Small shower stool: a compact seat when a chair will not fit
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- Compact shower stool with slip-resistant tips. Best for: Narrow tubs and corner showers. See options on Amazon
- Square aluminum shower stool. Best for: Small stalls where a slightly larger seat feels steadier. See options on Amazon
- Swivel-seat shower stool. Best for: People who find it hard to turn to reach the faucet. See options on Amazon
- Non-slip shower mat or self-stick strips. Best for: Any shower floor where a stool will stand. See options on Amazon
Stool or chair: which do you need?
| Question | If yes |
|---|---|
| Can you sit upright for several minutes without leaning back? | A stool can work |
| Do you tire, feel unsteady sitting, or need to rest your back? | Choose a small shower chair with a backrest |
| Is floor space very tight, or shared with people who stand? | A stool takes the least room |
| Can you not step over the tub wall? | Use a transfer bench instead |
A stool removes standing time, not the step into the tub. If the step is the problem, a stool will not solve it.
Specs that matter on a small stool
- Seat size and shape. Round and square seats both exist. Drive Medical's basic shower stool, for example, has a 13 by 13 inch seat. A round seat lets you turn your knees more easily in a corner.
- Height range. A seat too low makes standing up hard. The Carex compact shower stool, sold through Drive, adjusts from 16 to 21 inches with push buttons. Drive's basic stool adjusts in 1 inch steps.
- Leg tips. Carex lists slip-resistant leg tips. Check they are soft rubber and replace them if cracked.
- Weight rating. Drive's basic stool is rated to 300 lb and the Carex compact stool to 250 lb. Pick a rating above the user's weight.
- Weight of the stool. Drive's basic stool weighs 3 lb, easy to lift out of the way.
- Materials. Aluminum frames resist rust; Carex describes a mildew-resistant plastic seat.
Set up the space around it
CDC's home fall checklist asks two bathroom questions: is the tub or shower floor slippery, and do you need support getting in and out or up from the toilet? Its fixes are a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the shower floor, and grab bars next to and inside the tub. A stool works best with both, since you will push up from it with nothing to hold otherwise.
The risk is real. A CDC study of bathroom injuries treated in emergency departments found falls caused 81.1% of them, and about 68% happened in or around the tub or shower.
Safe use tips
- Place all legs flat on the floor, away from the drain slope and curved tub edges.
- Press down on the seat before sitting to check it does not rock.
- Lower yourself while holding a grab bar, and stand the same way.
- Keep soap and a washcloth within reach so you do not lean far off the side.
- Dry the stool and check the leg buttons and tips now and then.
If you notice you lean against the wall while seated, you have outgrown a stool; switch to a chair with a back.
What to look for when you buy
Compact shower stool with slip-resistant tips
Best for: Narrow tubs and corner showers
Carex describes its compact stool as made for narrow tubs and showers, with slip-resistant leg tips and push-button height from 16 to 21 inches.
Watch out: No back or arms. Not a fit if you cannot sit upright unsupported.
See options on AmazonSquare aluminum shower stool
Best for: Small stalls where a slightly larger seat feels steadier
Drive's basic shower stool has a 13 by 13 inch seat, a 300 lb rating and legs that adjust in 1 inch steps.
Watch out: Square corners take a bit more room than a round seat in a corner.
See options on AmazonSwivel-seat shower stool
Best for: People who find it hard to turn to reach the faucet
A rotating seat lets you turn without twisting your back or shuffling your feet on a wet floor.
Watch out: Check that the swivel can lock, or that you are steady enough for a seat that turns.
See options on AmazonNon-slip shower mat or self-stick strips
Best for: Any shower floor where a stool will stand
CDC's home checklist recommends a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the tub or shower floor, which also helps the stool's feet grip.
Watch out: Mats with suction cups need lifting and cleaning so mildew does not build up underneath.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What is the best size shower stool for a small shower?
- One with a seat around 13 inches across and legs that fit on the flat floor. Measure the space and check the leg footprint, not just the seat.
- Is a shower stool safe for elderly people?
- It can be for people with good sitting balance, used with a non-slip mat and grab bars. Those who need back support should use a chair.
- How tall should a shower stool be?
- High enough that you can stand up easily. Many stools adjust, for example from 16 to 21 inches.
- Do shower stools fit in a bathtub?
- Compact ones often do. Place the legs on the flat tub floor, not the curved edges.
- Is a round or square shower stool better?
- Round seats let you turn your knees more easily in a corner; square seats can feel steadier to sit on. Measure the space first.
- Does a shower stool need grab bars?
- It helps. CDC's checklist recommends grab bars next to and inside the tub for support getting in, out and up.
Sources
- Shower Stool (shop.drivemedical.com), Drive Medical (maker)
- Carex Compact Shower Stool (shop.drivemedical.com), Drive Medical (maker)
- Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults (cdc.gov), CDC STEADI
- Nonfatal Bathroom Injuries Among Persons Aged 15 Years or Older, United States, 2008 (cdc.gov), CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report