Shower Chair vs. Shower Stool: How to Select?

Showering is a relaxing activity for some individuals, and performing it while sitting on a shower stool or chair boosts their comfort. Moreover, showering can be challenging for people with mobility issues. Washing feet, shampooing hair, and standing can be daunting tasks for such personnel. Shower stools and chairs can properly support individuals with these challenges. They allow users to sit firmly and shower without the hazard of slippage or falling. Irrespective of the kind of user you are, eventually, you must choose between a shower stool and a chair to fulfill your support needs.

This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of both choices. For a well-rounded perspective, we will explore the physical differences, their types, choice of material, height, applications, and other hygienic aspects. Ultimately, we will provide a step-by-step guide to selecting the best seat for showering requirements. The aim is to provide readers with every bit of detail on how seating can affect user experience so that they can find the best option for their application. Let's begin with the basics: the difference in physical appearance.

Physical Appearance: Difference in Shapes

An aesthetic comparison of shower stools and chair can also explain their significant functionalities. Users may select either based on comfort or the level of support required. Most opt for the shower stool because of its multi-purpose functionality, while users with health issues may prefer a shower chair.

Shower Stool: Versatility and Elegance

The shape of a shower stool is as simple as it can be. Its design depends on manufacturing technique, material, application, stability, and weight limits. However, all of them have a standard design that differentiates them from chairs:

● Lightweight design for maneuverability

● Easy to carry and place due to simple design

● Strong and continuous ground support or legged support

● Backless for maximizing movement

● No hand support to avoid disruption of activities

● Curved or straight seating surface

● It comes in cushioned and un-cushioned designs

● Elegant contemporary and traditional design to match interior aesthetics

The shape of a shower stool is primarily simplistic to provide maximum movability. It can be an excellent tool for people who want to access their extremities to ensure proper hygiene. A shower stool provides stable support when showering. Individuals can sit down and perform their showering task more conveniently than standing. 

Shower Chair: Support at the Cost of Space

A shower chair is a vital part of an elderly community. However, furniture is equally essential for recovering from an injury or surgery. Shower chairs aesthetically look more supportive, and here are the key aspects of their physical appearance:

● They have a back support to avoid falling. They can be straight or contour for ergonomics.

● Armrests are typical in shower chairs. They can be removable or fixed.

● Their designs can be sled-based support or four-legged support.

● The seats of a shower chair can be curved, flat, or padded.

● They can also act as commode shower chairs.

● Feet on a chair can have non-slippery rubber or suction cups to avoid slippage.

The shower chair provides more support than the shower stool. However, most users may need a simple stool for their daily activities.

Types of Shower Seatings

We can explore their types further after knowing the physical differences between a chair and a shower stool. Some shower stools have multi-purpose applications, while others simply support seating. In comparison, shower chairs are modifiable and have enhanced features.

1. Shower Stools: Compact Design

There are types of shower stools depending on their style and application. Here are some of their explanations:

● Four-legged stools are the most common type of shower stool. Because they have a small point of contact with the floor, they have anti-slippage material under the feet.

● Round Top: The shower stools have a circular seating area. It is excellent for small seating requirements.

● Flat Surface: It is the most affordable option for shower stools. They are easy to make for manufacturers and thus come at a lower cost. They also have a broad ground support for grip.

● Curved Surface: Shower stools with curved surfaces are popular in countries like Japan. They are considered an essential part of their bathroom furniture. The curve keeps the user-centered and in control of their movement.

● Corner Type: Corner-type shower stools are best for space saving. They provide adequate seating. However, the user cannot move backward or sideways on a corner stool.

● Foldable: Homes with shared bathrooms can use foldable shower stools. They provide the users with

● Adjustable Height: Shower stools have adjustable heights for a stable position and feet grounding. They are for individuals above or below average height.

● Padded: Padded or cushioned shower stools provide a soft interface that maximizes comfort and reduces pain for people with medical issues.

2. Shower Chairs: Maximum Comfort

Chairs generally provide a firm seating space where users can relax. Shower chairs offer precisely that. Individuals who struggle to maintain their posture or have undergone surgery should opt for shower chairs. Here are some of the types of shower chairs:

● Standard: A shower chair with a standard armrest, backrest, seating surface, and four-legged support is the most common type. It is similar to a regular furniture chair but has a lighter weight for portability.

● Bariatric: Individuals who require more rigid material to support their weight can opt for bariatric shower chairs. The material is rigid and heavy-duty for long-lasting performance.

● Foldable: To save space in the bathroom, users can choose foldable shower chairs. These chairs fold into small spaces and can be easily hung on the wall or placed inside a cabinet. They are usually without armrests and backrests, as their central theme is portability.

● Wall-Mount: Another type of chair specially designed for space-saving is the wall-mount shower chair. These can hook up to the wall using bolts or screws to provide a firm seating place which can also fold back towards the wall for minimalist looks.

Material: Wood, Solid Surface, and Metal Frame

There are loads of material options for shower stools and chairs. Picking the right material is a vital part of selecting the right furniture. Manufacturers may use one or a combination of materials to achieve a product. Here are some of the materials shared in shower stools and chairs:

♦ Solid Surface Material: Modernistic and Minimalistic

The most modern and recent development in shower stools is solid surface material. The solid surface material is minimalist in approach. These are available in typically black, white, grey, and beige colors. The choice of color is not widespread compared to other materials that may contain upholstery, but they are sleek in aesthetics. Usually, these are made with a single piece of material, typically a solid surface sheet.

One of the most significant advantages of using a solid surface material is hygiene. The surface is non-porous and does not allow bacteria to settle and grow. It uses a combination of crushed stone mixed with acrylics to form a clean surface. PMMA resin in high-end shower stools creates a highly stable material that does not yellow over time. The surfaces are scratch-resistant and do not chip away easily. Owing to their manufacturing process, they are available in unique shapes. The use of solid surface material in making shower chairs is rare. 

♦ Wood Material: Traditional Look

Wood is the classic and traditional material for shower stools and chairs. It can produce a variety of looks, from rustic to contemporary. High-quality woods, such as teak, are great for bathroom applications. They are highly resistant to water, and with the proper surface polishing, manufacturers can produce an elegant chair suitable for bathroom chemicals.

Wood is popular for shower stools and chairs due to its comfort. Unlike metal, wood does not feel cold to the touch. It is also more comfortable than other materials like plastics and metal. However, high-quality lumber can be expensive and complicated to select, making it difficult to choose. 

♦ Metal Frame: Light Weight and Durable

Metal-frame shower stools and chairs are popular in medical applications. They are inexpensive and lightweight and often have modification capabilities. Users can remove the armrests and backrests or adjust the height of the chair or stool based on their requirements. The frame is either aluminum or iron, depending on the application.

Metal surfaces are also great for hygienic applications, providing a non-porous surface. Corrosion-resistant metals are prevalent in metal frame stools and chairs. 

♦ Plastics: Affordable and Readily Available

If you are looking for an affordable shower chair or stool, look for plastic material. Plastic seatings are readily available and easy to carry, maneuver and maintain. They are great for temporary installations where you need the shower chair or stool for a short duration. The stool and chair are generally made with injection molding and assembled. Some plastic shower stools come in one piece. However, there is no option for height adjustability or modification as per requirement. These are whole pieces that move together. 

Application of Shower Stool Vs. Shower Chair

While shower stools and chairs have specific advantages and disadvantages, they also have their uses. Here are details of some of their uses:

Applications of Shower Stools

Shower stools come in a variety of shapes. They also come in irregular shapes: round, square, rectangular, triangular, or semi-circle. Each of them has a specific application:

● Personal Care Storage: Shower stools can store personal care products. Solid-surface stools often have surfaces and aesthetics that can serve as toiletry storage surfaces. Some even have storage compartments.

● Pregnancy Comfort: Pregnant women may experience balance issues and fatigue, making standing straight challenging. Shower stools provide a comfortable and firm seating surface for ease and accessibility.

● Enhanced Cleaning: Extremities such as feet and legs can be complicated to reach while standing for people with back issues. Shower stools provide a firm surface for sitting to perform bathing.

● Improve Safety: Shower stools provide a firm surface for bathing for the elderly, vulnerable to falls and slips.

● Boost Comfort: Users targeting enhanced comfort and showering experience can opt for shower stools. It can make bathing enjoyable and relaxing.

● Bathing Children: it's hard for children to stand and bathe without playing around. A shower stool provides a surface where they can sit and have limited mobility so their guardians can wash them properly.

Ideal Use of Shower Chair

Shower chairs provide enhanced support to the body. It's especially common in medical facilities where patients need special care during bathing. However, there are other applications for shower chairs, and here are some of their uses:

● Elderly Support: Shower chairs are shared daily in elderly communities. They provide enhanced support for comfort.

● Assistance for Disabled Individuals: Differently abled individuals can utlize shower chairs that come with coasters to move in and out of the shower while remaining safe. Some chairs come with belts for proper seating.

● Post-Surgery Recovery: Limited mobility can be an issue after surgery. Chairs provide firm support for the arm, back, and thighs, making bathing much more comfortable.

● Pain Management: Some people face chronic back or neck pains, making standing for extended periods difficult. Shower chairs provide good support for these individuals.

How to Select the Best Seat for Shower?

Step 1: Evaluate Your Seating Requirement

Start by evaluating your requirements, whether you need it to enhance your bathroom aesthetics or add a piece of furniture that provides space for personal care product placement. In contrast, if you need the seating for medical purposes or health issues.

Step 2: Choice of Material

Make sure your choice matches your bathroom interiors. The material should blend in with the aesthetics. Contemporary bathrooms may opt for modern solid-surface shower stools and chairs, while traditional bathrooms can use metal frames or wood.

Step 3: Consider the Application

Make sure that you select a shower stool or chair based on your requirements. Choosing either of them may limit your application or use of those products. A show stool can also provide storage and a surface for personal products. In comparison, a shower chair can provide maximum comfort at the cost of space.

Step 4: Aesthetics

Adding a shower stool or chair can directly affect the aesthetics of your bathroom, so it's essential to evaluate their aesthetics carefully. Shower stools are ubiquitous in households, but their recent solid surface adaptation is all the rage in interior designs. Consider a shower stool if you want aesthetic appeal in your bathroom. However, shower chairs are still ideal for maximizing comfort.

Step 5: Select a Brand

Always choose a product from a reputable brand with a well-developed market. The aftersales should also be good, and you should have enough customer feedback to decide.

Consider using KINGKONREE (KKR) shower stools in your bathroom. They offer a variety of solid-surface shower stool designs that are sleek, modernistic, minimalist, and have wide-scale applications. Their intricate details in the manufacturing material and technique have earned them their reputation. Check out their shower stool lineup for inspiration.

Step 6: Make the Purchase

Whether you want to buy in bulk or a single product, check for reviews on e-commerce websites. We hope you find the product you are looking for. Congrats on your ideal selection!