My neighbor, a retired nurse, spent three weeks trying to pick out a bathroom seat. In the end, she chose after measuring out her bathroom several times and reading through all of the product descriptions for every shower stool. I had nearly given up on her when she called me up in frustration a few days ago because she couldn’t get anyone to give her a straight answer about whether or not a particular shower stool would be suitable for her.
The difference between a shower chair and stool may seem like a minor detail. But to someone who is struggling to get in and out of the shower, it can make all the difference.
They’re not the same thing (and the distinction matters more than you’d think)
There are key differences between the support that a shower stool can provide for a person in a shower and the support that a shower chair can provide. Here is the core of what most product pages miss about the differences between a shower stool and a shower chair: the fundamental difference in required support for a person in the shower. Most people who have trouble standing for a long time in the shower will feel the difference in support required within the first few minutes of sitting on a stool versus a chair.
The simplest form of shower seating is the humble shower stool. Primarily a backless seat, designed to be folded up for storage in the corner of the bathroom or on a hook on the wall. Often used by people who need to sit for short periods of time. Perhaps, when first injured, people think they will only need to sit for a short time, and then be able to return to full mobility. A stool will provide support for the bottom of a tired person, for a short period of time, without taking up too much space in the bathroom.
This article explores the differences of a shower chair for the bathroom and a stool for the bathroom. A shower chair is more stable than a stool. The backrest and armrests of a shower chair provide structural support. For people with significant mobility limitations, using a shower chair is more appropriate than using a stool for the bathroom.
Bathroom size: the constraint nobody talks about enough
In small bathrooms, however, the same products can cause huge problems in the very same bathroom. The problems do not stem from the product itself but from the space in which the product is to be placed. For most walk-in shower chairs, this creates huge problems.
Stools are generally more suitable for average sized showers than chairs. The primary reason for this is that stools are generally far slimmer than typical shower chairs. Therefore, for example, a shower with a width of less than 90cm would be better suited to a simple, foldable stool for your bathroom than a typical shower chair.
In large showers with walk-in areas, a shower chair would not be in the way and can be a very useful addition to the shower area.
|
Feature |
Shower stool |
Shower chair |
|---|---|---|
|
Back support |
No |
Yes |
|
Armrests |
Rarely |
Often included |
|
Footprint |
Smaller |
Larger |
|
Best for |
Mild fatigue, minor balance issues |
Significant mobility limitations, recovery |
|
Storage ease |
Easy, often foldable |
Bulkier, less portable |
How much support do you actually need?
This is the part where people go wrong. They tend to be optimistic about their current situation and don’t have a clear-eyed view of where they’ll be in 8 months’ time.
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If you can sit and stand without holding onto anything, a stool is probably enough
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If you need to brace yourself or use a wall for stability, a chair with armrests will serve you far better
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If you’re managing a longer-term condition, post-surgical recovery, or significant fatigue, a full shower chair with a back is worth every centimetre of extra footprint
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If your needs are likely to shift in the next year or two, buy for where you’re heading, not where you’re standing today
It is very frustrating to see people going for the cheapest option when they buy for today’s body, without realizing that 8 months down the line, they will be looking for a new chair, probably in less comfortable circumstances than the first time.
Storage and daily logistics
A shower chair for sitting on the floor of the shower whilst having a shower will have the back of the chair resting against the wall of the shower. On the other hand, a shower stool is designed to sit on the floor of the shower and does not have any back support. As a result, a shower stool is generally much more compact than a shower chair. Furthermore, as a result of it not having any back support, a shower stool is generally easier to use than a shower chair and will cause less problems for others who use the bathroom, i.e. children, guests etc.
The storage of the item when it is not in use needs to be considered. The item will be left in the bathroom for long periods of time when it is not in use. This item will need to be stored in a place where it will not be in the way of other household items. The item will need to be left in the corner of the bathroom or against the wall. It will also need to be able to be hung up on a hook. The item will also need to be able to be folded up and left in a cupboard.
A practical starting point
My neighbor has found the perfect solution – a mid-weight folding stool with a slightly wider seat than the average stool. She has a narrow shower but her biggest problem was her unpredictable knees. A shower stool was the perfect solution for her.
Shower chairs and stools. They’re not really the same thing, even though both can be used to sit in a shower. Here are some shower chairs and some stools, to give you an idea of what to expect for each style of product.
So there you have it – the three major deciding factors that can mean the difference between a suitable choice for your needs and a terrible, ill-fitting shower chair or stool. Support, size, and daily use all play huge roles when it comes to selecting furniture for your bathroom, and getting all three right is crucial to ensuring that you won’t have to worry about your purchase for a long time to come.