The small nook or small shelf for shaving is done all the time. If you don't have a showerhead next to the bench, then I don't see any reason to have a bench. A movable teak bench is more practical and easier to use. Do you really want a shower 7' (or even 6') long? That's a lot of empty space not being used for anything, since you don't have 2 showerheads.

Agree with catbuilder.

Toe rests in one form or another are common. Anything from a mini-niche, to a small shelf, to a corner block. They can be fabricated on site, or you can buy a commercially made one. Do a search for "shower shaving pedestal" and you'll see a bit of what is available out there.

I've never been one for built-in benches. I appreciate the flexibility of a movable one if needed.

There's always the option adding a second shower head, perhaps a handheld on the long wall, towards the end where your bench will be. You can add an extra bracket ($15-$50) for the handheld. Have the main bracket up on the wall at a traditional height. Have the other bracket lower at thigh height. Sit on the bench, do your legs. Or you can do a long vertical sliding bar for the handheld, slide it up/down as needed.

Here's my "foot rest" in the shower. I love it!

I, too, vote for something removable/replaceable, like a teak stool. Not only do niches add to the cost of the project, but they are also one more possible source of leaks over time. Besides, with something movable, you can put it wherever it works best for you.

I didn't do a foot rest, but I did do a protruding shelf for my shampoo, etc in lieu of a niche ( we saw it in a hotel and copied the idea)and the same concept would work really well for a foot-rest height protrusion.in our case, the protrusion (which was fully clad in the same tile as the rest of the shower) was about 36" long, 36" tall, and 4" deep). I'd post a picture but for some reason I can't open photobucket on my iPad.

I found the picture

Installed a toe step (for leg shaving) on the shower we rebuilt last month

I think a foot rest is a great idea. We didn't do one for two reasons. First, I wanted a removable teak seat (still haven't bought that) and secondly, I didn't want another niche to clean (lazy). But I wish I would've seen these prior to building shower.

Nice...and less likely to provide an avenue for leaks.

I was going to get the one above on my recent bathroom remodel but didn't. :( I think it is a great idea, it is just put in the corner. I was on a Celebrity Cruise and they had it in our bath.

I have a built in bench and I would sell kidney to get the floor space back. the teak bench option would have been SO much better - I wish someone had stopped me when we built... New house - WIDE OPEN!

I do like this leg shaving footrest, though - how cool is that? Learn so much here! Brilliant.

Gwyndill, how high off the floor is your foot niche? Yours looks a little higher than I was thinking, but it's hard to judge from the photo. I'm considering doing something similar. I'm thinking 16-17" would be good, plus angle the bottom downward very slightly. The other option is a triangular better bench for the corner, open on the bottom.

Niche is a nice way to go for a foot rest. Make sure the sill is marble, or one long running piece of tile without grout lines.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/17/11/1c/17111cdcc53f1381dc67a00f89f3fea0.jpg

aquinksi - the lower foot niche is only used as a foot rest. No products stored there. Here is a photo of the whole shower if that helps. I have plenty of room for storage in the 2 split niches.

First, I wouldn't build a shower so big that it'd have a "cold end". I'd rethink the overall size.

Second, I like the idea of bringing in a teak bench. Moveable is good. You can sit on it, if it suits you. Or you can move it to a good spot for leg shaving. No downside.