Our shower switches between a rain shower head, body jets, and a handheld. We use the rain head all the time. My all time favorite handheld is a kohler flipside.
Consider tile niche instead of soapdish or cornershelfs. I did a floating seat like this(not my pic):
Cut multiple "T"s out of 3/4" good quality plywood, sandwiched with the wall studs. Filled in with wood, cement board, water-proofed with schluter and red guard.