avoid pooling around the seating area.
> Adjustability – some models allow for height adjustments to suit different users.
> Grab bar integration – a seat combined with grab rails improves safety when transferring in and out of the chair.
> Comfort – padded surfaces, curved edges, or warm-touch materials make seats more comfortable, while temperature-safe fittings protect against burns
Sit In Shower Designs
A sit in shower combines the ease of walk-in access with the practicality of seating. These designs are especially valuable for people who want the reassurance of a seat but still want a stylish, open showering space.
Options range from corner level access shower cubicles with fold-away seats to full mobility wet rooms and accessible wet floor showers built in benches. Each design can be tailored to meet your safety and mobility requirements.
Walk In Showers With a Seat
Walk-in showers with seat options are one of the most popular choices for those seeking safer bathing. With wide entry access, low or level thresholds, and stylish designs, these showers are both practical and modern.
A walk-in shower with a built-in seat combines the independence of easy entry with the reassurance of a secure seating area, making it a versatile choice for people of all ages.
View our range of accessible walk-in showers
Level Access Showers With a Seat
A level access shower with a seat removes all steps or thresholds, providing completely barrier-free entry. This design is ideal for wheelchair users or those with carers, as the seamless floor makes access safer and simpler.
Seats can be fixed, fold-away, or designed as part of a wider shower with seating area, ensuring maximum comfort while meeting accessibility standards.
See our mobility level access showers options.
Wet Rooms With a Seat
A mobility wet room with a seat is the ultimate solution for safe and practical showering. By removing the need for a tray or cubicle, the entire space becomes an open-plan shower area with level, waterproof flooring. This creates maximum accessibility for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Adding a built-in bench or fold-away shower seat within a wet room gives you the freedom to sit and shower comfortably, while still enjoying a spacious, modern design. Wet rooms are also easy to clean and maintain thanks to anti-slip vinyl flooring and wall panelling.
Discover our mobility wet room designs
Walk In Shower With a Seat Case Studies
Every walk-in shower with a seat adaptation project we design and fit as part of our fully project managed service is centred around providing the most suitable bathing solution to meet the individual needs and requirements of the person using it.
Our case studies share real client projects, showcasing the thoughtful designs and clever shower adaptations that have helped improve the day-to-day life of end users, their friends and their family alike.
To read more, visit our dedicated section for customer case studies.
How More Ability Can Help
More Ability, part of the Passmore Group, is Yorkshire’s only 5* rated bathroom adaptation company. Specialising in accessible, mobility and disabled bathroom solutions, we are extremely proud of the exceptional service we continuously deliver — from design right through to installation and aftercare.
Whether you want a future-proofed solution or require a more specialist adaptation in order to remain independent at home, More Ability can help create a safe space to bathe for you or your loved ones.
You can either book a free design appointment online, visit one of our showrooms, or call to speak to a friendly member of our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a seat in a shower a good idea?
Yes. A shower with a seat improves safety and comfort, particularly for people with limited mobility, balance issues, or those recovering from surgery. It allows users to bathe with greater independence while reducing the risk of slips and falls.
What is the best shower chair for the elderly?
For older adults, a fold-away shower seat is often the best choice as it provides stability while in use and folds flat when not needed. For maximum support, a built-in shower bench offers durability and comfort.
Where is the best place to put a shower seat?
The seat should be positioned where the user can comfortably sit under the showerhead, with access to grab rails for support. In smaller bathrooms, a corner seat or fold-away design can help save space while still offering safety.
Can you add a shower seat to an existing shower?
Yes. Depending on your shower type, options include portable shower chairs, wall-mounted fold-away seats, or custom-fitted built in shower seats. A professional installation ensures the seat is safely secured to the wall and positioned at the correct height.
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