For most people, a recessed shampoo shower niche is an afterthought. And it shows.
This list of Do’s and Don’ts covers the most common sins that I see. Hopefully, you’ll read this before you begin constructing your shower.
DO: Show Off your Shampoo Shelves
Recessed shower niches can be the one thing that draws your eyes towards it. Especially, if it’s centered and has an accent tile in the back.
If you keep your house looking clean and make a statement, then featuring your recessed shampoo niche can be a big plus.
DO: Use Lighted Shower niches
Lighted shower niches are the latest trend and they look great! The two biggest players in this market are:
Both use LED lighting at the top of the niche. If you want to make a statement then these are great options to consider.
DO: Hide the Shower Niches Out of Site
OK. I know this is contradicting the first two points. Hear me out!
As interesting as a shower niche can be the reality for many is that they don’t pour their shampoo into fancy bottles and the niches can look quite cluttered.
If this is you (which is most of us), then you will want to consider putting your recessed shower storage niche out of site. Do you have a half wall that you could tuck it into? What about putting it on a wall that isn’t in a direct line of site?
Being cluttered is what most of us are. Placing the niche out of site is the answer that we are looking for.
DO: Think About How You Will Use your Shampoo Shelves
The purpose of a recessed shampoo niche is for storage. So, think about how you will use yours.
Shower Niche Height
Let’s face it: many families purchase their shampoo at Costco. Assuming you don’t rebottle your shampoo then you will want to ensure that your niche can accommodate your Costco shampoo bottle with the pump handle on top.
Typically, the bottle is 11 inches and you need to get your hand on top. So, keep this in mind when considering the height of the shower niche.
Height from floor
There is no industry standard for shower niche height. Place them where they will work out best for you and your tile pattern.
Width
Depending on your circumstances, the width of your niche may, or may not, be negotiable.
If your shower niche needs to fit in between a stud bay then you will usually be limited to about 12-inches in width.
This is typically enough for two to three bottles of shampoo and whatever else.
Most people would like more horizontal space so you will want to take it if it’s available.
Shower Niche Shelves
Many times, shelves in your shower niche can be a great way of gaining more space. You can make the niche taller and place a shelf somewhere in between.
Sometimes, you only need a portion of the space and don’t need the shower niche shelf to extend all the way across the niche. So, you may consider a smaller shelf in the corner, like a soap shelf.
DO: Incorporate your Tile Niches into the Tile Pattern
I always like to see the recessed shelves work out with the tile pattern rather than look like an afterthought.
This is done by trying to incorporate the niche into the tile pattern. For this reason, it’s typically best to wait to install the niche until you have your tile layout already figured out.
Then you can place the niche where it makes the most sense rather than cut a tile in half just because someone failed to properly plan. There are a lot of shower niche ideas out there that can give you the perfect shower.
DO: Make Sure Your Shower Niches are Waterproof
It’s imperative that your recessed shower niches are waterproof before any tile is installed over them.
It’s not uncommon for me to see someone post their shower remodel on social media and for me to cringe at what I see. Cement board in the niche with no waterproofing and the tiling is in progress.
Preformed Foam Shower Niches
You need your shampoo niche to be waterproof. That’s why, at a minimum, you should consider using a preformed foam shower niche for your project. Further, there are ways to modify your niche, if need be.
Even custom shampoo niches should be completely waterproof before tiling over them.
Recessed shower niches are a likely culprit for leaking. So, it’s imperative that they are waterproofed properly.
DO: Slope the Bottom of the Niche
This is another area where shampoo niches can fail. Because someone didn’t slope the bottom of the niche correctly.
You want the water to drain into the shower. So, you want the bottom of the niche to slope slightly.
Usually, about 1/8 of an inch is perfect for the bottom of the shower niche to slope. This still allows for shampoo bottles to sit on the niche but also for water to drain into the shower.
DO: Consider Putting a Solid Surface Shelf on the Bottom
This is, by no means, required. But sometimes, putting a solid surface piece on the bottom of your niche is a great option.
Sometimes, your bullnose trim tiles are only 3 inches in width so if these are placed on the sill of a niche then they will have a grout joint at the bottom.
If you feel that a grout joint at the bottom of a shower niche is undesirable then you may consider installing one solid piece of quartz, or other material, at the bottom of the niche.
The other advantage of doing so is that you can extend it beyond the niche to increase the shelf space. It can be placed as much as 3/4 inch past the wall tile. This would allow for an increase of storage space with your niche.
DO: Consider a Recessed Foot Niche
You may not have the floor space for a bench to extend into the footprint of your shower floor. However, you may not need a bench with a properly placed foot niche.
What’s a foot niche? It’s a recessed shelf in your shower that is, maybe, 12 inches off the ground that you can place your foot in and shave your legs.
It doesn’t intrude into your shower space but is quite functional. Consider it before you dismiss it.
DO: Make sure the Edges are Finished
Any time the edge of a tile is going to be exposed you need to consider how to finish the edge of the tile. This can be done with bullnose tile, metal edging, or mitering to name but a few options.
No matter what, consider how you will trim the edge of your tiles. Leaving them untrimmed looks like an amateur or home flipper did the work in your home.
Do: Consider Alternatives
Maybe you don’t have a good place to put a recessed shower niche. Maybe two of your walls are exterior walls and the third doesn’t have anywhere to fit a recess.
If this is the case, then you will have to consider alternatives. Lucky for you, there are alternatives.
Shower shelves have come a long way. There are elegant options where you can store your shower bottles up and off of the floor.
You would do well to consider these shower shelf options.
DON’T: Put Shower Niches on an Exterior Wall
Now for a couple of DON’Ts. I mentioned exterior walls above. Exterior walls are not good locations for a recessed shampoo niche.
Thinner 2×4 walls will have virtually no insulation in them if a shower recess is placed in them. Further, 2×6 walls will have approximately 2-inches of insulation, at most.
Exterior walls with a shampoo niche are not good options. I would encourage you to look at interior walls only for your recessed shampoo shelves.
DON’T: Cut any studs unless you absolutely know what you are doing!
It’s very important that you don’t compromise the structure and integrity of your home. Therefore, you do not want to cut any studs in the walls unless you are absolutely sure that it’s OK and will not harm your house.
Get an engineer if you need to. Recessed shampoo shelves should be an asset to your home and not a liability.
Beautiful and Functional Shower Niches
Make sure that your recessed shower niches are not an afterthought.
Beautiful and functional shower niches take a little planning and pay off for years to come!
Leave a Reply