You've probably stood in the shower balancing on one foot when trying to wash your other foot while holding on to the wall so you don’t fall - and thinking - there’s got to be a better, safer way. Well, there is.
Use a shower bench, preferably made of teak, in your shower.
But not every teak bench has all the features and benefits you want.
Some wobble on uneven or slanted shower floors. Some won’t repel water and will quickly rot and look rough and worn. Others will decay within a few months.
So before you buy a teak shower bench, here are seven teak bench features you want to look for.
1. First off, is it Real Teak - or Something Marketed to Look Like Teak?
On websites selling wood furniture you'll see "teak-style" or "teak-finish" benches that are actually made from acacia, eucalyptus, bamboo or some other wood or material painted with a teak stain.
In photos, sure, they may look like teak. However, once in your shower, the difference shows up fast.
Real “high-grade” teak is waterproof, mold, mildew and insect resistant - because it’s suffused with natural oils and silica that low quality teak and other woods don't possess.
The oils and silica are the reason quality teak can sit in water day after day without soaking it up, swelling, warping or smelling musty.
That’s why for centuries boats were made of teak - and the most expensive ones still are.
Look-a-like teak might hold up for a season, maybe two, if you're lucky. Genuine high quality teak, however, is built to handle decades of daily showering and still look exactly like the day you bought it.
So, carefully read the bench’s description, and not just look at the bench's finish. If the description only states "teak oil finish" without ever naming teak as the wood itself, that's a sign you're looking at some other wood underneath the shine.
2. Does the Bench’s Legs Have Rubber-Tipped Leveling Feet?
Very few shower floors are perfectly flat. Sloped floors, uneven tiles, textured stone - a bench that isn't built for real world showers will teeter and rock every time you sit on it. And a wobbling bench in a wet, slippery shower is how accidents happen.
Actually, this is one of the most overlooked factors when buying a teak shower bench.
Adjustable leveling feet creates a safe, stable, wobble-free fit no matter what your shower floor is made of or how it slopes.
Adjustable leveling feet will keep your bench - and you - from tipping over, and potentially suffering serious injury. And rubber-tipped feet won’t scratch your shower floor.
3. Will the Teak Shower Bench Actually Fit in Your Shower - and is it the Right Bench for Your Body?
Height and footprint matter more than you’d expect when you're shopping online. A bench that photographs beautifully can end up too low, or too narrow once it's actually in your shower.
Think about these three features before you order:
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The height of the bench - Many people, older and taller, often find a standard 16”-17" stool awkward to get up from. A bench closer to 19" in height makes sitting and standing far more comfortable, and won’t strain your knees or your lower back.
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The size of your shower - Always make sure the description of the bench you’re considering details its full measurements. Then, measure your shower – and then measure it again - to be sure the bench isn’t too big for your shower. Because returning it might be a problem.
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Who's actually using it? If you’re, shall we say, a “big” boy or girl, a bench with a wide seat will be more comfortable. And if you’re really tall, above 6 feet, a seat height above 20” makes more sense.
If your shower is on the smaller side, a corner bench is worth a serious look. It makes use of space that often goes unused while leaving more room for you to move around in, twist and turn, comfortably.
Outside the shower, it can also double as an end table, night stand or even a plant stand.
And if you need a helping hand standing up, side handles provide extra support when getting to your feet. Side handles can also serve as a drying rack for wet towels.
4. Does the Seat Let Water Drain Through, or Does it Sit and Pool?
A flat, solid wood seat may look attractive in photos. But it's one of the worst designs to place in a shower. Water will pool on the seat, turning it into a virtual bath tub on stilts – not to mention puddling water is annoying and uncomfortable to sit in.
Always, always, keep drainage in mind when looking for a shower seat.
You want an open slat design that allows water to flow straight through instead of collecting where you sit. Teak Culture's Tall Teak Corner Shower Bench and the rectangular Teak Shower Bench - both with precisely measured slat spacing, is perfect for rapid water drainage and seating comfort.
5. Does the Bench Have a Storage Shelf, or Will You be Reaching for Items on the Other Side of Your Shower?
Most people will place shampoo bottles, razors, a loofah, maybe a bar of soap on the edge of a bathtub or on a slippery little ledge in the wall, or even on the floor. A bench with a built-in shelf solves that problem without cluttering your shower.
Both of Teak Culture's benches include a shelf underneath the seat, sized to hold everything you'd normally reach for inside or outside your shower.
With 12" of clearance underneath the seat, large oversize shampoo and conditioner bottles can stand upright instead of lying on their side. It's a small detail. But it makes a world of difference that adds to your comfort. Everything you need is right there, instead of stacked precariously on a far off wall shelf that's already crowded.
6. How Much Weight Can the Bench Support - and How is it Constructed?
This is why a lot of budget benches literally fall apart. Weak joints, improper sized screws, lightweight or low quality wood - sure, it’ll look fine online. But is it practical? Is it worth the money?
Repeatedly sitting down, standing up, and shifting your weight while you lather up and shampoo - that puts a great deal of stress on a bench frame over time.
Always look for a clearly stated weight capacity, not a vague claim of "sturdy" or "durable." All Teak Culture benches are rated for up to 250 lbs., and the corner bench's generously sized 30" width and 17" depth add extra stability and comfort for taller or heavier users.
Assembly matters, too - a bench that's thoughtfully and genuinely well-built will assemble in mere minutes - not an entire afternoon filled with frustration and profuse sweating because you’re wrestling with cheap, mismatched hardware and screw holes.
If a bench doesn't mention a weight rating and how it's constructed, that's worth asking about before you buy, not after.
7. How is the Teak “Finished” and What is the Quality Guarantee, if Any?
A hand-sanded teak oil finish means the wood was smoothed by hand rather than machine-stamped - which is why it’ll feel soft and velvety against your skin.
And rounded slat edges means your bench won’t nick or pinch your bottom.
What if there’s a problem with the bench?
All Teak Culture products are backed by an iron-clad guarantee - a 100% all-your-money-back 1-year guarantee against all defects in material or workmanship. Proof that Teak Culture stands firmly behind their products. That's far better than a product offering a 30-day, or no guarantee at all.
Also, read Teak Culture’s customer reviews. There are hundreds. For example, one verified buyer of the Teak Shower Bench wrote “built better than expected”, with “legs that took only a few minutes to attach.”
Bottom Line: After you've verified these seven critical must-haves, choosing the right bench becomes much easier - and you'll end up with no regrets.
Compare Teak Culture's Shower Benches and choose the one that best suits your needs, wants, and your shower.
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