Tile Ideas for Your Built-In Shower Bench

Image: Oxide Quartz Shower Room Bench with Shibusa Bianco 24 x 48 and Basketweave 2 x 2 Porcelain Tile from Arizona Tile

A nice-looking shower is one thing, but a shower with conveniences ups the appeal. Often, you start your day in the shower, and sometimes you end your day there too. Having a relaxing oasis calms and rejuvenates you more than a basic shower stall would. Yes, the basic premise of a shower is a space to maintain proper hygiene, but the heat and steam also do wonders for your skin and general well-being.

To be able to close your eyes and sit, feeling the hot water grace your body and just escape for a few minutes can be just the reset you need. Having a built-in shower bench will help achieve this level of tranquility. Sure, standing in the hot steam is relaxing, but doing it while restfully sitting accounts for a whole other level of relaxation, and convenience too.

Shower Conveniences

There are many components within a shower that provide great convenience such as shower shelves, handrails, a nicely fashioned windowsill, and seating. Recessed shelving is aesthetically appealing while creating a designated surface for personal products like soap and hair care. Having a more organized space to place your shower items keeps your shower uncluttered and reduces the risk of mishaps like falling or other injuries.

Image: Pietra Italia White 24 x 48 R11 Anti-Slip FinishLarge Format Floor (custom cut), Pietra Italia White 24 x 48 Large Format Wall and Bench Tile, and Chevron Silver Polished Accent Tile from Arizona Tile

Of course, water and moisture make surfaces very slippery. Having adequate precautions in place will relieve some of the worries, especially if you have mobility or stability concerns. Handrails, minor thresholds (or no threshold if talking about a wet room), shelves, and a bench can all aid in shower safety. Small shower floor tile can add safety as well because it has more grout lines. The more grout lines there are, the more friction points there are for your feet. Grout lines add gripping and minimize the total surface space your foot contacts amongst a single tile.

A wet room is also a practical possibility to create a safer space. Wet rooms are all-encompassing of main bathroom features like the shower and tub set behind a wall of glass or tile. These areas do not contain a threshold, so they are more practical for those with mobility concerns. This free-flowing, open space can even accommodate a wheelchair in many designs. Adding a built-in shower bench will enhance the practicality of maneuvering throughout the shower and provide a place to lean on or rest.

Within a wet room, R11 Anti-Slip Finish flooring is also a valuable option. This finish reduces the risk of slippage on the tile surface, yet it is undetectable to its aesthetic appeal. Pietra Italia is a soft, neutral option that emulates limestone. Its clean, natural stone appearance is a breeze to maintain because it is non-porous. For shower flooring, this ultra-durable porcelain tile is offered with R11 Anti-Slip Finish and in 2” x 2” mosaic mesh, to provide that extra level of grip.

Image: Blue Tahoe Polished Quartzite Slab Shower Bench and Walls with CS-Deep Blue Honed Rhomboid Marble Shower Floor and Ceiling from Arizona Tile

Built-In Shower Bench

Showers with benches built-in are an integral part of constructing an at-home shower oasis, that is not one-size-fits-all. If you’re working with a tighter space, a corner bench will utilize the least amount of space, while still providing a restful surface.

Corner Shower Bench

While a corner shower bench may be smaller than some other designs, this doesn’t mean luxury needs to be reduced. A feature piece like Montenegro quartz accents the space with its striking black base and vibrant white veining. Add tile around this stunning corner bench as you wish but know this built-in shower bench will likely be the focal point of your whole bathroom. It’s just that alluring.

Image: 3D White Wave Matte Ceramic Shower Bench and Montenegro Quartz Stone Bench Top from Arizona Tile

Floating Shower Bench

Floating benches are another option, typically in a larger shower or wet room. If you have the space for such, you won’t regret it. With a floating built-in shower bench, you not only have the benefits of the seat, but the floor under it remains open so you can place additional hygiene products out of the way, or simply move around more freely without foot space being compromised. Both quartz and quartzite slabs are worthy of consideration for a floating shower bench because they are extremely durable, easy to maintain, can withstand daily use, and look great for a lifetime. If you’re designing your perfect bathroom sanctuary, you want it to last for as long as you’re in the home—and these products can do that.

Porcelain and ceramic tile present a breadth of selection that caters to any design preference. Such tile can be used on the bench itself or on the vertical space surrounding it. 3D tile is a delightful option within a shower because it enhances the natural flow of water with its graceful multi-dimensional styles. Other textured 3D tile— like glass and natural stone—also work to enhance the dimensional aesthetics of the space. If you’re designing an outdoor shower space, natural stone 3D tile harmoniously connects the ethereal balance of nature to our daily lives, making it a valuable consideration.

Inspiration and Information

Given our vast array of products, we want to inspire you through many means, from picture galleries and similar blogs to our showrooms and slab yards. We also have helpful resources like our Just Imagine Tile and Slab Visualizer, to inspire and guide you. If you have questions about our products, please contact us and our knowledgeable and friendly staff of tile experts will set you on a path to your dream shower oasis.