Your guide to shower seats

Another free-standing option for you to consider is a shower chair, which is designed with arms and a supportive back rest.

Often used by those who have more restricted mobility, a free-standing shower chair offers more all-round support. You may need to consider a free-standing shower seat with a back and arm rests if:

• You need to use the arm rests to push up when standing, or use them for support when sitting
• You need to sit back and have a rest when showering
• You like to hold onto one arm rest for support whilst washing your body or feet

A wall-mounted shower seat can also have arm rests and a back rest and you can use the same points above to help you decide which one is right for you.

Wall-fixed shower seats can also come with or without drop down supporting legs. Many people feel more secure with the added support of the legs, particularly if they are larger.

A wall-fixed seat should be fitted to a solid wall by a competent person.

Again, be sure to consider space and size when thinking of having a wall-mounted shower seat installed. A fixed seat could be right for you if you have a small cubicle or wet room area, or:

• You have other people using the shower and nowhere to store a free standing seat (fixed seat will fold up against the wall)
• You have balance difficulties and tend to lean heavily on one side of a chair when getting up and sitting down (for example after a stroke) - this could tip a free standing chair
• You have a solid wall the seat can fix to and someone competent can fit the seat to your wall for you