Skip to content 
Nobody likes sliding around in the shower but stepping out of it can become very dangerous as we age. That is why grab bars make a fantastic addition to your shower. They give you secure places to hold on for support.
Is one too few, or too many? The truth will rely on your shower and how you use it. As a premier Northwest Indiana home remodeling company, Lori K Bath is trusted to help Northwest Indiana homeowners with bathroom remodels, giving them an accessible and comfortable place to enjoy for years to come. Here are a few things to consider before deciding where your grab bars need to be.
How Many Shower Grab Bars Do You Actually Need?
It is common for people who own homes to begin their home improvement project with 2 or 3 shower grab bars. One can be close to the entrance for when you need help getting in or out and the other can be on the wall for support while you are, in the shower.
If you plan on using a shower seat you might want to think about adding another bar if you feel unsteady when you stand up.
You don’t need to clutter your shower with grab bars, you need as many as you need support in your shower.
Consider your daily showering habits. Do you need help stepping in? Do you ever feel like you lose balance turning around.
Those are great signs of where you need additional support.
Someone who sits down to shower will have different needs than someone who stands the entire time. Two or three bars are great general purposes, but remember that your grab bars should be chosen based on your needs.
Where Should Shower Grab Bars Go?
Shower grab bar placement is more important than just having multiple bars.
Your bars do nothing if you cannot reach them!
Consider One Near The Entrance To The Shower
The most help grab bars can provide is during the moment when you are in or out of the shower.
It is easy to lose your balance when you step in or out of the shower with wet feet.
Having a vertical grab bar near the entrance to the shower can provide that extra help when needed.
It should also be easily reachable and not interfere with your shower door. The placement will be different depending on how you enter the shower, and which hand you prefer to use.
Consider Adding One Along The Wall For Support
A horizontal shower grab bar can provide support when you need it.
If you find yourself leaning on the wall to turn around or keep your balance, you could likely benefit from a grab bar.
They should be mounted at a comfortable height for you to reach; you shouldn’t have to stretch to reach a bar, or lean across the shower to get to it.
Some people only need one wall bar, while others may benefit from additional bars along the shower walls.
Consider One Near Your Shower Seat
If you plan on sitting in your shower think about how you will get in and out. That can be a task for many people who have limited mobility or who struggle with balance.
A grab bar placed close to the shower seat can make a difference when trying to sit down or stand up.
The right placement depends on the seat and the person. Some people have trouble, than others.
If someone cannot stand or move to the seat on their own it’s an idea to talk with an occupational therapist. They can help find the way to handle showering needs.
Should Shower Grab Bars Be Vertical Or Horizontal?
Both styles can serve their purpose. They just do it in different ways.
Vertical bars are great for near the entrance to the shower, but horizontal bars are fantastic along the walls for those that need to hold on while standing.
There are also bars that are installed at an angle, while others are installed vertically or horizontally.
They are great in some instances, but just keep in mind that they are helpful in specific ways.
Consider how you reach for a bar. You will not reach for one that is six feet long the same way you would a bar that is three feet long.
Everyone reaches for something different.
That is why it is important to consider the placement before committing to the installation.
What Height Should Shower Grab Bars Be?
There is no right or wrong answer. You need to install the grab bars at a height that is comfortable for you.
For many, ADA compliant showers recommend that horizontal grab bars be installed with the top of the gripping surface 33 to 36 inches from the finished floor. There are additional guidelines for other bar placements, depending on the needs of the individual.
The needs of the individual is what is most important when determining where the grab bar should go. Someone who sits in the shower has different needs than someone who stands.
Before installing a grab bar, consider the needs of the individual, and where they will be reaching for support.
Where will they reach for assistance when stepping in the shower? What is a comfortable height for them to bring their hand up to when standing up?
A professional installer should be able to determine the best possible placement for the grab bar, and how the bar should be mounted.
Can Grab Bars Be Installed On Any Shower Wall?
This is a detail that too many people overlook.
Grab bars are not like towel bars or decorative handles; they need to be securely mounted in order to provide the necessary support.
While a wall may appear sturdy, you cannot simply install a grab bar anywhere on it.
The mounting system should be appropriate for the wall, and installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some installations require additional reinforcement behind the wall, as well.
This is why it is a good idea to consider grab bars when you are planning on redoing your shower.
If the walls are coming out anyway, the installer can add the necessary reinforcements for the grab bars.
Suction-cup handles should not be used as a replacement for permanent grab bars. They can become dislodged unexpectedly.
A grab bar must be permanently mounted in order to safely provide the necessary support.
Should You Add Grab Bars Before You Need Them?
It is an idea to think about it especially if you plan on staying in your home as you age.
You may not need one today. You will likely appreciate having one once you need it.
Many people overlook the importance of grab bars. Do not consider them until they have trouble stepping out of the shower.
Consider your needs now, and in the future, and plan accordingly. You can determine where grab bars should go, what finishes you want, and the walls should be reinforced to accept the bars.
An aging in place bathroom does not have to be boring or old looking, either.
Modern grab bars are available in a wide variety of finishes. They even have some that mimic the look of other bathroom fixtures, so they can blend in with the rest of your bathroom.
At Lori K Bath, we strive to create a bathroom that makes sense for the homeowner, and has the features they require to enjoy every day.
What Else Makes A Shower Safer?
While grab bars are a great addition to any bathroom, they are only one part of an overall safer, more accessible bathroom.
Think about what makes showering uncomfortable.
Is the floor slippery? Do you have to reach overhead to turn on the shower? Are you finding it more difficult to step over the side of the tub?
Those are all details that deserve consideration during your remodeling project.
Some of the most common additions to make a bathroom more accessible and comfortable include the following:
Low-threshold entry to the shower
Slip-resistant flooring
Handheld showerhead
Shower seat
Easy-to-reach controls
You don’t necessarily need all of them, but you should consider what will make showering more comfortable for the people that use your bathroom.
When Is It Time To Consider A Shower Remodel?
Sometimes the problem is more than installing a few grab bars.
Your tub may have a side that’s difficult to climb over or you may have a small shower that does not allow you to sit or stand comfortably.
If you are constantly worried, about falling or losing your balance it might be time to think about a shower remodel.
A walk‑in shower can make a difference especially if it is designed to fit your specific needs.
At Lori K Bath, we work with homeowners all over Valparaiso, Crown Point, Schererville, and the surrounding Northwest Indiana communities to help them make their bathroom safer and more comfortable for years to come.
Our family owned and operated company is proud to provide custom walk-in showers and tub-to-shower conversions using Made in USA products. Most of our bath and shower installations are completed in just one day, so you never have to wait for a long remodeling project to finish before you can enjoy your new space.
We are here to listen to your remodeling needs, and help you make the most appropriate choices for your bath and shower needs, whether it is an aging in place bathroom or something else.
Common Grab Bar Mistakes Worth Avoiding
One common mistake is to focus on how the bar looks, rather than its overall functionality.
While a bar can look nice, it does not do any good if it is not in an area where it can assist.
Another common mistake is to fail to install the bar in a secure manner. Many people forget that a bar requires special consideration when it comes to mounting. A standard towel bar will not do.
It is also easy to forget about the entrance to the shower, or how people move around the enclosure.
Before installing the bar, try to imagine how you will use the shower. Will you need assistance getting in or out? What areas will you need support?
A little bit of forethought can prevent many common mistakes.
Make Your Shower Easier To Use With Lori K Bath
You do not need to worry about losing your balance every time you take a shower.
Many homeowners can agree that 2 or 3 grab bars are a great start, but it is important to keep in mind where they should be placed in order to give the most possible assistance. If you are considering a bathroom remodel, Lori K Bath can help you consider all your options and choose the right ones for you.
Lori K Bath is a family owned and operated home remodeling company serving Northwest Indiana homeowners. We specialize in providing custom aging in place bathrooms and accessible showers using Made in USA products. Our factory-trained crews can complete most of our bath and shower installations in just a single day, so you do not have to wait for a long remodeling project.
Contact Lori K Bath today for a free design consultation and discover the Lori K Way.