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Create a luxurious and functional, hotel-inspired haven.
A shower niche is a storage solution that allows you to store soap, shampoo or decorative items in a sleek, minimal and stylish way. While more of us than ever are choosing to prioritise a larger and luxurious shower space, rather than going for a large sprawling roll top, it's no wonder we're investing more time and money into making our shower experience as pleasant as possible.
'Shower niches offer a seamless storage solution for modern-day bathrooms,' says Jorge Hernandez, head of product design at Crosswater. 'Designed for dry or solid wall installation, shower niches are recessed into the wall, providing additional storage for your in-shower essentials.'
If you're designing a new bathroom, you'll need to consider your shower niche from the start of the planning process. You will need to install a stud wall, from which your shower niche can be inserted. While this does mean you'll loose a few inches of floorspace, the sleek and streamlined end result is well worth it.
'The beauty of a shower niche is that it eliminates the need for bulky shower caddies or corner shelves, keeping the space uncluttered and clean,' says Isabel Fernandez from Quorn Stone. A shower niche provides a luxurious, hotel-inspired feel. Without shower caddies or precarious stick-on wall shelves, your shower space appears more refined, sophisticated and grown up.
While being a practical storage solution, they can also be used to display decorative items and create a focal point in your bathroom. 'A shower niche can be more than just a shelf, it can be treated like a canvas. It's where practicality meets design, where you can showcase your style and keep things tidy at the same time,' says Daniela Venturini, art director and trend forecaster at Wayfair.
Check out these 10 shower niche design ideas and discover how you can incorporate one in your bathroom scheme...
Ensure your shower niche fits in perfectly with the rest of your scheme by choosing a design in the same colour and texture as the rest of your hardware. Here, the shower, valve and basin are all matt black, so the matt black niche blends in seamlessly.
'A stainless-steel niche is a great, practical choice as it's the easiest material to clean and dry,' says Jorge at Crosswater.
Pictured: Matt black shower niche from Crosswater
If you've used patterned or coloured tiles in your bathroom, use them within your shower niche to pull your room scheme together and create a space that feels complete. This is a great way to use up any leftover tiles, making for an addition that's low cost but high impact.
Freestanding baths can look great but they can pose problems when it comes to storage.
'You can install a shower niche next to your freestanding or showering bath to provide convenient access to your soap and shampoo,' says Jorge.
Unlike side tables or caddies, this takes up minimal space in your bathroom and maintains a clean and refined look.
Pictured: Brushed stainless steel shower niche from Crosswater
Create a design feature from your shower niche by framing it to match the rest of your hardware.
'We are seeing more homeowners opt for a shower niche by cutting their large format tiles down to the size, shape, or design of the niche,' says Isabel from Quorn Stone. 'Adding a gold tile trim to your niche will instantly elevate your shower space and create a feature of this nook.'
Pictured: Athena marble effect porcelain tiles from Quorn Stone
A bathroom niche needn't be reserved for practical purposes, it can provide a space to show off your personality with trinkets and decorations.
With an attractive arched design, this niche is the perfect centrepiece for displaying plants, flowers and candles. It provides a display shelf where you can chop and change your look as often as you like. Position centrally above your bath to form a focal point in your room.
Pictured: Black roll top bath from Wayfair
Concrete-effect walls are great for a smooth, organic and simple bathroom design. Keep those minimal vibes going by incorporating a shower niche that blends in seamlessly with the rest of your wall.
In this contemporary wet room, the shower niche is almost invisible against the wall, providing storage with minimal fuss for a calm and relaxing feel.
Whether it's metro tiles, penny tiles or fish scale tiles, laying shaped tiles in a repeated pattern is an ornate and luxurious way to decorate your shower wall. 'A herringbone tile pattern can add subtle visual interest and depth without overwhelming the space,' says Claire Garner of Claire Garner Interiors.
Continuing the pattern on your shower niche will require the skill of a professional tiler, but the result is well worth it. Use a large single tile or panel for the shelf to avoid the grout becoming tarnished and wearing away due to water.
Pictured: Shower room by Claire Garner Interiors
Highlight your niche with integrated, waterproof lighting to add an extra dimension to your scheme. 'Incorporating soft, integrated LED lighting within the niche enhances both functionality and design,' says Claire. 'A light will illuminate your items and make it easier to locate them during your shower routine. It will also transform your niche into a design feature that adds a warm, inviting glow.'
Positioning a mirror within your shower niche is the perfect way to visually expand your space.
If your bathroom is on the smaller side, reflective surfaces like mirrors can help to bounce light around the room to make it feel bigger and brighter. For best results, place your mirrored niche opposite your window to enhance natural light.
If you're covering your shower wall with large format tiles, carving out a niche where a tile would otherwise sit is the perfect way to form a neat and streamlined look. Here, the tall slim shower niche is as much a design feature as it is a practical storage solution, maintaining the shower room's sleek and minimal finish.
'Choosing the right position for your shower niche is key. Try to place it as close to eye level as possible, to make it easy to see and grab your soap,' says Daniela at Wayfair. 'Match your niche to your tile for a seamless look.'
Pictured: Vitalio shower system from Grohe
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