Shower Niche Design Ideas for a Stylish and Organized Bathroom

By - Michelle
08.29.23 05:16 AM
A shower with a rainfall showerhead, handheld wand, and pebble stone shower niches against marble-patterned tiles.
Shower niches have recently become a popular choice for modern bathrooms, and for good reason. If you're considering adding a shower niche to your bathroom, you're making a smart choice. 

What are shower niches?

A close-up of a shower niche outlined in black, set against white tiles, with a black showerhead and faucet visible in the background.

Shower niches are built-in shelves or compartments typically found within a shower. They can enhance the shower space and serve as more than just a storage space. You can store your everyday items inside, such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body wash products, and other items you may need, ensuring convenient storage.

Why Shower Niches are a Good Idea

1. Tidy spaces boost mental well-being

Experts agree that keeping your spaces neat and organized can greatly benefit your mental health. A study in the journal Current Psychology found that messy environments can negatively impact well-being, particularly for women, as clutter can trigger higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone.


2. The shower niche captures the eye as soon as you walk in

Shower niches not only offer practical benefits but also bring elegance and sophistication to any bathroom, serving as an elegant focal point that adds a serious wow factor. You can customize them to fit your bathroom style, whether you prefer a modern look or something more traditional.


3. Shower niche help save valuable shower space

Shower niches are ideal for small bathrooms and tight shower spaces, offering extra storage for your products. You won't have to worry about knocking off shelves or racks with water; the niche takes care of everything while you enjoy a comfortable shower.


4. Incorporating a shower niche in the wall design gives it a smooth, unified appearance

By aligning the niche with the tile pattern, you can achieve a smooth flow that matches the overall theme of the bathroom. This sense of unity makes the space feel more polished and well-designed.


5. Shower niche is designed to withstand constant water exposure and will not rust or decay over time.

Freestanding shower caddies and storage racks can help declutter your bathroom and save floor space, but the reality is these options are often short-term fixes. They risk falling, breaking, or causing accidents, whereas shower niches provide a safer, more permanent solution.

Shower Niches Styles and Options

1. Single Shower Niche

A close-up of a single shower niche with pebble stone tiles inside and marble-patterned tiles.
A custom shower niche with a modern tile design in shades of gray and white against white tiles.

A single shower niche is the simplest and most popular choice, thanks to its clean and minimalistic design. Tiled shower niches add to this appeal, letting you customize their appearance. You can tile them with the same materials as your shower walls for a unified look or pick different tiles for a bold contrast.

  • Custom Shower Niche

For those who want a unique and personalized touch, custom shower niches allow you to create a niche tailored to your specific needs. You can pick the size, shape, and location of the niche to match your preferences and bathroom layout. This option gives you the freedom to be creative while ensuring the niche blends in nicely with your overall design.

  • Horizontal Shower Niche

The horizontal shower niche is a modern and stylish storage solution that runs along the entire shower wall, creating a wide shower niche with ample storage space. This long design provides plenty of room for your daily shower essentials, making it easy to grab what you need. 

A close-up of a horizontal shower niche with pebble stone tiles inside and marble-patterned tiles.
Shower featuring a horizontal niche with pebble tile accents, marble wall tiles, and matching pebble flooring.

The horizontal shower niche is a modern and stylish storage solution that runs along the entire shower wall, creating a wide shower niche with ample storage space. This long design provides plenty of room for your daily shower essentials, making it easy to grab what you need. 

2. Double Shower Niche

For households that share a bathroom or require more storage, a double niche offers the perfect solution. With two compartments, you can easily separate items such as hair care products and body wash, making it both practical and organized.

A double shower niche with small square tiles in shades of brown and beige against beige tiles.
A double shower niche with plain white tiles against a white tiled wall.
A double shower niche with decorative tiles in blue, brown, and white patterns against light blue tiles.

3. Recessed Shower Niche with Shelves

A recessed niche with multiple shelves offers additional layers of storage. This design is ideal for families or those who want to categorize their toiletries by type or purpose.

4. Shower Niche with built-in Lighting

Built-in lighting is a great addition to any shower niche, as it illuminates the contents and creates an inviting ambiance. LED lights are commonly used for this purpose, as they are energy-efficient and can be easily controlled with a dimmer switch. 

4. Vertical Shower Niche

Maximize your shower's vertical space with a vertical shower niche. This design not only offers an elegant focal point for your bathroom but also provides generous storage space for your shower essentials. 

Shower Niche Ideas

Transform your bathroom with these simple and stylish shower niche ideas, perfect for enhancing storage and adding a touch of elegance. Explore the pictures of tiled shower niches featured in this blog to inspire your next bathroom renovation project.

1. Match Wall Tiles

One of the most common shower niche ideas is to use the same wall tile from your shower for the built-in niche to create a seamless look. This design choice is especially effective in smaller spaces, making the area feel larger and more open.

A shower with a single niche where the niche tile matches the marble-patterned wall tile of the shower.
A modern shower with a glass door, featuring a single niche where the beige tile inside the niche matches the surrounding wall tiles. The shower includes grab bars and a built-in bench, with a pebble-patterned floor.
A shower with a single niche where the niche tile matches the white wall tile of the shower.
2. Mosaic Tile accents

Consider decorating your shower niche with mosaic tiles to introduce a splash of color and texture. This idea can transform your shower into a stylish and eye-catching focal point. With an array of colors and patterns available, you have the flexibility to personalize your niche to reflect your unique taste.

A shower with gray wall tiles and a single niche with mosaic tiles inside.
A bathtub shower combo with gray wall tiles and a single niche with mosaic tiles inside.
A shower with gray wall tiles and a single niche with mosaic tiles inside, along with a matching gray tiled floor and slanted ceiling.
3. Hexagonal or Geometric Patterns

Add a modern touch by incorporating hexagonal tiles within the niche. Pair them with contrasting colors for added depth. Hexagonal tiles are a versatile choice, perfect for introducing playful patterns or eye-catching colors to your shower niche, maximizing space while maintaining style.

A close-up of a shower niche with hexagonal mosaic tiles inside and light gray wall tiles.
A bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, marble-patterned wall tiles, and a niche with hexagonal mosaic tiles inside.
A shower with light gray wall tiles, a built-in bench, and a niche with hexagonal mosaic tiles inside.
4. Pebble Tiles for a Natural Look

Bring a spa-like feel to your bathroom with pebble tiles inside the niche. This shower niche idea adds a natural, calming touch to your space, blending seamlessly with neutral wall tiles or offering a striking contrast with bolder colors. It's a simple yet effective way to enhance your bathroom's ambiance.

A shower with beige wall tiles and a single niche with pebble stone tiles inside, matching the pebble stone floor, enclosed by a glass door.
A shower with marble-patterned wall tiles, a handheld shower wand, and two niches with pebble stone tiles inside.
A shower with beige wall tiles and a single niche with pebble stone tiles inside, matching the pebble stone floor.
5. Metallic trim edges

Use metal trim to finish the edges of the shower niche for a neat and polished look. To learn more about different edge options for tile, check out our guide here.

A collage of showers with custom shower niches featuring metallic accents
6. Classic Subway Tiles

Opt for a tiled shower niche with classic subway tiles for a timeless and clean look. This choice blends seamlessly with various bathroom styles, adding both functionality and elegance to your shower space.

A close up picture of a shower niche with classic white subway tiles and black grout, matching the surrounding wall tiles.
A shower with white subway tiles, a blue accent strip, and a single niche with blue subway tiles inside.
A shower with marble-patterned subway wall tiles, black fixtures, and a single niche with matching marble-patterned subway tiles, along with a pebble stone floor.
7. Match Shower Floor

Using the same tile as your shower floor for your shower niche is one of the clever shower niche ideas to ensure a cohesive design. This approach creates a seamless transition from the floor to the walls, enhancing the overall aesthetic and making your bathroom feel more spacious and unified. Whether you have a traditional shower setup or a modern walk in shower, this technique can elevate the design, providing a consistent look throughout the space.

A shower with dark and light gray wall tiles, a single niche with dark gray tiles inside, and a matching dark gray tiled floor and bench.
A shower with light gray wall tiles, a single niche with pebble tiles inside, and a matching pebble stone floor, featuring a built-in bench.
A shower with light gray wall tiles, a single niche with pebble stone tiles inside, and a matching pebble stone floor.
8. accent tile in shower niche

Create a cohesive and stylish look by using accent tile in the shower niche to match the accent stripe on the shower wall. This approach ties the design together beautifully, adding visual interest while maintaining a seamless and polished appearance.

A shower with white subway tiles and a single niche with gray and white tile accents inside, matching the accent strip on the wall.
A tub and shower combination with white subway tiles, a glass door, and a single niche with gray and white tile accents inside, matching the accent strip on the wall.
A shower with marble-patterned wall tiles and a single niche with hexagonal tile accents inside, matching the hexagonal tile accent strip and floor.

FAQs

Shower Niche vs. Shower Caddy

A key difference between a shower niche and a shower caddy is their permanence and aesthetic appeal. While a shower caddy is a temporary fixture that may disrupt your bathroom's design, a shower niche is built into the wall, offering a sleek and tidy look. It provides a lasting storage solution, avoiding the clutter and rust issues associated with caddies.


How deep should my shower niche be?

There is no universal measurement for the ideal depth of a shower niche. However, the general rule of thumb is to have it deep enough to hold your essential items while not protruding too much from the wall. A depth of 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm) is considered suitable for most products, including taller bottles and toiletries.


Can I add multiple niches in one shower?

Yes, you can add multiple niches in one shower if space allows. Multiple niches offer more storage options and allow you to customize according to your needs. However, ensuring proper spacing between the niches is crucial as overcrowding may affect their functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Shower niches are a great option for anyone looking to improve their bathroom experience. They combine practicality, durability, and good looks, making them perfect for keeping everyday shower items organized in open storage space.


If you're planning a full bathroom makeover or just a small upgrade, think about adding a shower niche to your project. It will not only make your daily shower more enjoyable but also increase the value of your home.


If you need assistance with installing a new shower niche or have questions about designing your perfect bathroom, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We're here to help turn your bathroom renovation dreams into reality!