Good design makes life easier. What could be better than a comforting shower with all the necessary toiletries close at hand? Forget about hanging shelves or clutter, and go for a functional and elegant design.
Good design makes life easier. What could be better than a comforting shower with all the necessary toiletries close at hand? Forget about hanging shelves or clutter, and go for a functional and elegant design.
The aesthetics of the modern bathroom lies in its dual function and combination of functionality and pleasure. For this, it is essential that all the compositional elements of the room are correctly aligned. There, the niche plays a key role: it eliminates unsightly brackets that are hung on shower heads, or screwed. In addition, the bathroom niche improves health and safety measures.
If you are thinking of renovating your bathroom, or even have to design it from scratch, in bathroom trends 2025 you are sure to find many ideas. Likewise, if you stay reading this post you will also discover how integrating the niche, you will transform your bathroom. Throughout this article, we are going to talk about the advantages of the niche, possible designs and decorating them.
A niche is a small recessed area in the shower wall. It is designed to store toiletries such as shampoo, gel or other toiletries. The niche is a popular design element in modern bathrooms that provides a sleek and dynamic look. Shower niches keep bathroom essentials organized and easily accessible. At the same time they free up space on the shower floor and reduce clutter.
As we’ll see below, shower niches are customized with a variety of materials and finishes, achieving unique spaces. We will show you some examples of a shower niche made with Porcelanosa Grupo wall tiles.
These are some of the advantages of a niche:
#01 More storageOne of the main advantages of having a niche in the shower is the extra storage. You could use it for store toiletries, towels and more. #02 Space optimizationif you have a small bathroom, installing a niche will allow you to make the most of the space you have. #03 DecorationA niche enhances the look of the space and makes it more personal. It brings a touch of style and originality to the area. Integrated lighting will enhance your design. #04 FunctionalityThis element is incredibly practical. Use it for soap or sponges, or for decorative elements such as scented candles. This way, you get spaces with a spa-like look, which incite to a quiet bath.
The niche enhances the quality and architectural creativity of a bathroom. With a single shallow recess in one of the walls, it suggests greater depth within the space. The niche does not need to be near the shower. It can be placed near the toilet or bathtub. This will add personality to the room.
Here are some ideas about what shower niches can look like:
1. The bigger the better. To be useful, the shower niche must house toiletries: gels, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. Therefore, the minimum height of the built-in niches should be between 34 and 36 cm. However, if you have space, place a larger niche. Remember to keep the height of the shelf at a comfortable distance from the shower tray, i.e. approximately 120 cm.
2. Wall-to-wall. If you prefer a minimalist design and have a penchant for tidiness, opt for the long style niche. The recessed niche can occupy the entire width of the shower stall, wall-to-wall. Alternatively, create an elongated recess that sits on one of the shower walls with space on both sides. Additional storage is always welcome in bathrooms.
3. Arched. Create an architectural element with a rounded arch-style opening. The look can be enhanced with ceramic tile or other materials to match – or not match – the shower enclosure. For example, you can use mosaics, natural stone or porcelain tile. At L’ Antic Colonial and XTONE they have many designs in these product ranges. It all depends on the style and dimensions of the element itself. Surely with this original shape for the niche, your bathroom will not go unnoticed.
5. Small but perfectly formed. When you want more subtle approach to the design, then better a small niche. Make sure that the width and height of the shower niche align with the ceramic tiles or other cladding for a harmonious finish.
6. Gain space. Some structures allow for a wide and deep niche, but not all. But there are different ways to maximize your capacity. Stud walls offer some flexibility. One effective option is to add a wrap-around frame that overhangs. By installing the base tiles beyond the wall, you create a visual effect of greater depth. If you do this on the sides and top, you will have a fully integrated, functional and harmonious niche.
7. Asymmetrical. It is not necessary to place the bathroom niche symmetrically. It can be combined with other elements, such as a window sill or a built-in shelf. It doesn’t matter where it is placed. In this case, the point is to take advantage and place a niche in a bathroom with light. Thus, you will achieve a warm and personal atmosphere, taking advantage of the holes already available. You can place it off-center to achieve a more spectacular effect.
Note: Always make sure your niche shelves are sloped to prevent water from collecting in the recess. Achieve this easily with an angled tile.
The dimensions of your bathroom niche will depend on the type of wall construction. With a stud wall, either wood or metal, you can easily create a space for a shallow niche. Make sure there are no electrical wires or pipes in the desired area.
For block walls, however, the construction is slightly different. Build a framed section of the wall that incorporates the niche, leaving the gap where the original was. Be sure to use moisture-resistant drywall and sealing tape. Remember that the standard depth of a shower niche can be as little as 7 cm.
Depending on the configuration of the bathroom, you can create a niche near a piece of furniture or other room element.
Freestanding bathtub Koan 165×78 cmToilet Rimless Acro 49 cm
The bathroom niche is not just for showers. The recessed niche can be placed in a number of useful positions around the bathroom to provide storage. A practical example is over the toilet, especially if the sanitary fixture has a concealed cistern. The storage niche allows for a practical wall treatment and takes advantage of the recess above the protruding shelf that houses the cistern. It is a perfect place to store towels, bathrobes or other bulky items.
Other useful niche locations include the wall adjacent to a freestanding bathtub. This choice is perfect for storing items and candles that elevate the bathing experience. Install the niche near waist height so you can easily reach the deposited items. You’ll find that this will break up the monotony of the bathroom wall and add visual interest.
Another option is to integrate a niche (or several) with the bathroom furniture. From a structural point of view, these are the most practical niches for a standard bathroom. No invasive construction work is required. Simply build a section of wall to frame the width of the vanity and then add shelving to the excess space. Add lighting details for a functional effect.
Bathtub Marne Basic Gloss White (Noken).
Placing a bathroom niche is a great excuse to create a design environment. In general, this niche is lined with the same material as the shower enclosure. Although as we have seen before, it does not need to be so. You will still get an elegant and original finish if you opt for a contrasting tile or finish.
Note: Each side of the niche should incorporate a waterproof finish or profile that matches the tiles or highlights.
To finish off the design of a niche, we explain how you can decorate it:
#01 Tiling: use the dimensions of the tile, and the pattern if applicable, to perfectly integrate the niche into the shower.
#02 Shelves: include the shelves you need and place the most visually appealing containers so that they are visible.
#03 Lighting: Make sure your shower or bath niche has integrated lighting. The best approach is to include indirect lighting.
#04 Verticality: for a practical and uncomplicated shower niche, replace a storage cabinet with a vertical unit. You’ll see how you achieve a unique result.
Have you already decided what you want your bathroom niche to look like? As you may have realized after reading this post, niches are an aesthetic and functional solution that optimizes space in the bathroom, providing order and style. With multiple designs and materials, they adapt to any decorative style, so take advantage of their advantages and give a unique touch to your space!