Shower and bathroom fixes for renters

Shower heads are typically installed around 77 to 81 inches off the floor (Delta Faucet). If that leaves you ducking every morning, you don’t need a renovation. Most of these fixes take minutes, need only a wrench, and come out cleanly when you move.

Raise the shower head

Four ways to do it without touching the plumbing in the wall (The Shower Head Store):

• Adjustable shower arm extension. It screws onto your existing shower arm, and the head screws onto it. Loosen the joint, swing the head up, and tighten. It takes an adjustable wrench, some plumber’s tape, and about 15 minutes. This is the best fix for most people.
• S-shaped shower arm. It replaces the short pipe coming out of the wall and turns the head upward. It takes a bit more force to remove the old arm.
• Handheld shower on a slide bar. The bar adds over 27 inches of adjustment, so everyone in the house can set their own height. Some bars mount with screws, so check your lease.
• Swivel ball adapter. It changes the angle, not the height, but pointing the spray down at you instead of at your chest helps more than you’d expect.

Hang a longer curtain

A standard shower curtain is 72 × 72 inches. Extra-long curtains are 72 × 84 inches, 12 inches longer (Pepper Home). Pair one with a tension rod mounted higher on the wall. Tension rods need no drilling, and the higher rod makes the whole shower feel taller. To find the height, measure from the rod down to the floor, allowing about 8 to 10 inches for the rings.

Fix the mirror and towel bars

• Mirror. If you see your chin but not your forehead, lean a tall floor mirror nearby or hang a longer mirror over the existing one using the same holes.
• Towel bars. The standard is about 48 inches off the floor (Delta Faucet). Adhesive hooks placed higher give you a towel within reach without bending, and peel off when you leave.
• Sink. If the vanity is low, a raised soap dispenser and toothbrush holder save you from bending down to the counter every morning.