The ideal shower head height is generally considered to be 80 inches (approx. 2 meters); however, depending on your own height and preferences, you might feel more comfortable with a variation that’s placed either lower or higher.
In the following sections, I’ll be taking you through what constitutes a standard shower head height, how to choose the ideal shower head, how to adjust it as necessary, and how to pick a type that’s suited to your needs and bathroom design. Therefore, if you’re about to build or remodel a bathroom, keep reading to learn everything you’ll need to know to create the most comfortable showering space.
Standard Shower Head Height
Even though some showering setups are generally more comfortable for the vast majority of the population than others, objectively speaking, there’s no standard shower head height that works best for everyone.
Not only do we have differing heights, but we also have widely varying preferences when it comes to our showering experience, with some even considering the process a meditative experience.
However, plumbers and contractors usually work following a few set guidelines. These guidelines are built upon what seems to work best with the majority of the population, which is why, unless instructed otherwise, most professionals tend to install showerheads at a height of 80 inches above the bathroom floor.
This height is based on calculations made on average-height people. However, even if you’re a bit taller or shorter than average, you’d probably still feel comfortable using this shower head height.
If you’re not very particular regarding your showering experience, chances are most members of the family will feel comfortable using this shower height. However, if you’ve some specific requests or are exceptionally tall or short, you might not want to skip to the “How to Choose a Shower Head Height” section of this article.
Not only can you choose a shower head height that’ll optimize your experience, but even if you’ve already settled on a number, you’ll still be able to adjust the showerhead height to your liking. This can especially come in handy if you’ve people of drastically varying sizes living in the same household.
How to Choose a Shower Head Height
If you don’t feel comfortable blindly following a general guideline, you’re not alone. For many, showering is an essential relaxing experience that takes a high priority in their self-care routine, which is why aiming for optimal comfort is always a good idea.
In this section, I’ll be taking you through a few tips and tricks you might want to consider when customizing your shower head’s height in an effort to achieve the exact setup and feel you’re looking for. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind.
Consider Your Height
As I’ve already mentioned, how tall you are will determine whether a standard showerhead will provide the comfort you’re looking for or not. Even though the 80-inch measurement is based on the height of the average person, it’s to be expected that not everyone will fall under the range of what’s considered “average.”
Therefore, if you want your shower set up to be more tailored to your specific height, you’ll want to abide by a more general guideline. You’ll want to have the showerhead sit at least a few inches above the top of your head. The exact distance can be hard to pinpoint arbitrarily. Still, you could always test a few positionings beforehand using a handheld showerhead to determine the setup in which you feel most comfortable.
Generally speaking, 3 to 4 inches between you and the shower head mount should provide enough comfort for you to get the most out of the showering experience.
Don’t forget to continuously keep note of how your current shower setup feels and fits within your space. By collecting this data, you’ll be able to make a much better-informed decision next time you redo your bathroom.
Consider the Water Pressure
This might seem a bit odd, but the water pressure provided by your plumbing system can (and should) affect the positioning of your shower head.
First of all, we all have varying preferences when it comes to the water pressure we prefer while taking a relaxing shower. However, the working components inside our bathrooms don’t always work according to our liking, meaning we often have to fix and adjust as we go.
Therefore, if your water pressure is especially weak, you might want to consider placing the head a few inches lower. While this obviously won’t fix the issue, it’ll at least provide you with a feeling you’re more comfortable with.
Likewise, if the water seems to be coming down too hard on your skin, you might want to move the head up a few inches to alleviate the pressure.
While these aren’t always the most efficient solutions, taking into account your shower’s water pressure may allow you to adjust its height in a way that optimizes your comfort.
Consider the Type of Showerhead You Want
I’ll be expanding on how to find the ideal showerhead for you in a moment; however, as of now, it’s essential to acknowledge the fact that the type you choose will inevitably affect the height at which you’ll want to install it. This inevitably comes down to the pressure level each shower head provides, a factor whose importance I explained in the previous section.
For example, while potent rain shower heads might be best installed at an 80-inch (~2-meter) height, even if you’re of shorter stature when it comes to the handheld varieties, you’ll probably want to go a few inches lower.
The overall size and design of your showering space can affect the decision as well. Depending on how the water falls within the space’s pattern and arrangement and whether it’s able to cover most of the shower plate are both elements that should be factored in when choosing a shower head height and type.
Accommodate the Tallest Person in the Family
When multiple people of varying heights have to use the same shower, the decision-making process becomes even trickier. In this instance, it’s recommended to choose a shower head height based on the tallest person in the household.
Showering needs, first and foremost, to be practical. Therefore, by following this approach, even though shorter family members might have to sacrifice a bit of convenience, at least you’ll be sure that everyone has a chance to shower comfortably.
In this instance, you’d want to take the height of the tallest person living in your household, add at least 3 inches of additional space, and use that measurement as the ideal distance between your bathroom floor and the shower head mount.
Account for Adjustability
Choosing a showerhead for a small, nuclear family of three, four, or five can be relatively easy, no matter how seemingly extreme the height differences between the people living in the household are.
However, if you’re a business or a household that takes in a large number of guests, it can be trickier to accommodate the needs of everyone that’s going to be using the same shower. As I briefly mentioned in one of the previous sections, people don’t only have widely varying heights, but they have even more diverse preferences when it comes to their showering experience.
Regardless of whether you’re an establishment or just a big household, you always want to provide your guests with the utmost care and comfort. Therefore, it might be a good idea to account for some adjustability when installing your shower head in this instance.
You can do so by adjusting the height and type of the setup accordingly. For example, you can opt to set the mount a few inches higher than the contractor “standard.” This will assure you that even the tallest guest will be able to shower comfortably without having to bend and contort out of shape.
Secondly (and more importantly), you’ll want to invest in a more adjustable type of showerhead, as any amount of leeway when it comes to length might provide your guest with some much-needed convenience.
Therefore, if, due to your bathroom’s structure or building regulations, you’re not able to set the shower head mount higher than a particular level, you can always opt for a more customizable sliding bar shower head, allowing everyone to achieve the pressure and feel they prefer.
How to Adjust Your Shower’s Head Height
Remodeling a shower to have the head fit just right is a costly endeavor that many homeowners deem not worth it. However, this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your comfort and convenience in the process. Luckily by incorporating a few relatively inexpensive additions, you’ll be able to make any showerhead much more adjustable. Here’s what you can try:
- Wall-mounted shower holder. The best way to make any showerhead more customizable height-wise is not to mount it at all. Incorporating a shower holder into your setup will allow everyone to pick up the head and keep it at the distance they best prefer if the current height doesn’t do it for them.
- Shower slide bar. This might be the most expensive approach, but it’s also the most efficient and comfortable one. The mechanism works just like it sounds: you mount the showerhead onto a slider bar installed in the wall, allowing anyone to adjust it to their preferred height. They offer unparalleled flexibility, as they can accommodate adjustments of 20-30 inches.
- Adjustable shower arm. If you’re looking for a more laid-back approach, an adjustable shower arm is just the accessory for you. This is one of the most affordable methods referenced on this list, not to mention it’s a breeze to install. Alternatively, you can always opt for an S-style shower arm, which works similarly, but is a complete replacement of your current equipment rather than an add-on.
- Swivel ball adapter. While most of the methods mentioned so far aim to increase your shower head’s height, swivel ball adapters are an excellent choice for shorter people. It’s convenient and easily installable, so I highly recommend giving it a try.
Different Shower Head Types
As promised, I’ll now be taking you through some of the most common showerhead types and how they affect the height you’ll want to mount them on.
Rain Showerheads
Rain showerheads are the ideal choice for taller people or families that want to accommodate every household member. They provide a relaxing, one-of-a-kind experience that requires at least 84 inches of height to be thoroughly enjoyed. They’re a bit pricier than their counterparts, but if you can make some room in the budget, I highly recommend giving them a try.
Wall-Mounted Showerheads
These are the most common varieties you’ll find among different households. They’re affordable, convenient, and can accommodate the needs of most average-height people perfectly. However, finding the ideal distance between the bathroom floor and a wall-mounted showerhead can be trickier, which is why you’ll want to decide by accommodating the tallest person in the household.
Handheld Showerheads
If you’re still uneasy regarding the amount of leeway the previous options offer when it comes to height, you may want to opt for a handheld showerhead. These can usually be installed lower than their wall-mounted counterparts, as they can easily be picked up and utilized regardless of a person’s height. Some owners mount them as low as 72 inches (1.83 meters) from the bathroom floor.
Final Thoughts
Even though there isn’t one ideal shower head height, most contractors mount them 80 inches above the bathroom floor. However, depending on your own height and preferences, you might want to adjust your shower set up to best fit your needs. Additionally, you can always customize a shower head’s height in an effort to accommodate the requirements of every household member.
Lastly, always account for shower head type when deciding on its ideal height. Doing so is guaranteed to optimize your comfort level and overall showering experience.
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