Perfect Placement for Tub and Shower Controls for the Perfect Functionality

In the old days we had shower curtains and sliding shower doors in our tubs and showers. It is more and more popular to now use fixed shower panels in the bathtub and the shower. Your door layout will determine where your shower controls are located.

In a typical bathtub layout, the control is centered between the showerhead and tub spout. However if you are going to use a 3/4 fixed door panel, you will have to enter the tub from the opposite side as you will need the fixed portion on the side of the showerhead. Therefore, in order to turn the shower on without getting into the bathtub you will need to move the shower control to the opposite side of the bathtub and not where it was traditionally installed.

Most people doing shower design make everything linear and spaced out perfectly. That's perfect for body sprays but not for the control to turn the shower off and on. Those controls should be on the closest wall as you enter the shower.

With showers using a thermostatic control, I've even seen the controls on the outside of the shower with the thermostatic control on the inside. Please note the thermostatic control does not turn anything on or off. Its sole purpose is to automatically have a set water temperature that can be changed hotter or colder when in the shower. A thermostatic control is mainly used when additional body sprays and handshowers are used but can be used with a single showerhead.

If you are using body sprays and handshowers you will use a diverter or separate volume controls to turn them on and off. It's hard to say where these controls should be located. It really depends on individual(s) and how they are going to use the shower. If you put the showerhead control at an easy reach then you decide to use the body sprays, the body spray water will initially come out cold. So should you turn them on before getting in? Should it be an easy reach while in the shower? You'll have to answer those questions yourself.

All that you really have to remember is that you should be able to turn your shower or bathtub on without getting into it and getting wet with cold water. You should be able to turn it on and wait for it to get the desired temperature before get wet. If you are using the traditional shower curtain or shower doors that slide to either side, then any layout would be suitable. These recommendations are only when using fixed panels.