How High Should a Shower Niche Be Installed

How high is a nice niche?

Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images
Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images
Stephanie Mickelson
Written by Stephanie Mickelson
Contributing Writer
Updated Jun 16, 2025
Highlights

  • Shower niche height can vary, but it’s normally between 36 and 60 inches from the floor.

  • You can customize the shower niche height to those who will use the shower the most.

  • Consider how many products you’ll be storing, the type of products, and the tile design when determining the best shower niche size. 

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Tile shower niches create a great place to store shower supplies and act as a design feature. They can include shelves and a tiled back to seamlessly blend with the shower design. Creating the perfect shower niche requires asking the question “how high should a shower niche be?” Ultimately, the right height depends on who will be using the shower niches as well as a few other considerations.

Shower niche heights illustrated and compared, including 36 inches, 48 inches, and 60 inches

How High Should a Shower Niche Be?

A common height for a shower niche is four feet (48 inches) from the bottom of the shower, but this height can be adjusted based on your specific needs. For instance, if you line it up with the tile to reduce the number of cuts, you can adjust the height. Installing a shower niche between 36 and 60 inches will typically work for most average-height adults.

Considerations for How High a Shower Niche Should Be

There are some suggested sizes and heights for a shower niche, but in reality, it depends on a few different factors.

  • What are you storing? If you’re storing large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, or body wash, you’ll need to opt for a taller shower niche. If you’re storing soaps or other low-profile products, you can go shorter.

  • Who will be using it? Standard height niches are great if everyone in your family is tall enough to reach them. But if small children or someone who needs a shower seat will be using it, you should consider the best height for everyone, or install multiple niches at different heights.

  • How much are you storing? For single people or small families, a single shower niche may work, but a home with lots of people should consider installing a large shower niche or even opt for more than one.

  • What type of tiles are you installing? While this might not seem like the most important consideration, if you line up the shower niche with where a line of tile naturally ends, it will reduce the number of cuts you need to make during installation. 

  • How much do you have in the budget? Installing a shower costs between $4,441 and $12,365, and adding a shower niche can increase the cost. That means that it’s important to consider your budget when planning your shower niche.

If you’re still not sure how big or how high your shower niche should be, consult with a local shower installer who can walk you through the different factors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The number of shower niches you need (or want) depends on the size of the shower and how many bathroom products you plan on storing. If you keep it simple with just soap and shampoo, the one shower niche will probably do the trick. But if you’re adding scrubs and soaks, you may need to think about installing two or more.

Shower niches can be placed anywhere they will be most accessible for those in the shower. A shower niche should be close enough to the showerhead that it’s convenient to grab products, but not so close that it’s in the direct path of the water. You can also consider the overall shower design and favor symmetry, integrate the niche with the tile design, or hire a bathroom remodeling contractor to help you decide.

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Learn more about our contributor
Stephanie Mickelson
Written by Stephanie Mickelson
Contributing Writer
Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer covering home improvement, real estate, design, and personal finance. Before beginning her freelance career, she worked in residential construction, specifically remodeling kitchens, installing cabinets, flooring, countertops, trim, and more.

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