Why Your Bathroom Needs a Shower Niche
Good design is all about making life easier, the shower niche is one of those nifty ideas that seems like a no-brainer. What could be better than an invigorating shower with all your necessary toiletry products to hand.
The beauty of the modern bathroom lies in its combination of function and pleasure. The shower is a great example, cleansing and practical, it can be either relaxing or energising. So, anything that enhances the shower experience is worth investigating.
We should not overlook the shower niche in that regard. It does away with unsightly caddies hanging from shower heads or screwed to cubicle walls. Additionally, a shower niche improves health and safety measures. And it looks good, in fact, a well-designed niche can be the finishing touch to a beautiful bathroom décor.
Join us on our journey exploring everything you need to know about shower niches, from the installation to the location as well as the decoration.
Shower screen Java 180 NG. MT/TR Frame SG
What is a shower niche?
A shower niche is a small, recessed area in a shower wall that is designed to hold showering essentials such as shampoo, soap, and other toiletries. It is essentially a built-in shelf that is installed into the wall of a shower during construction or remodelling.
Shower niches are a popular design feature in modern bathrooms as they can provide a sleek, streamlined look while also offering practical benefits. They can help keep showering essentials organised and easily accessible, while also freeing up space on the shower floor and reducing clutter. Additionally, shower niches can be customised with various materials and finishes to match the overall aesthetic of the bathroom.
Here are some of the benefits of a bathroom niche:
#01 More storage space: One of the main advantages of having a niche in the shower is the additional storage. You could use it to store toiletries, towels and more.
#02 Optimise your space: If you’ve got a small bathroom, fitting a shower niche makes the most of the space you have. It stops your surfaces from getting cluttered with toiletries and makes for a more convenient, functional bathroom.
#03 Decoration: A shower niche elevates the look of your space and makes it more personal, adding a touch of style and originality to the area. You could add some integrated lighting to take your shower niche design up a notch.
#04 Functionality: shower niches are incredibly practical. You can use them for things like soap or sponges, giving you easy access from the shower or bath, or more decorative items like scented candles to get that coveted spa look.
#05 Easy access: Niches are ideal for storing your everyday products because they’re just at the right height.
Carrara Blanco Brillo 59.6×59.6 cm
Marmol Carrara Blanco 45×120 cm
Shower Niche Ideas
The shower niche adds an architectural quality to bathroom design. With just a shallow recess in one of the walls, there is a suggestion of greater depth within the space. Even a washroom niche can make a powerful statement. There are as many design options for the shower niche as there are bathrooms. The niche doesn’t even have to be in the shower, it can be placed near other artefacts like the WC or the free-standing bathtub.
No matter the location, or the design, the shower niche will add visual interest as well as practical utility to the bathroom. The following ideas represent in general terms the most popular styles of shower niches in UK bathrooms.
1. Bigger is better
To be useful, the shower niche needs to house toiletries, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, lotions etc. Therefore, the minimum height should be between 34 and 36 cm (14 inches). Nevertheless, if you have the space make a statement and add a larger alcove to your shower enclosure. Remember to keep the shelf height at a handy distance off the shower tray, i.e. 120 cm.
2. Wall-to-wall niche
If you prefer minimalist design, with a penchant for order then opt for the long-style niche. A recessed alcove can take up the entire width of the shower stall, from wall to wall. Alternatively, create an elongated recess that sits on one of the shower walls with space on either side. Extra storage is always welcome in bathrooms, especially for attractive toiletry accessories and towels.
3. Arched niches
Make an architectural statement with a rounded arch-style opening. The look can be reinforced by ceramic tiles or other materials to match the shower cladding. With metro-style tiles for example you can make a border around the opening with cut tiles to mimic the classic arch window.
4. Circular niches
Go the whole hogg with a decorative circular niche. The look evokes a Japandi aesthetic with Zen-inspired circular geometry. Shelving is obligatory in a circular niche but can be surprisingly generous with different levels to divide bathroom accessories and toiletries.
5. Small but perfectly formed
If you prefer a more subtle approach to design then keep your niche small. Instead of having seldom-used grooming products cluttering the shower cubicle keep things simple. Coordinate the width and height of the small shower niche to align with the ceramic tile or other cladding treatment.
6. Gain space
Not every structural system allows for a generous deep shower niche. Typically stud wall partitions allow a certain leeway, but you can increase the depth of the alcove by making a protruding surround frame. The tiles that form the base of the alcove sit proud of the surrounding wall. Take the same protruding tile detail up either side of the recess and across the head as well for an integrated shelf feature.
7. Asymmetrical
There is no need to place the niche symmetrically within the cubicle. The shower niche can be paired with other elements such as a windowsill or a built-in ledge to create a composition. You can place it off-centre for a more dramatic effect.
Note: Always ensure that the shelves of your shower niche are laid to a fall to avoid water pooling in the recess. Achieve it easily with an angled tile.
How to Make Space for a Bathroom Niche
The dimensions of your bathroom niche will depend on the type of wall construction. With a stud wall partition, either timber or metal, you can easily carve out space for a shallow alcove. Ensure that there are no electric or plumbing lines in the desired area.
For blockwork walls, the construction is slightly different, build out a framed section from the wall that will incorporate the niche leaving the recess where the original was located. Make sure to use moisture-resistant plasterboard and sealing tape. Remember that the standard depth of a shower niche can be as little as 7 cm (3.5 inches).
Depending on the configuration of your bathroom you can create a niche near a vanity unit or another bathroom artefact. Even as part of small bathroom ideas you don’t necessarily lose any space if you are clever with the layout. The following suggestions feature ways that you can combine storage niches with bathroom artefacts.
Thinking Outside the Box
The bathroom niche is not just for shower cubicles. The recessed alcove can be positioned in several useful positions around the bathroom to provide storage. One practical example is above the WC, especially if the sanitary fitting has a concealed cistern. The storage niche makes for a practical wall treatment and takes advantage of the void over the protruding shelf housing the cistern. Perfect for keeping towels, bathrobes and other bulky items.
Other useful places for a bathroom niche include the wall adjacent to a freestanding bath, perfect for storing toiletries and candles that elevate the bathing experience. Keep the height of the niche close to waist height so you can easily reach for stored items. These niches help to break up a bathroom wall and add visual interest to the wall treatment.
Koan Freestanding bath 165×78 cm
Rimless Acro toilet 49 cm
Alternatively, integrate a niche (or niches) with bathroom vanity units. From a structural point of view, these are the most practical of all niches to add to a standard bathroom. There is no need for invasive construction works. Simply build out a wall section to frame the width of the Wash Hand Basin and then add shelving to the space left over. Add lighting details for the full-on effect.
Arquitect freestanding bath
Arquitect freestanding basins
Decorative Bathroom Niche Ideas
The bathroom niche is a great excuse to be more playful with design. Typically, the shower niche is clad with the same material as the shower enclosure. But it doesn’t have to be. You can also choose a contrasting tile or finish to celebrate the alcove. Nevertheless, the finish must be as impervious to water as the surrounding tiles. The sides and top of the niche must also incorporate a waterproof finish which can match the backing tiles or create contrast.
A bathroom niche on the other hand can be much more whimsical because it doesn’t have to be waterproof. In fact, using a different finish to the surrounding walls helps to define the bathroom niche and adds to the architectural quality of the space. The following ideas will help you decorate your bathroom niche:
#01 Tiled shower niche: use the dimensions of the tile, and the pattern if applicable, to seamlessly integrate the niche with the cubicle.
#02 Include shelving: make sure to add as much shelving as necessary to display all your toiletries, especially for the attractive packaging of modern-day grooming products.
#03 Add lighting: with advances in LED lighting, even a shower niche can have integrated lighting. The best approach is to include indirect lighting that washes over the surfaces of the recess.
#04 Go vertical: for a practical bathroom niche with minimal fuss replace a storage cabinet with a vertical unit that sits into an alcove or beside the boxing out for a downpipe. The look is indistinguishable from the built-in niche.
Design the best shower niche for your bathroom
Are you convinced yet by the shower niche? Although it might seem counterintuitive a niche in a bathroom can radically alter the perception of the space. See for yourself at your nearest Porcelanosa showroom. Make an appointment or drop us a line with any queries regarding the content included here.
