In a Nutshell:
The EcoDecors Serenity Shower Stool is a versatile, attractive handcrafted teak wood stool that looks great in most bathrooms. Recommended for anyone who weighs up to 250 pounds who doesn’t have a mobility issue and is looking for a fantastic accent piece for their bathroom.
Value for the Money
Comfort
Brand Reliability*
Overall Rating
4.1/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Anyone who weighs up to 250 pounds who doesn’t have a mobility issue and is looking for a fantastic accent piece for their bathroom.
Do you love taking long, luxurious showers?
Have you ever wished you could sit back and relax as the hot water cascaded down over you?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, a high-quality shower stool might be the perfect addition to your bathroom!
Broadly speaking, shower stools come in two basic types: Medical devices with built-in safety features designed for people with serious mobility issues that make bathing challenging and decorative pieces designed for convenience.
The EcoDecors Serenity Shower Stool falls into the latter category, so if you have a serious mobility issue, we’ll say upfront that this one probably isn’t a great fit for you. As an accent piece that looks great and provides a convenient perch to enjoy those long showers, though, it’s pretty close to ideal.
In the following sections, we’ll step you through everything this model gets right, and we won’t pull any punches when describing the stool’s limitations. That way, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if this is the model you’ve been looking for. If that sounds good, read on, and let’s look closer!
Key Features of the EcoDecors Serenity Shower Stool with Shelf
The first thing we should say about the EcoDecors Serenity shower stool with a shelf is that its design bears enormous similarities to the Asian shower stool offered by AquaTeak. However, this one has some compelling differences that, in our view, make it an even better fit for most home bathrooms. Still, we also understand that everyone’s tastes and preferences are different, and you may prefer the AquaTeak model, even if we didn’t rate it quite as highly.
Like the AquaTeak model, this one bears traces of Asian influences in its design, but they’re less obvious in this stool, which makes it a better fit, even in bathrooms that don’t already sport an Asian décor scheme.
We should also point out that EcoDecors has these hand-made by local craftsmen in Indonesia. Even though they are highly standardized, some unique flourishes in each one give every product you buy from EcoDecors a unique character.
We flat-out love that, and we think you will, too!
Chair Specifications
Before we get into the details, let’s pause long enough to examine the core stats that define the model closely. Here are the basics:
These numbers are virtually identical to the AquaTeak stool we mentioned earlier, with the only difference being the weight. It’s a bit more sturdily built, although not to the point that EcoDecors increased the recommended weight limit.
In general, these are good numbers. The 18” seat height is right on the edge of the big and tall territory, which starts at 18” and goes up to 22” or higher, making it a versatile piece of furniture. It is a good fit for taller people while still being useful for all but the shortest users.
The seat width is likewise good for the bulk of the market, and while the depth is nothing to write home about, it’s adequate given the amount of time most people will be spending in them.
The only real limiting factor is the weight limit. Most of the furniture on the market today can support up to 300 pounds of user weight. This product misses that mark by a significant margin. Even so, it supports enough weight to be of value for some 85% of the market. Just understand that you’ll want to look in another direction if you’re a heavier user.
Adjustability, Comfort, and Extras!
While most medical shower stools and chairs have at least one or two adjustable features, most decorative ones don’t. This still is an exception on that front, featuring adjustable height pads for the feet, which give you at least a modest amount of flexibility. The foot pads also feature a good gripping surface, so you won’t have to worry that the EcoDecors Serenity Teak shower stool will slide out from under you as you attempt to get into or out of it.
Granted, the gripping feet aren’t quite on par with those found on most medical devices, but they’re a nice addition that certainly adds value.
Comfort-wise, it’s about what you’d expect from solid wood furniture. It’s certainly not something you’d want to spend the whole day in, but given what it was designed for, that won’t happen.
However, there are two small but important “extras” to draw your attention to. First, this seat has narrow slats that allow the shower water to pass through it so it doesn’t puddle.
That’s a genuine risk given the bowed shape of the seat, or at least, it would be a risk, but the simple slat solution neatly solves the issue. Even better, they’re quite narrow, so there’s no risk of pinching while you’re sitting on the stool!
The second thing to mention is the 12” wide shelf under the seat. Most bathrooms have limited storage space, and the ability to keep a few shower items on the shelf underneath you is superb. It’s a small detail, but we love it.
No Assembly Required
Unlike most furniture sold today, which requires assembly before you can start using it, the EcoDecors ED961 Teak shower stool does not require assembly. That’s awesome because although most people are willing to slog through putting their furniture together, it’s not something many can honestly say they enjoy.
There’s simply no need to. When it arrives at your doorstep, take it out of the box and put it where you want to store it until you’re ready to use it for the first time and enjoy it.
Pros and Cons of EcoDecors Serenity Teak Shower Stool
Here are the things we think you’ll like best about this shower stool:
The only real downside to this stool is the disappointingly modest maximum supported weight limit.
We’d love to see a future model upgrade capable of supporting at least 300 pounds and more than that if it’s practical without significantly increasing the price.
EcoDecors ED961 Teak Shower Stool Review Conclusion
The EcoDecors Serenity Shower Stool is a superb, sturdy, versatile, and attractive shower chair. The only thing that would keep most people from buying one is the 250-pound weight limit. It simply does not work for you if you weigh more than that. For everyone else, though, this one is superb. We recommend it.
Recommended Reading
Rose Home Fashion Teak Shower Stool Bench Review
Our assessment of the Rose Home Fashion Teak Shower Stool Bench highlights its versatile bathroom design.
EcoDecors Eleganto Teak Shower Bench Review
Our evaluation explores the EcoDecors Eleganto Teak Shower Bench, a gorgeous rustic option from a well-respected company.
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
- DecoTeak, Official Brand Website.
- Simple DIY Shower Stool, HOME + AWAY.
- Bathing with a Shower/Chair Stool, Mack ‘n Me.
- Bathroom Safety: A Shower Chair or Bath Bench?, Right at Home.
- How the Addition of a Shower Seat Can Benefit Your Bathroom, Hudson Reed.