When it comes to building a shower, few people tend to consider shower niches. And if they do, seldom do they know it’s called a ‘shower niche’. Nonetheless, shower niches are known to be one of the trademarks of a well-designed shower and can offer much more than additional storage space.
While a primary purpose of a shower niche is for storage, it can be installed in many forms to:
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Make a design statement
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Be a focal point in the bathroom
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Make a design theme more cohesive
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Operate as a window shelf
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Enhance a lighting scheme
Some important things to keep in mind when it comes to shower niches are:
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Size – Shower niches need not be square. They can extend horizontally or vertically to form a larger square or rectangle.
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Design – Shower niches can either blend into the existing shower tile for a barely-there appearance, or they can stand out with contrasting finish. Some people even opt for a wrap-around niche for a really dramatic look. Consulting your contractor/designer is a great way to decide what would compliment your bathroom’s look best.
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Storage – Shower niches can offer a lot more than a single base shelf on which to place shower essentials. If room and design allows, opt for additional shelves.
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Amount – Who says shower niches need to stand alone? Add two or three shower niches not only multiplies your storage, but it can also make for a really beautiful design.
Important things to keep in mind when your shower niche(s) is being installed are:
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In most cases shower niches should not be against outside walls in cold weather climates as the space should be used for insulation. If an outside wall must be used, be sure to put in some form of polyurethane insulation or the tile may frost up on cold days.
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Tile dimensions are important and it’s best for tile to be symmetric in a niche. Avoid very small tile on one or both sides of a niche.
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Niche may require bullnose tile, especially when using ceramic tile that don’t have color through the clay body. This can be problematic with porcelain but is rarely an issue with stone.
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Niches should be waterproofed with a product like Red Guard to ensure there is proper drainage into the shower area. This is particularly important with mosaic tiles as they tend to be the most problematic.
After doing your due diligence in the research department, present your ideas to your contractor or designer. This will ensure your ideas are carried out and he or she can plan for proper installation during the bathroom or shower remodeling process.
