As I mentioned in this video, in my experience, shower benches are used waaaaay more for storage than for sitting on …
I know, kinda crazy right?
If you’re looking for storage solutions, you wouldn’t necessarily think Shower Benches are one, right?
Whether some people do, or that’s just what it ends up turning into is beyond the scope of this article, we’ll just expand on what we’ve seen.
What Shower Benches Are Actually Used For…
In theory, a bench is made for sitting, shaving or accessibility, however in most showers we see it ends up being used as a place for shampoo bottles, a spot for soap and products, essentially just a big ole shelf!
And a pretty expensive one at that…
Are Shower Benches overkill for storage?
Benches take up space in the shower, material and labor cost, and layout flexibility.
If any of those things are big concerns for you, you may want to look at other two other options:
- Shelves (read more!)
- Niches (read more!)
A bench works—but it’s not always the most efficient solution for what people actually use it for.
Schluter Shower Bench Options
If you are going to do a bench, there are good ways to do it.
We typically use Schluter benches because they’re built for this system.
Prefabricated Benches (KERDI-BOARD-SB)
These are ready-made, waterproof benches that install directly into the shower system.
What you get:
- Lightweight but load-bearing structure
- Fully waterproof and ready for tile
- Built-in slope to shed water
They come in:
- Triangular (corner benches)
- Rectangular (full benches)
They’re designed to integrate with the entire Schluter shower system, which helps avoid common failure points.
Custom Benches with KERDI-BOARD
If you want something more specific, you can build a custom bench using Schluter’s KERDI-BOARD.
This gives you:
- Complete control over size and layout
- A fully waterproof structure
- Flexibility for unique designs
This is what we’ll use when the space calls for something more tailored.
When a Shower Bench Actually Makes Sense
There are definitely times when a bench is the right call.
It makes sense if:
- You want seating for accessibility
- You have a larger shower with extra space
- You’re designing for comfort (steam showers, spa feel, etc.)
In those cases, a bench adds real value.
When You Might Want to Skip It
If your main goal is storage, a bench might not be the best move.
You’re dedicating a large portion of your shower to something that could be handled with:
- A niche
- A shelf
- Or a ledge
Same function—way less space and cost.
Final Takeaway
Shower benches aren’t bad—but they’re often misunderstood.
- Used for sitting ? makes sense
- Used for storage ? probably overkill
If you’re going to do one, do it right with a proper system like Schluter.
If not, there are simpler ways to get the same result.
What Do You Think?
Do you actually use your shower bench for sitting…
or does it just turn into storage?
Would you add one—or skip it?