The same bar behaves very differently depending on how it's mounted.
Horizontal
Best for pushing down to stand up and for steadying yourself while standing still. This is the ADA default at toilets, tub back walls, and shower back walls. Mount at 33 to 36 inches.
Vertical
Best for pulling yourself forward or up while stepping over an obstacle, like a tub rim or shower curb. A vertical bar lets a hand slide up and down to find the most comfortable height. Mount at the shower or tub entry, spanning roughly 32 to 48 inches.
Angled (diagonal)
Useful in a shower where the same bar serves someone seated and someone standing: the low end for the seated user, the high end for the standing one. The downside is that a wet hand can slide down an angled bar, so use one with rubber grips, and don't use an angled bar where the user needs to push straight down.
L-shaped and arched
An L-shaped bar gives you a horizontal and a vertical section in one fixture, ideal in a shower corner. An arched bar tucks over a shower valve or beside a vanity where a straight bar won't fit.
A simple rule
Pushing down: horizontal. Pulling over a step: vertical. Both people seated and standing in a shower: angled with grips, or an L-bar.
Questions about your bathroom? Call LiveWell at (440) 499-7221 or email info@livewellhs.com. We ship grab bars from Ohio to homes, contractors, and senior living communities nationwide.