15 Apr 2023, Read Time : 6 Min

Tile Shower Niche Questions Answered by Tile Experts

Who does not like relaxing under the spray of the shower either getting ready for the day in the morning or relaxing at the end of the day? Now imagine tripping over shampoo or knocking over your lotions and body washes and all other bottles. Doesn’t sound so relaxing, does it?

Yes, there are many options for storing this paraphernalia – whether bathroom containers, shower caddies, or storage racks to save your floor space. Bathroom fixtures tend to either rot, rust, lose their grip, fall, or present an ambient environment for mildew, bugs and such. 

So, what might be the best option here?

A shower niche is the simplest and neatest way to save space and maintain a clutter-free bathroom. It is an amazing way to personalise your bathroom and make it stylish and chic. Built-in shower niches are a great way to handle storage problems in the bathrooms and create a relaxing and calming environment.

When you want to design a niche there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. If you want to get rid of your messy storage racks and shower caddies, here are some of the most common questions asked about shower niches.

What are the types of shower niches?

Shower niches can be two types: ready-made and installed or customised ones that are designed with tiles. A preformed niche has a sealed waterproof box which removes the need of installing a waterproofing membrane in the interior. The surface of this box is coated with a material that can adhere to the surface of the mortar with ease.

However, a tiled shower niche is an install-once-and-forget type of solution. Once you have laid the tiles, they will lead to a beautiful and well-finished basketweave-like tile inset.

Preformed shower niches also have a limitation in the size and the number of things that can be stored. Even the largest options may not be sufficient enough for your storage solution, especially in a large family. This is where a custom tiled shower-niche can be a better solution. 

How can shower niches be customised?

A good solution that lies at the intersection of functionality and style is the custom built-in shower niche. If you want your shower to be functional and look like a spa then a tiled custom built-in shower niche is definitely the best option for you. Here are some tips:

1. Custom built-in shower niches allow you to create creative shower designs and can still be quite flexible in matters of storage. If you are a larger family, you can have multiple shelves on which you can store various items that would generally not fit in a ready-to-use niche.
2.  Use professional help from a builder to get this niche installed. It is necessary to use a waterproofing membrane on the shower wall before you can continue with the tile. If you plan to construct a large horizontal niche then you may have to construct a parallel wall as well.
3. Choose the right wall space to help you get maximum space for the niche.
4. Use different coloured or patterns of bathroom tiles in the niche to give it a good design.

This type of niche is generally costlier than the regular ones, it is still a good expense as it can create a bathroom that is comfortable and highly usable. Remember, it is always better to get custom things than to adjust your paraphernalia later. 

Which wall is suitable to mount a shower niche?

It is necessary to choose the correct wall while installing your shower mount. It will help you maintain the durability and integrity of your shower wall. Before you commit to any design or layout, it is necessary to check whether the niche will interact with any electrical or plumbing behind the wall. 

It is also important to check whether the niche is being mounted on an outside wall or not. It is best to avoid installing a shower mount on any outside wall. It is better to be safe so that even in the case of moisture, your shower niche stays waterproof.

What size shower niche should I choose?

If you want to choose a custom built-in niche instead of a preformed one, you might be confused about the size of the niche. There is no one “right size” as the size completely depends on the storage that you need, whether the niche is vertical or horizontal, and whether you prefer practicality over aesthetics and vice versa.

 If you choose a custom horizontal shower niche, the shower storage can increase a lot, however, such shower niches will require a lot of structural integrity. If you don’t want to pay for structural fortifications, you can choose to install a vertical shower niche instead. You can make the vertical shower niche as tall as the ceiling.

A vertical shower niche with built-in shelves will help you have a lot of storage, especially if you have a large family. However, if you are short or have kids, it is recommended to keep the height in such a way that it suits everyone.

The higher the niche, the more shelves you can put in. Do keep the shelves well-oriented so that they can accommodate even larger bottles.

How should I position a shower niche?

A practical approach toward a shower niche would be something that looks good and is easily accessible. 

If you feel that water might constantly spray into the niche then it is recommended to keep it away from the valve wall. Do not place your shower niche in a splash zone as this may lead to the development of mildew. You can install the shower niche right opposite the shower head as it will keep it safe and clean.

How should one style a tile shower niche?

There are many different options that can be used in your bathroom to create a stunning shower niche with a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and design. There are no hard and fast rules to choose or follow while designing a shower niche. 

1. Vertical shower niches look good with patterned tiles while horizontal niches look amazing with broad and long tiles. 
2. If you want your shower niche to stand out more, you can choose to install and mix and match different textures, patterns, and colours. This will add a visual depth to your shower niche and will look stunning. 
3. If you want to try a more inconspicuous and monochromatic style you can choose to install a shower niche that follows the tile scheme in the rest of your bathroom. It ultimately depends on you whether you want to go bold or stay simple.

Whatever style you choose, it is always recommended to choose a tile that is good for the shower and suitable for use on the bathroom wall. A tile shower niche might seem to be a small detail in your house, but it can play an integral role in how your shower functions. Once you have decided on the shape, size, and location of the tile shower niche, you can choose tiles and colours with ease.

These pointers about tile shower niches will surely guide you and inspire you to make a tile shower nice of your own. 

How Can Orientbell Tiles Help?

With our large collection of shower tiles, you can be assured that you will find a tile that matches all your requirements, be it in terms of material, colour, design, finish, or size. You can browse and purchase from our collection of tiles online or at a store near you. Be sure to use TriaLook to visualise the tiles in your space before making a choice. If you have a design in mind and are looking for similar tiles, upload your picture on SameLook and our tool will provide you with a list of tiles that match the aesthetic of your image.