A shower niche is a recessed shelf built into your shower wall that provides space-saving storage and can serve as an attractive design feature.
When installing a tile shower, you have nearly limitless options for how a shower niche can look. Some homeowners want a small niche with a classic style that blends into the wall. Others seek out a distinctive color or pattern that's meant to grab attention and have a more dramatic impact on the bathroom's aesthetics.
In this post, I'll cover some of the basics about designing your perfect tile shower niche. I'll explain why you want a shower niche in the first place and get into details about the options for size, wall placement, and materials. In the process, I'll go over some of the typical "rules" for shower niche design and when it makes sense to break them.
A well-installed shower niche is designed for both style and function, serving as an unexpected hero in a remodeled bathroom.
In terms of functional benefits, a shower niche can be used to store items like soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. It keeps these items organized so that they are easier to access while also preventing your shower from having a cluttered look.
A shower niche can also enhance aesthetic shower design. It can be a striking focal point that enhances the overall style from floor to ceiling. We've found that most homeowners want their shower niche to further a sense of elegance, contributing to a luxurious bathroom experience.
There's no universal "best" location for a shower niche. The size and shape of your shower influence the size, shape, number, and placement of niches you might incorporate. But as a general rule, to ensure efficiency and accessibility, a niche is best placed where your height and reach meet.
A good place to start is by assessing the total horizontal and vertical space in the shower. For example, if you have a big shower, you typically don't want to put in a single recessed shower niche that's far from the showerhead because then toiletry items aren't within arm's reach. When doing a bathroom remodel, we measure these spaces carefully so that we can adapt the design to your needs and preferences.
The most suitable place for a shower niche is usually built into a flat wall, but there are instances in which you can install a corner niche. Regardless of the exact placement, adding a slight slope to the shelf of a shower niche prevents water pooling and promotes drainage.
Ceramic tile is hygienic and versatile, making it a practical material choice for shower niches. However, it's not the only type of tile that can be used for a high-quality niche.
Glazed ceramic tile is a durable material that is water-resistant and well-suited to bathrooms. In addition, ceramic tile comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes, surface textures, layouts, and designs to match function with fashion in shower niche design. That also means that ceramic tile can be adapted to almost any personal design aesthetic for a one-of-a-kind shower niche.
That said, ceramic tile is not your only option.
Porcelain tile shares many of tile’s qualities but is denser and even more water-resistant. It is often more durable long-term, although it can be more expensive.
Glass tile is 100% impervious to water and is a great choice for wet areas like showers.
Natural stone tiles like marble, granite, and limestone offer timeless beauty but require regular sealing to prevent water absorption and staining.
Acrylic or fiberglass are typically prefabricated, so while they are easy to install, they offer less flexibility for custom shower niche designs.
All things considered, we tend to lean toward ceramic tile or porcelain tile. But when choosing tile for a shower niche, you'll want to consider the overall bathroom design, material, water-resistance, and maintenance.
When planning a shower niche, one option is to use similar tiles (or even the exact same tile) for the niche as for the surrounding walls. This approach works best if:
You prefer a classic, understated look
Your shower niche won't be visible from outside the shower (making its visual style less relevant to the overall bathroom aesthetic)
You want to simplify the project for budgetary reasons
While it's not flashy, this approach doesn't have to be boring. A well-planned tile layout in a shower niche allows for aligning grout lines for a sleek and seamless appearance.
You can also enhance the design with other elements. For example, using large format tiles in a shower and niche creates a contemporary look with minimal grout lines and simplifies maintenance.
A shower niche should contrast with the surrounding tile if you are intent on creating a bolder and more eye-catching look. If your goal is to make a statement or elevate the overall look of your bathroom, you may get better results by incorporating contrast into your shower niche.
Although there are many ways to create this contrast, a few examples may serve as inspiration:
Mosaic tile can enhance a shower niche and serve as a stylish design element
Selecting a glossy tile finish for the niche reflects light and can make the niche appear brighter
In contrast, a matte finish can provide a more polished look compared to surrounding tile with a glossier, brighter finish
Utilizing darker tile in the niche can give more definition and visual interest to a basic shower wall
Some homeowners even opt for a truly strong contrast by utilizing a totally distinct, statement-making pattern. For example, in this remodel, we incorporated a special backing that evokes Asian paintings, offering the bathroom a sense of artistry, sophistication, and tranquility.
Traditionally, creating contrast was thought of as "breaking the rules" for shower design, but today, we know that it can provide stunning results when done right.
Shower niches can incorporate multiple compartments or multiple niches to increase storage space. Having multiple shower niches works best if:
You have a large shower, especially one with two showerheads
You want niches at both adult- and kid-friendly heights
You expect to have a lot of different shower products and need more storage
Your aesthetic approach is enhanced by having two niches (most often with contrasting tile)
Niches can be installed in many different sizes and shapes, so you can choose from many different options. Squares and rectangles are the most common shapes for shower niches because they offer clean lines and usable storage space without excessive installation costs.
Arches and custom shapes can level up a shower niche into a unique architectural detail and focal point. However, they may not always be optimized for storage and are more expensive to install.
A shower niche can be framed and accented to add personality and visual interest to the bathroom space. Framing a shower niche with tile or adding tile inlay designs can elevate the look of your bathroom in multiple ways. If you are using matching tile, the frame can add a pop of color. If you are using contrasting tile, the frame can emphasize the contrast.
As the name implies, lighted shower niches have built-in illumination. Lighted shower niches can add both drama and practicality to bathroom spaces. They offer the most value if you plan to have dim lights in your bathroom or simply want a bit of extra lighting inside the shower.
Keep in mind, though, that lighted shower niches require waterproof LED systems and professional installation to meet safety codes, both of which can increase their cost in a bathroom remodel.
Hogan Design & Construction has been serving homeowners in the greater Chicago area and southern Wisconsin for 25 years. We specialize in custom remodels that can transform your home and increase your everyday quality of life.
As a design-build firm, we have in-house designers who can find the perfect approach for a shower niche that meets your needs and reflects your personal style. We also have skilled craftspeople and project managers who ensure that tile is installed to the highest standard, optimizing the look and performance of your new shower.
If you're considering a bathroom remodel, we encourage you to learn more about our process, take a look at our portfolio, and contact us to schedule a consultation.