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.

Devils advocate here because it happened to my brother's family recently. They live in an older neighborhood in a small college town in East Texas. The neighborhood is very desirable though, and property resale values stable, even with the new subdivisions springing up. They recently moved for Jobs and put sold their home. It had been updated cosmetically throughout. A large utility room had an enclosed acrylic shower they had redone in tile as well as the rest of the room updated. The hall bath had been a tub only when they purchased 10 years ago, but was short. They tore it out, shortened the 2 sink vanity to 1 sink, and put in a long, free standing tub on a base. The master bath is small with a double vanity, shower only with the toilet right next to it. They retiled the shower and did other cosmetic updates. All these updates were done 5-6 years ago. When the house went on the market, there was a big open house. Many buyers made comments that they did not like the shower only in the master while others didn't like the tub only feature in the hall bath. Needless to say, it was not an issue for many other buyers and there was a bidding war over the home and it sold very quickly. Do not remodel for what will work for someone else. It is not their home. They have their own home to do with what pleases them. If having a bath only bathroom works for you and your lifestyle, then by all means do that. How often do you have guests? Are you like a B & B or is it just an occasional person every few years? If a guest has a problem using a tub, they have an option down the hall. If that is too inconvenient for them as a guest in your home, there is always a hotel. Someone that high maintenance in your home may not be worth the hassle.

Heed MillWorkman's advice. Any change of plane, whether it is wall to ceiling, wall to floor, wall to wall, etc.. will almost always require caulk of some sort. !00% silicone for anything around water. In other areas, a siliconized caulk, or paintable 100% silicone caulk can be used. I have done a lot of painting, either for myself or others, and I learned from an experienced pro to put a light layer of caulk in corners, around mill work, and wall to wall/ceiling/floors to prevent the paint from cracking/splitting. Just my 2 Lincolns worth.

@Nancy in Mich, thanks for the details. I just found your bathroom reveal post too. I'm glad you're happy with the outcome. I have been reading about the pros and cons of cultured marble; I had checked out swanstone (not available near me - Canada); I'm only seeing solid stone panels showing up on box store sites but will keep looking. The contractor, who does accessible bathrooms tends to use cultured marble from a particular local manufacturer and say it's great. According to that company's website, "It is possible to repair scratches, chips, and minor blemishes. A repair person can re-buff the surface or patch with a special mixed gel-coat compound." They also say " Cultured marble is easy to care for and keep clean. Simply squeegee after each shower to quickly remove water drops from walls and to clean, you can use most non-abrasive cleaners. If hard water deposits accumulate, they can be dissolved with vinegar applied from a spray bottle. Cultured marble that has lost its shine can be restored by using Gel-Gloss or Counter Top Magic once a year. " Of course they'll say their product is awesome, right? ;) I do recall from years ago my parents had a bathroom vanity with cultured marble all in one countertop and sink bought from a box hardware. It didn't last forever and eventually had to be replaced. Hopefully quality is different now. Also, it might be easier on a wall than a basin that is collecting all kinds of liquids and such. Right now the bathroom is too narrow for dad to go in with his walker; thankfully there's a long vanity counter he holds onto, and when going in the tub, there are grab bars and mom is there to guide him. We'll likely go 0-threshold to allow him turning space with his walker. He also has low vision and one eye has no sight so balance is a concern. Thank God he has never fallen in the bathroom. The reno plan will unfortunately mean a small vanity and essentially no storage. I'm going to start a thread to get some ideas because no one who has come out has any ideas. The main reason is that widening to door will take up their linen closet and most of where the current vanity is. I do wonder about the comfort of a tile floor - seems it would be chilly and hard on the soles of one's feet so you'd need slippers all the time. Dad already wears them but not mom. That will be an adjustment. It'll take some more work trying to find something with sufficient texture and slip resistance while being comfortable for standing on. Did you buy your new shower curtain online? It's hard to find heavy weighted ones in the local stores anymore.