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.

Kohler has some beautiful safety bars. There are others, Ginger comes to mind. Some are traditional in style with more elaborate turnings, while others are very contemporary. Are you making a curbless shower, one that can be accessed by a wheelchair? I think a bench would be very useful if you can get one to fit and still have room to maneuver. If you have a bench installed, do you mean tiled in? if so make sure you have the depth you need to sit comfortably, front to back. Also I think that the seat needs to slant slightly towards the floor so that water drains off the seat. There are some beautiful teak seats. Some are free standing that can be pulled out. Others are installed on the wall and fold up out of the way. I have linked a Houzz search for Ipe shower seats. I will be putting in a removable teak or ipe wood bench in my shower so I can take it out. Here is a link that might be useful: [Houzz folding shower seats[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/ipe-fold-down-shower-bench-phbr0lbl-bl~l_4018)

I don't think seats in showers are all that common. Instead, I think that on this board, Houzz, and other boards you're seeing a small segment of the population who are going "above and beyond". I can see numerous reasons this'd be true: - Many people -- me, for example -- don't custom build until they're building THE HOUSE that's going to be THEIR HOUSE for the rest of their lives; thus, they want the seat for their elderly years. - People who are building THE HOUSE tend to be able and willing to spend a larger amount than the average homebuilder; thus, they're going to demand more bells and whistles than the average home builder -- to say it differently, they're expecting more than the basic builder house. - People who frequent these boards tend to care more about their houses and tend to put more thought into them than does the average person. So, I think it's easy to get a skewed perspective on these boards of what "everyone" has. Having said that, yes, I'm including a seat in my shower. It's a luxury, but it's an affordable luxury and one that I think I'll appreciate.

Thank you cpartist. But my husband had an accident a few years ago with a fold down shower bench seat at his work gym.. I guess moisture had gotten behind the wall it was mounted to, and the whole bench fell off the tiled wall, taking a 3-4 foot section of tile with it, and collapsed on his back! He's had back trouble since then. (can you believe the BIG electronics company--think, the biggest one in the world!!-- he worked at, claimed no responsibility!!! Although they had it immediately torn down!) anyways, due to that bad experience, he wants nothing to do with fold down bench seats. Understandable. But yes, I think you're right about the tile up on the high ceiling. Easier to clean. Thanks.