Bathing is an activity that you should not miss every day. Bathing becomes an exciting and relaxing activity with so many different types of soaps and shampoos with scents. Regarding rinsing water on the body, there are still 2 main bathing choices: using a shower and using a dipper.
If you put practicality first, using a shower is the right choice. Although there are no official rules, the shower has the standard height for it. If you want to install a shower in the bathroom or renovate your bathroom, this info will be useful.
Best Height for The Showerhead
Although there are no written rules, showerheads in the industrial world (such as hotels) are installed at 80 inches high from the bathroom floor. This is rated the ideal shower height because it accommodates the average human height.
As a home construction professional, I’ve installed numerous showerheads in various types of bathrooms. The 80-inch height is indeed a reliable standard in many commercial settings, but customization often yields better results in residential homes.
For instance, I once renovated a bathroom for an exceptionally tall client (over 6.5 feet). We opted to install the showerhead at 84 inches to accommodate his height, ensuring a more comfortable and practical showering experience.
This personal experience highlights the importance of tailoring the showerhead height to the specific needs of the occupants.
Read also: Does Shower Drain Need a Trap?
Even if there are people with more height than the average person, the shower height of 80 inches can still accommodate that person’s height.
However, these standards are unwritten and likely only used in the industrial world. If you want to install a shower in your bathroom, you better adjust it to the average height of the house’s occupants. Noteworthy is that the showerhead height must be higher than the highest occupant of the house.
Of course, if you live alone, the showerhead must be higher than you. As a standard, install a showerhead 3 inches higher than your height (or the tallest person in the house). Installing 3 inches higher will still give you the right quality water spray. For example, if you are 5 feet (60 inches) tall, install a 63-inch showerhead.
The Standard Height for The Handheld Showerhead
If you feel lazy measuring a home person’s average height and want to use a standard height for the showerhead, go ahead. However, do not use the industry-standard height (80 inches) for all types of showers. As you know, there are many types of showers, but generally, there are three types: handheld, wall-mounted, and rain showerheads.
If you want to be installed in your bathroom, these three types of showerheads have recommended unwritten standards (but not industry standards).
First is the handheld showerhead. This type of showerhead is installed on the bathroom wall but can still be removed (like a microphone). If you want to use a handheld showerhead in your bathroom, its recommended standard height is 72 to 78 inches.
This height is considered appropriate because of this showerhead’s flexibility—it can be removed from the wall. Also, this type of showerhead usually has an angle setting that can be changed on the port to place the handheld shower. For those of you who have children, this type of shower is suitable for installation in your bathroom because of its flexibility.
The Standard Height for The Wall-mounted Showerhead
When installing a wall-mounted showerhead, it’s crucial to consider both the standard industry height and the space’s specific requirements. Typically, the recommended height is 80 inches.
However, some experts suggest that this can vary slightly depending on the ceiling height and the height of the users. For example, in a bathroom with a higher ceiling, raising the showerhead to 82 inches might enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality.
Similarly, for households with taller occupants, adjusting the height slightly upwards can significantly improve comfort.
The Standard Height for The Rain Showerhead
Unlike the two previous types of showerheads, the rain showerhead is not installed on the wall. It is installed directly above a person’s head or parallel to the head of a showering person.
So, you will feel like a rain shower because water comes above your head. If you want to use the rain shower head for your bathroom, the recommended height for a showerhead is 84-85 inches.
Why use 84-85 inches for this standard height? This is caused by this type of showerhead directly above your head. If it’s too low, then your head will hit the showerhead.
If you use a height of 80 inches, it is feared that it will not accommodate people above average (who end up hitting the showerhead, too). This is different from the wall-mounted showerhead mounted on the wall.
| Type of Showerhead | Standard Height (inches) | Recommended Range (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-Mounted | 80 | 78-82 |
| Handheld | 72-78 | 72-78 |
| Rain Showerhead | 84-85 | 84-85 |
According to additional research, the ideal showerhead height generally ranges between 78 to 80 inches from the floor for wall-mounted showers. However, the installation height for rain showerheads can go as high as 85 inches to mimic the natural rainfall effect more accurately. Adjusting the showerhead height based on ceiling height and user preferences can also optimize the bathing experience.
Another thing that is less satisfactory when installing a rain showerhead with a height of 80 inches is when the shower water feels less like rain, so it is mounted higher. The rain shower head is suitable for installation in your bathroom if the house’s height differs.
