What is a shower niche?
A shower, or bath, niche is an increasingly trendy and practical addition to newly renovated or designed bathrooms.
Also known as a recessed shower shelf, or built in shelf, bathroom niches are the perfect way to store your shower essentials. In most cases, a bathroom niche is cut into the wall to create extra storage, thereby making a space that is luxurious and free from clutter.
A shower niche that is properly designed and executed makes for a unique design element within your bathroom. When coming up with bathroom niche ideas, it’s important to choose the right style niche for your space. Also consider the size of the niche and its placement.
The different type of bathroom niches
Horizontal niche
The horizontal niche is possibly the most striking of the bathroom niches. Depending on your style, it can span widely across the shower or bath thereby offering an expansive space for storage. This type of niche is the most commonly installed and will require much more extensive renovation expertise than other bathroom niches. If you’re considering installing a horizontal niche in your bathroom, it’s best to consult a bathroom renovation expert before commencing.
Super-tall niche
The super-tall niche is the vertical variety of bathroom niches. By properly planning to incorporate the super tall niche into your shower, you can effectively blend functionality with a truly elegant design element.
The super-tall niche is also a great way to minimise renovation costs, as you remove the need to pay for any additional structural fortifications by extending upwards between the existing wall studs rather than horizontally.
Nib wall bathroom niche
A nib wall is a unique way of creating space in your bathroom. This type of shelving is created by extending out a single wall in your shower or behind your bath, creating a ledge with the same practical purposes as a niche. Nib walls are traditionally larger than a standard niche and run the full length of the shower or bath.
Use the space above the toilet
If your toilet is in your bathroom area you have a unique opportunity to utilise the space above it. Adding a shelf to the wall above the toilet will allow you to use this extra space to store clean towels or add a pop of colour with bathroom appropriate plants.
Shower storage
Basket hangers and suction tubs are a great way to add storage to your shower. These options will keep your hair and beauty products off the floor, for a better overall shower experience.
Alternatively, for a more permanent storage solution, you can request a professional bathroom renovator cut out and tile a recessed shelf that is big enough to hold all your bathroom products.
Tile over niche
The tile over niche is one of the most popular bathroom niche options. The tile over niche needs to be custom constructed into a framed box, which will then be positioned between the wall studs. The bathroom renovator will then need to cover the bathroom wall niche with tile backer board, waterproof it and then tile it using the tiles of your choice. Be sure to work with a professional renovator as this type of niche is time-consuming to build and can be prone to errors.
With the vast majority of bathroom niches being tile over, this is the design option most people will choose. However, some homeowners and bathroom designers may opt for niche insert boxes in various finishes such as chrome, matte black and brushed nickel to suit their personal style.
Shower niche designs
Shower niches are diverse and can be designed to suit your bathroom needs and design concepts. The most important decisions homeowners need to make when considering their shower niche design are size including height and positioning.
Size and height
The size and height of your bathroom niche will depend on your individual needs. It is important to consider how you will use the niche and where it will look best within your bathroom. You may wish for your shower niche to be very tall and vertical or long and horizontal, both of which can be beneficial in your bathroom.
If you are adding a bathroom niche into your shower, the most practical height is likely just above the waist or approximately just under one metre from the ground. This is the most convenient height to be able to reach your shower products easily. In contrast, if you have a bathtub/shower, you will want the height of the bathroom niche to be lower to ensure that bathers can also reach their essential bath products.
Position
Where you position your bathroom niche will determine whether it is designed to be a focal point in your bathroom, a functional element, or both. Determining the positioning of the shower niche is truly a balancing act between functionality and shower design aesthetics and will often require the help of a professional bathroom designer to achieve perfect harmony between the two. As a general rule, it is recommended that your bathroom niche is not positioned on the valve wall as it is directly in the splash zone which may cause water damage in the long run.
Lighting
Adding more lighting is a sure way to create a feeling of luxury and ambience in your bathroom. Your electrician and bathroom installer can work together to come up with a lighting design that emphasises specific areas of your bathroom, and if it suits your style, may install a lighting strip in your bathroom niche.
Niche installation tips
When getting your bathroom niche installed, it’s important to follow all the necessary installation rules.The number one rule for installing a bathroom niche is to ensure it is properly waterproofed and integrates with the waterproofing membrane. Niches that aren’t expertly waterproofed may damage your bathroom going forward.
Additionally, one big mistake home renovators can make is installing the bathroom niche in an outside wall. This can cause serious problems in the long run as in some instances, moisture can build up behind your wall and break away at the study cavities in your wall. It is best to always position your shower niche in an internal wall to minimise the likelihood of any issues.
When done correctly, installing a bathroom wall niche is a fantastic way to improve your shower experience. By working with an experienced bathroom designer and renovator, you will enjoy the peace of mind that your bathroom niche is being installed to the highest standard.
Want niche inspiration?
At Victorian Bathroom Company, our professional and trained team has installed and designed a large number of bathroom niches.
We work with our clients to ensure the bathroom niche meets their functional and design requirements and endeavour to produce the best results every time.
To discuss your dream shower niche designs, give us a call today on (03) 9909 5350 or request a consultation and we will be in touch.
