You can get a fine shower from a handheld. If I'm installing just one head in a shower, I recommend the user go with a handheld. They're more versatile, and there is no performance penalty. Understand that many manufacturers use the same shower head for fixed and handheld applications. Same head, just a different presentation. Example, here's the Grohe Relaxa Top4, which is what I have in my shower: Fixed: Handheld: I'll agree with raehelen too regarding the bench. I'll encourage you to eliminate the built-in bench and go with a movable wood stool or bench. Again, more versatile. And more comfortable to sit on. Two heads in a 65" shower is not excessive. Regarding the rainhead and pressure. You are correct, many people who use a rainhead as a daily shower head to shower an shampoo do indeed get frustrated with it. It's not really intended to function that way. But those who use a rainhead for the "rainhead experience", they love the rainhead. If your two heads will be used for functional showering, I'd recommend a fixed head on one wall and a handheld on the other wall. Make the handheld hose long enough so it can be used to wash down the walls. I probably install more Grohe than anything else. When you do change shower heads, there sometimes is a transition when going from what you're used to to what you now have. The new head isn't worse. It's simply different. For your plumbing layout, consider having the supply valve(s) located just inside the shower so you can turn the water on without having to step into the shower. The idea is to eliminate getting hit with a cold spray when you turn the shower on.

One thing you might like to consider is what I did: no wall-mount shower head at all and only the hand-held shower head on a bar. This would be a way to save money, too. I had this at my old house in both the master bath and the kids' bath, and I did it again in my new house when we renovated. I really like having the hand-held for washing the walls, not just for the weekly scrub, but for rinsing after every use to get the soap off and prevent scum from forming. I also like it for washing intimate areas and the kids' hair, and it's nice to have the shower head height adjustable on a bar if any children will ever use your shower. I have never missed having a regular wall-mount shower head. I have used Grohe and Hansgrohe shower heads. One warning about the rain shower head is that some people have complained that they have insufficient force to rinse out thick hair. I have never used one, but you might look on the forum.

I hate the feel of hair on my body -- gives me duck bumps! -- so I wash my hair in my extra large MBR sink. I *could* easily wash it using the hand-held Grohe that can be positioned 'wherever' on its vertical pole. There's *plenty* of water pressure through this. The house is 14 now; no slipping, sliding, or other problems with the hand-held. (We had an old Speakman head in our condo until recent remodeling. Minimal difference.) OT: One of my favorite things in this house is the recirculator on the hot water line. This provides hot water in seconds at every hot water tap in the house. Now that I think of it, even with that fast delivery, I push the hand-held shower spray away from me for those few seconds and flip it back when the water is hot. We should start a thread on how long you spend IN the shower, after all the debate about the water delivery system!

Thanks much and beautiful showers! I am confused about the thermostatic valve. Is this something that I can buy separate and have it installed in the wall so that anytime I change out the shower handle/trim/valve it will automatically be there and still be accessible if it breaks and I need to change it? I hate to have more moving parts and things to break inside the walls. LIke this (although it looks like part of this would stick out of the wall?-another hole?: https://www.amazon.com/Rozin-Thermostatic-Mixing-Temperature-Control/dp/B01FAGWKTC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542006430&sr=8-3&keywords=thermostatic+control+valve#customerReviews  Or does do certain valves come with it like this?: https://www.amazon.com/Hansgrohe-04231000-Thermostatic-Control-Diverter/dp/B07FDFK5SM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542006430&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=thermostatic+control+valve&psc=1 I was wondering, also, it sets the temp but the initial issue of being cold while the water warms up since it has to run through the pipes would still be there, right? Problem is, I have chosen champagne bronze and if I need to get the thermostatic control valve built in I think that will be hard. I'm already having a hard time finding a handheld and shower head built into the same. I might have to get a separate handheld to divert water or I'm back to the initial question of do I just push the shower head over to shoot towards the wall before I turn on the H20 or go back to the idea of moving the control valve? Here's one of the options I was looking at for a showerhead before this discuss that I might need to adjust: https://www.amazon.com/58471-CZ-PK-H2Okinetic-4-Setting-Handshower-Showerhead/dp/B009MLXJN8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1542006748&sr=8-2&keywords=shower+head+combo+with+handheld+champagne+bronze