Smart Design Ideas For a Shower Niche

Nothing will make a shower look worse than a cluttered mess of products with nowhere to put them. You know what I’m talking about; shampoo bottles sitting on the floor of the shower and a flimsy rack suctioned to the wall collecting bacteria—yikes! A quick way to elevate and organize your shower is to install a shower niche. When renovating your bathroom, storage has to be a primary consideration, and this is one of the best ways to keep your shower organized while maintaining a sleek, modern look.

A shower niche may sound like a fancy thing, but it’s simply a built-in shelf that eliminates the need for bulky caddies, wire racks, or corner shelves that can ruin the look of your renovated shower. Whether you're remodeling a small guest bathroom or creating a luxurious spa-like retreat for your master suite, a shower niche is a must!

At HEX General Contractors, we specialize in custom bathroom renovations that balance functionality with high-end design. With decades of experience in this space, here’s our expert take on shower niches and some design ideas for your own home.

Why Install a Shower Niche?

1. Declutters Your Shower

A clean, organized, and sleek shower is possible with a built-in, designated space for your hygiene products.

2. Enhances the Design

A lot of traditional storage solutions in our showers are afterthoughts, but a shower niche integrates your needs with your personal aesthetic for a smart look.

3. Customizable For Your Needs

Whether you need a single niche for the minimal essentials or a double-tiered niche for extra storage, you can choose your own niche layout for your lifestyle.

4. Increases Home Value

Bathrooms are one of the most important areas of a home when it comes to resale value. Features like a well-designed shower niche make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

5. Easy to Maintain

Unlike metal racks that rust or plastic caddies that break over time, a tiled shower niche will last forever and is easy to clean.

How to Design the Perfect Shower Niche

1. The Right Location

Where you place your shower niche depends on both accessibility and water exposure. Consider these options:

• At eye level for easy access to toiletries.

• On a side wall to prevent excessive water splashing inside the niche.

• In a central location for a visually balanced design.

2. The Right Size

The ideal size depends on how much storage you need:

• Standard Niche: 12” x 12” – Fits a few bottles.

• Double Niche: 24” x 12” – Provides separate storage for multiple users.

• Oversized Niche: 24” x 24” or longer – Great for spa-like bathrooms with extensive storage.

3. Frame It

Adding a border or trim creates a polished, professional finish. Popular framing options include:

• Schluter trim – A sleek metal edge for a modern touch.

• Bullnose tile border – A rounded, smooth edge for a seamless look.

• Contrasting tile trim – A pop of color or texture to define the niche.

4. The Right Material

The tile type and grout color that you opt for will determine the overall look and feel of your shower:

• Matching grout blends with the rest of the shower for a subtle effect.

• Contrasting grout highlights the niche and makes the chosen tile pattern stand out.

• Marble tile adds an elegant, spa-like feel.

• Hexagon tile will give your shower a modern touch.

• Glass mosaic beautifully reflects light to create lively depth.

• Herringbone tile provides a stylish pattern that pops.

Creative Shower Niche Ideas

If you want to go beyond the norm, here are some unique ways to upgrade your shower niche:

1. Vertical Double Niches

Instead of a single horizontal shelf, stack two or three smaller niches vertically for a tall, built-in look.

2. Backlit Shower Niches

Install LED lighting into your niche with a soft glow to create a relaxing and elegant ambiance.

3. Hidden Niches

For a minimalist look, place the niche on a side wall out of sight or use the same materials as the rest of the shower for a blended design.

Sacramento’s Bathroom Renovation Experts

A shower niche is more than just a storage solution—it’s a small feature that makes a big difference in function and style. By choosing the right size, location and tile design you can have a space that not only keeps your shower organized but also the entire bathroom. Whether you like a sleek modern look or a bold accent, there’s a shower niche design for you. At HEX General Contractors we specialize in custom bathroom renovations that balance both function and form.

Ready to upgrade your shower with a beautifully designed niche? Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s get your dream bathroom started!