Are you struggling with a cluttered shower, products out of reach or constantly falling over? A well-planned tile shower niche is the perfect answer for an organized, practical, and elevated bathroom.
A shower niche is basically just a tiled shower with shelves built in to house all of the shower essentials. Before even thinking about how to tile a niche, proper planning is vital in making sure it’s not only beautiful and functional, but also long lasting. In this guide, we’ll cover key considerations, design options, and common mistakes to avoid so you can get the most out of your shower niche.
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Benefits of a Shower Niche
A bathroom shower niche provides sleek storage, reduces clutter, and enhances the overall bathroom design. With proper planning, tile niches eliminate the need for clunky shower caddies, keeping your shower essentials in a beautiful and thoughtful dedicated space. The options are endless with shower niche tile, so you can create a custom look that integrates seamlessly and adds visual appeal.
- Sleek and Clutter-Free Storage: keep soaps, shampoos, and razors off the floor or tiny bathtub ledges, making the space feel more clean and organized
- Enhances Bathroom Aesthetics: a well-placed bathroom niche adds interest and complements the overall design of the space
- Customizable to Your Needs: in addition to the size, number, and placement of the shower wall niche, you can choose tile color, shape, and scale for a truly tailored storage solution
Considerations For Your Bathroom Tile Niche
Before you start shower niche tiling, careful planning and consideration is key. When thinking about size and placement, try to envision yourself using the space. Will the height of the shower niche shelf accommodate all members of the family? Will it adequately fit all of your shower essentials without looking overcrowded? Planning ahead ensures the shower niche aligns with grout lines, meets storage needs, and blends seamlessly with the rest of the shower design.
- What do you need to store: consider the number of products and their sizes to make sure everything fits comfortably
- Do you want the niche to blend in or stand out: use the same or matching tile for a subtle niche, or contrasting tile for a more bold focal point
- What size niche do you need: standard sized niches work for most, but if you have specialty products or multiple family members, consider a larger niche
- Should you have more than one niche: for family bathrooms, incorporating multiple niches can separate items and help the shower niche not feel so crowded
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How to Plan Your Tile Shower Niche
Planning a functional and stylish shower niche involves choosing the right size, determining the ideal height, and ensuring proper waterproofing. When determining where to put the shower niche, start by measuring the space, thinking through any aesthetic considerations, accessibility, and practical needs. If you are working within an existing tiled shower, aim to match the tile layout for a seamless finish.
- Measure for size: measure the space to determine the best size and placement of the niche, keeping in mind the location of your wall studs
- Determine ideal height: place the niche at a comfortable height for those who will use it most, ideally between chest and eye level
- Plan for waterproofing: to avoid water seeping behind the tiles and creating damage over time, apply a layer of liquid waterproofing membrane to the entire niche, focusing on corners and seams
- Match your tile layout: work with the existing tile layout and grout lines for a cohesive, intentional, and polished look
Where to Place a Shower Niche
When planning out a niche for your shower, the right placement can make a big difference in the overall aesthetic and ease of use. You can either prioritize symmetry by placing the niche opposite the showerhead, or prioritize convenience by placing it alongside the wall for easier access. Corner niches are a great option too for maximizing space in smaller showers. Whichever position you choose, avoid areas that receive direct water spray to limit chances of water damage over time and make cleaning easier.
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Popular Shower Niche Design Ideas
Shower niches and shelves are more than just storage solutions, they give you the opportunity to add personality to your shower by using colorful tiles, creative layouts, and unique patterns. When tiling a niche in a shower, there are many features to consider in addition to size, such as the framing, orientation, and tile color and pattern. A carefully considered niche in the shower has the power to elevate the bathroom for a truly custom, high-end feel that is just as functional as it is beautiful.
- Single vs. Multiple: single niches are the most common, but can easily get crowded; multiple niches allow for dedicated storage for different family members or product types
- Horizontal vs. Vertical: long, horizontal niches allow for ample storage in larger showers, while vertical niches with multiple shelves will maximize storage in compact showers
- Framed vs. Frameless: to make your shower niche pop, consider a frame with a decorative border; for a more seamless look, opt for a frameless niche to blend in with the surroundings
- Contrast vs. Cohesive: contrasting tile color and pattern will turn the niche into a bold focal point, while matching tile maintains a subtle, blended look
Pops of Color
One of our favorite ways to transform your bathroom into a tranquil oasis is by incorporating a splash of vibrant blue or a rich jewel tone. Shower niches give you the perfect opportunity to add a bold pop of color without redoing your entire shower. You can also play with mosaic tiles or bold bathroom tile designs to create a striking contrast against more neutral shower walls.
Ombre Niche
Tiling a shower niche in an ombre design that blends light to dark creates a stunning gradient effect that evokes a sense of water-like flow. To achieve this look, use varied tile shades within the same color family for a smooth transition that adds depth and elegance. Organic, curved shapes like fish scale tile or wave tile work best for creating that natural movement.
Floor to Wall Tile
One of our favorite walk-in shower tile ideas is to extend the floor tiles into the shower niche to create cohesion and a custom, built-in feel. This design trick enhances the visual flow by making the niche feel like a natural extension of the shower. Whether you are opting for a more neutral space or something more playful, floor to wall tile creates a polished look and makes the space feel more intentional.
Monochromatic Moment
For the ultimate sleek and sophisticated look, complement the existing shower with a monochromatic tile niche. Use the same color tile in a different texture or finish to create that subtle depth and visual interest. Artisan-made ceramic tile is perfectly imperfect and naturally creates this subtly varied look, resulting in a unique aesthetic appeal and overall cohesion.
Whether you have a clear vision already or want guidance from an expert, we can help you design the shower of your dreams.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When it comes to how to tile a shower niche, the first and most important step is thoughtful planning. Without it, you may end up with a shower niche that is inconvenient and poorly functioning, awkwardly placed resulting in a disjointed design, or susceptible to water damage. Let’s cover some common errors to create a shower niche that’s practical, visually seamless, and long lasting.
- Placing the niche too high or too low: a niche that is placed at the wrong height will limit convenience and ease of use, defeating its primary purpose
- Installing it in the direct water stream: installing a shower niche in spot that is in constant exposure to running water will increase the risk of water damage over time, even with proper waterproofing
- Skipping waterproofing: without a waterproof seal, shower niches become an easy target for leaks, resulting in mold and other damage behind the tile, an irritating and costly problem to fix
- Hasty installation with uneven grout lines: rushing the installation process can result in uneven grout lines and misaligned tile, resulting in a less professional look
Elevate Your Shower Niche with Artisan Tile from Mercury Mosaics
Shower niches are more than simple storage solutions. They give you the chance to enhance the space with an elegant design feature. Whether you prefer a cohesive look that blends with the existing shower or a more bold contrast, with careful planning and consideration you can create a functional and stunning shower niche.
At Mercury Mosaics, our handmade tile process results in a beautiful, durable, and one-of-a-kind tile each time. With plenty of colors and patterns to choose from, we make it easy for homeowners to create a truly unique shower niche that reflects their personality and design vision. From intricate geometric mosaics to classic subway tile to stunning ombre designs, check out our bathroom tile photo gallery for even more inspiration.
Ready to elevate your space and bring your vision to life? Reach out to our experts today for a free quote or design consultation.
