Your Tile Shower Needs a Niche
3 pros!
Consider installing a tile storage niche in your shower during your next bathroom remodel.
Conditioner, shampoo, body wash and shaving gel are just a few of the everyday products we love to keep handy in the shower. The problem is storing these must-haves in a way that still leaves your bathroom feeling clean and clutter-free.
This is why we make a point to talk about tile shower niches with visitors who come into our Manhattan showroom. A shower niche is an often-overlooked design element that can leave you feeling much happier about your bathroom remodel.
Benefits of a tile shower niche
Clients who opt for a niche see many advantages; the most obvious is storage. Who wants to see their bath products on the floor or unorganized in a corner? Not me. Niches give your shampoo, conditioner and other items a home.
Bathroom tile tip
When choosing tiles, be aware of how the tile will fill the niche space. Ideally, the tile will fit symmetrically around the niche for a clean look.
Another advantage of opting for a niche is in the design. A shower niche can catch your eye and add flair to the shower while accentuating the bathroom’s overall look. It’s also a chance to repeat a unique tile or pattern used in the overall design. Want to make your niche a focal point? Try adding contrasting tiles.
Niches can be considered art in an otherwise empty space. When niches highlight a shower design, their seemingly understated presence gives the shower a bolder and more beautiful end result. When designing your niche, however, there are three important details to consider.
1. Location of the shower niche
Homeowners have flexibility to customize the location of the niche to the space. Looking for lots of storage? A niche can wrap around the wall, connecting to adjacent walls. Prefer something subtler? Position your niche on the smallest wall of your shower.
Bathroom tile tip
If you’re adding a niche to an existing shower, consider the width of the beams and location of any plumbing. It will be significantly easier to make your niche fit your space if you plan ahead.
In addition to considering the wall placement of the niche, it’s also important to think about height. Be mindful of placing the niche at the right height from the floor so you won’t have to reach too high or low to use your bathroom products.
If you’re installing a niche in a shower/tub combination, position the niche so you can access bath products easily whether you’re taking a bath or a shower. In a family home, a slightly lower height will allow kids to reach everything safely.
2. Size of the tile shower niche
Once you decide on the location of your niche, it’s time to finalize the size of the cubby. Homeowners should measure the tallest of their favorite bath products and make the niche at least 1-inch taller. This way you can ensure everything fits perfectly in the new storage space.
3. Drainage for the shower niche
With water splashing all around, it’s no surprise that shower niches can hold moisture. To avoid creating a stagnant pool, make your niche angle forward so it sheds water properly. The niche tiles should tip out toward the shower and in the direction of the drain.
Niches are very versatile, and they look natural in just about any shower design. It’s a practical feature you’ll thank yourself for adding.
Are you thinking about adding a shower niche during a bathroom remodel? Share your ideas in the comments section below!
As of October 20, 2016, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.
