Curious about how to add additional storage to your bathroom remodel, especially your shower area? Consider adding a shower niche! To help you get inspired, here are ten stylish and functional shower niche ideas to inspire your next bathroom remodel. Our team loves shower niches not only because they enhance the aesthetics of your bathroom, but also because they provide valuable storage space. From classic built-in niches to modern floating designs, this post covers a range of options to suit various styles and needs. Let’s dig in.
How Shower Niches Enhance Style and Storage
A well-designed shower niche can transform your bathroom by adding both style and storage. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a more intricate design, incorporating a shower niche can help keep your bathroom organized and clutter-free. A well-designed niche can also create a visual focal point for your shower and an opportunity for a fun pop of specialty tile.
1. Classic Built-In Shower Niche
Before we get into the details, let’s talk through what a shower niche actually is. At its most basic, a shower niche is a recessed shelf built into the wall of your shower, providing a convenient space to store toiletries. This built-in feature can be customized to match your bathroom's design, creating a seamless and cohesive look.
The Benefits of Shower Niches
Shower niches offer several benefits, such as maximizing storage space, keeping your shower organized and eliminating the need for bulky shower caddies or shelving. They also add a touch of sophistication and functionality to your bathroom. We love niches because they add a custom element to your bathroom remodel that elevates the overall look.
Various Material Options
When designing a shower niche, you can choose from a variety of materials such as ceramic tiles, natural stone or glass. Each material offers unique advantages and can be selected to complement your overall bathroom design. Typically the tile is chosen at the same time in the design process as the rest of the bathroom’s tile so that the look is cohesive.
A shower niche is also the perfect place for an accent tile, perhaps in a pattern or complimentary color. Because it’s a small surface area, you can splurge on a specialty tile without having to commit to using it all over.
2. Floating Shower Niche
What Are Floating Niches?
Floating shower niches are designed to appear as if they are suspended in air on the shower wall. This modern and sleek design creates a minimalist look that is both functional and visually appealing. Typically, a floating niche is made of glass so that it truly does give the illusion of floating.
Sleek and Minimalist Design
Floating niches are perfect for contemporary bathrooms, offering a clean and uncluttered appearance. The floating effect can be achieved by carefully installing the niche with hidden supports, creating an illusion of weightlessness. We especially love this look for homeowners who indulge in high-end bath products or decant their toiletries into visually appealing bottles.
How to Achieve a Floating Effect
To create a floating shower niche, precise installation is key. The use of thin materials and hidden brackets help to achieve the desired floating effect, enhancing the overall look of your bathroom. We recommend coordinating the exact placement with your contractor to ensure it’s what you have in mind.
3. Vertical Shower Niche
Utilizing Vertical Space for Storage
Typically, a vertical shower niche is a pre-made storage piece made of multiple shelves that is narrow and tall. Our design team finds that a vertical shower niche is an excellent way to utilize vertical space, especially in smaller bathrooms. This design allows you to store multiple items neatly without taking up tons of horizontal space.
Creating a Statement Piece with Vertical Niches
Vertical niches can serve as a striking design element in your bathroom. By extending the niche from floor to ceiling or framing it with decorative tiles, you can create even more of a focal point.
Placement and Design Considerations
When planning a vertical shower niche, consider the placement carefully to ensure it is easily accessible. Coordinate with your contractor to ensure the niche aligns with your shower fixtures and overall bathroom layout. Be sure to consider the height so that it’s easily reached, too.
4. Mosaic Tile Accent Niche
Adding Visual Interest with Mosaic Tiles
As we touched on earlier, a shower niche is the perfect way to add a pop of pattern. By incorporating mosaic tiles into your shower niche design, you can easily add visual interest through color, texture and pattern. Mosaic tiles come in countless options, allowing you to create a unique and personalized look.
5. Creative Patterns and Color Combinations
With so many amazing tile options on the market now, a shower niche is the perfect way to incorporate an accent through different patterns and color combinations. Incorporating statement tiles can make your mosaic tile niche the ultimate visual statement. Whether you prefer geometric designs, floral patterns or a monochromatic look, mosaic tiles offer endless possibilities!
Combining Functionality and Style
A mosaic tile accent niche not only enhances the aesthetics of your bathroom, but also provides practical storage. After all, that’s the whole purpose of installing a niche! We recommend that you choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain, ensuring your niche remains both beautiful and functional.
6. Shelf-Style Shower Niche
Incorporating Shelf-Style Niches
Shelf-style shower niches feature multiple tiers and are great at providing ample storage for toiletries and shower accessories. These niches are ideal for larger families or those who need extra storage space. We recommend considering this style for a guest bathroom.
Multi-Tiered Shelves for Maximum Storage
By incorporating multiple shelves, you can maximize storage and keep your shower essentials organized. This design is particularly useful for storing different-sized bottles and shower items. Plus if you’re sharing the shower, separate shelves help to keep everyone’s products organized and tidy.
Ideal for Shower Accessories and Decor
Your materials and finishes play a big role in the success of your overall design. For example, sleek, polished marble shelves can create a luxurious, spa-like ambiance, while glass shelves bring a minimalist feel. By incorporating decorative elements like small potted plants and candles, you can personalize your bathroom space, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Additionally, shelf-style niches offer the flexibility to change your bathroom decor over time. You can easily swap out decorative items to refresh the look of your bathroom without the need for extensive renovations. Simply put, niches provide the perfect platform to showcase your style while keeping your shower organized and clutter-free.
7. Niche Seat or Bench
Combining Seating and Storage
Looking to create a spa-like experience in your bathroom? Look no further than a niche seat or bench. The addition of a seat or bench in your shower combines the functionality of a niche with the comfort of a built-in seat. Many people use this style to shave their legs, organize larger quantities of personal care products or simply to add more accessible elements to a guest shower. For example, if you are remodeling an ADU or DADU on your property to create a living space for an older family member, consider adding a niche seat.
Creating a Spa-Like Experience
Here at CRD, we’re all about transforming a bathroom into a luxurious space. Adding a seat or bench to your shower allows you to relax and unwind, making your daily routine more enjoyable. This feature is especially beneficial for those with limited mobility or who prefer a more luxurious shower experience.
Material Options
When designing a niche seat or bench, choose materials that are durable and water-resistant, such as stone or ceramic tiles. These materials ensure your seat remains sturdy and long-lasting. Our team are pros at helping you choose the best materials and are always here to help!
8. Corner Shower Niche
Making Use of Corner Spaces
Our design team are pros at clever storage ideas, no matter the size of the space. One of their favorite ways to sneak in additional storage is with a niche placed in the corner of the shower. Corner shower niches are designed to make efficient use of often overlooked spaces, providing additional storage without taking up too much room. This design is ideal for smaller bathrooms where space is limited, but storage is needed.
Streamlining the Look of Your Bathroom
By incorporating a corner niche, you can streamline the look of your bathroom while also creating a more organized space. This design helps keep your shower essentials within easy reach while maintaining a clean and uncluttered appearance. For a fully streamlined aesthetic, match your niche materials to the rest of the shower.
Designing Corner Niches for Efficiency
As with all other types of shower niches, the key element is making sure they are installed to provide an efficient use of storage space. Work with your contractor to design and place your corner niche so that it fits seamlessly into your shower layout. Be sure to consider the size and placement so that it meets your storage needs and enhances the overall design.
9. Niche with Glass Shelves
Showcasing Items with Glass Shelves
While ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles have become increasingly popular, we still love the look glass brings to a bathroom. Plus, this material is great for use in a niche because it visually floats. If you’re interested in adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your bathroom remodel, consider a shower niche with glass shelves. This style allows you to showcase your shower essentials while creating an open and airy feel.
Glass Shelf Styles and Installation
There are many glass shelf styles to choose from, such as clear, frosted, or tinted. We can all but guarantee there is an option to match your bathroom decor! As with other niche materials, ensure proper installation to prevent water damage and maintain the integrity of the shelves. Additionally, glass shelves can be customized in terms of thickness and edge design, offering further opportunities to personalize your niche.
From classic built-in niches to modern floating designs, each of these 9 shower niche ideas are ready to inspire your next bathroom remodel. Each design offers unique benefits, combining functionality and style to enhance your bathroom space, so it’s just a matter of choosing what feels right for your aesthetic and needs.
At CRD Design Build, we specialize in creating custom bathroom designs tailored to your needs and preferences. If you're ready to transform your bathroom with a stylish and functional shower niche, contact us today to start your remodel journey.
