Do you have a small bathroom, and wish to keep your toiletries safely and uncluttered? Or, do you just want your bathroom very organized despite its small size? To be honest, we are all guilty of storing our entire locker of toiletries in your bathroom itself. As a result, there is a lot of clutter and mess over time. And, no one wants the mess, especially in the bathroom. After all, it’s supposed to be one of the cleanest areas of a home. This is exactly where ideal shower niche height comes into play.
A shower niche is very convenient, particularly for small bathrooms. It offers a simple and easy way to store lotions, shampoo bottles, and other bathroom accessories. They also eliminate the need for racks and caddies. However, you need to know about the appropriate niche height to ensure it perfectly fits your bathroom design. After all, you want your bathroom to have a perfect modern look along with functionality. Isn’t it?
To know the right height of a shower niche, you need to continue reading this article. But before that let’s find out what show niche is.
What are shower niches?
Shower niches are compartments or inbuilt shelves that are specifically made for storing your shampoos, lotions, conditioners, soaps, etc. right inside your shower area. This not only eliminates the requirement of separate standalone racks but also keeps all your shower essentials within a hand’s reach.
If you share bathroom space, you know that there are a lot of problems when it comes to maintaining sufficient space. After all, you need to take care of everyone’s requirements without making a mess. However, shower caddies and shelves can be quite hard to clean.
So, the bathroom niche is your superior solution that’s inexpensive as well. It’s a very helpful feature that enables you to keep your shower accessories in place without even turning to organizers. That too without taking up your too much valuable space. After all, shower niches are perfect to conceal your bathroom objects within the wall of your shower. Likewise, you can even consider installing the right shaving niche height for convenient shaving every morning.
Important Considerations For Right Height of a Shower Niche
There is a wide range of different niche heights. It’s because some people may think of accessibility while others consider aesthetics when creating a shower niche. We recommend considering the practicality before aesthetics. For instance, if you have a shower/tub installation, you need to consider a niche at a low height for easy access while bathing.
Another vital point of consideration is whether kids will use the shower. If so, you need to settle at a perfect height that goes well with kids and grownups. And, for a woman’s shower, you may consider adding a shower niche at a low height so that it doubles as a shower foot niche for shaving their legs. So, it will be quite useful for them.
What should be the ideal height of a shower niche?
If you do not have a tub and take a bath under a shower, the perfect height for having a niche would be at chest level. This is because while taking a shower, you would not want to bend down repeatedly to get hold of one item or the other. Alternatively, having it too high up would mean you would have to raise your feet or even jump a bit to get hold of items, which is not something you might want considering the slippery floor. Hence, the ideal height of the shower niche should be around 48 to 60 inches from the floor for the best efficiency.
On the contrary, a bathtub niche needs to be lower than that of a shower niche. In this case, you need to build the shower niche right across the middle of the tub, at a distance of a few inches. It should be in a position where you can easily access it while taking a cozy bath.
Things to consider when planning a shower niche
Want to create a shower niche size chart or design for your bathroom for the renovation? Before you start it, take a minute and think about it. While it is vital to consider the technical details, such as how to keep the shower niche waterproof, you need to consider proper bathroom and shower design as per aesthetics and functionality. After all, the shower niche is the main design feature in a bathroom.
Here are certain things that you need to consider when planning a shower niche while installing:
1. Pick the right wall
You just have to think about the shower head and how to position it. So, ensure it is not going to pour water just at the shower niche. No one wants water directly spurting into the eyes while showering. So, installing the shower niche on a specific wall is a major consideration to prevent this thing from happening.
2. Check the wires and pipes within a wall
You can install a shower niche in front of water pipes or certain electrical wires. The builder will check wherever the wires and pipes fall within the bathroom walls. When installing a shower niche yourself, you can take the help of a stud finder for checking where pipes and wires are located just behind the wall. So, you need to avoid any damage to them.
3. Install it accurately
As a general rule of thumb, the best shower height to consider is a shower niche with 1200mm from the flooring. So, you can easily put your shampoo bottles and shower products at the right height. If a shower is over a bathtub, it’s convenient to install a shower niche lower to ensure you can reach it directly from the bath.
4. Consider installing the lights
As we say on the recent block, the shower niches are now being set around LED lighting. The benefits of this installation are they add more to the aesthetic appeal and enhance the overall ambiance. Even a professional niche contractor can help you with the right LED lighting strips to fit within the shower niche. Moreover, you can even get it in desired custom shape and size.
5. Think about the shower niche’s size
Consider what specific products you plan for storing within the shower niche. Some off-the-shelf products are not very tall to fit large pump bottles. If you want to store your bathroom products in bulk, you may consider a taller niche size.
6. Choose from vertical or horizontal
The horizontal shower niche height is the most popular. But the vertical ones are also getting installed with glass shelving. It provides an additional shelving area for storing products, and it’s a great option for various showers. However, ensure there is proper niche height from the floor for more convenience.
7. Style the shower niche as per the bathroom aesthetic
The shape and finish of a shower niche will further add to an overall bathroom aesthetic. You also need to keep in mind the right size of a niche in proportion to the shower size. Since shower niches are available in various sizes and shapes, you can install them in any desired form.
The shape and the finish of the shower niche also add up to enhance the overall bathroom aesthetic. This helps in enhancing the proportion of the shower in the size.
So, these are some important points to consider when you want to enhance the visual appeal of your overall bathroom with the right shower niche placement.
How to Make a DIY Shower Niche
It’s a time-consuming project to make a DIY shower niche. But it is not very complex. Here’s a list of certain essential things you require for your project. We have also mentioned the steps to help you complete the project on time.
What you need:
- Framing wood
- A multi-tool
- Tiling supplies
- Tape measure
- ½-inch cement board
- Cement board tape
- Thin-set
- Utility knife
- Miter saw
- Tiles Spacers
- Waterproofing membrane
- Screws
Step 1: Measure the tiles for the accurate height you want
Step 1: Measure the tiles for the accurate height you want
You have to arrange the tiles on a flat surface. Also, add spacers to the right niche height to start with. After that, use a straight board, measure it, and next mark the starting and end of each tile.
Step 2: Niche sizing
You also need to know how big you want your shower niche to be. Once you have the accurate measurements, you can start building it with 2-by-4s.
Step 3: Fit the shower niche in the studs
Now, you have to use plywood for securing the niche in the studs by using screws. You can also use a multi-tool for cutting the bottom side of a cement board for a perfect fit.
Step 4: Add cement board to specific shower niche height
Furthermore, you have to attach a cement board to add the sides of a niche. This will ensure that you measure and cut it properly. You first need to place the top shelves and boards. After that, fix it to the wall.
Step 5: Shelf slopping
You need to take this step for proper shower shelf height so that water runs off. For this, you need to add a row of spaces to the rear. And, use screws for placing the cement board on its top.
Step 6: Make the finishing touches
With finishing touches, we mean that you have to cover all the joints with tape and also seal them using a special sealant. After that, paint and waterproof the membrane on its top.
Step 7: Tiling at a certain height of the shower shelf
You need this final step to ensure that your niche height blends well with the bathroom interior.
- Where should a shower niche be placed?
It is best to position a shower niche from eye level to chest level. It means that its ideal height must be around 48 to 60 inches. Typically, you want to keep the niche between the studs that are often located 16-inches apart. However, various contractors may help you with proper planning of the space to get a custom look.
If you are concerned about symmetry, ideally a horizontally centered shower niche on the back wall is ideal. This installation style enables the niche layout to become more compatible with a shower tile design.
- How tall should a horizontal shower niche be?
The ideal height of a bathtub shower niche must be around 48 to 60 inches. This height is suitable for all adults. Also, keep a 12-by-24 inch space between its studs for storing rinses, shampoos, razors, and scrubbers. However, you can even get the horizontal shower niche customized as per your height or the average height of the family members. This way, it is convenient for all to easily reach out to the items placed in a shower niche.
- Does a shower niche have to be centered?
If you want an asymmetric design, you can consider installing a niche in the center. But otherwise, it is not mandatory to keep a niche in the center only. You can install it off-center as well, depending on your interior design and requirements. It is best to consult with a contractor to decide where exactly to place your shower niche. Moreover, you need to keep in mind the comfort and convenience of yourself and other family members.
When a custom niche is well designed and built, it appears very sturdy and visually appealing. This is a general assumption that’s often made when shower niches are well-framed within a shower wall.
What must be the design of the shower niche?
If you flip through any lifestyle magazine or website, you would come across a plethora of shower niche designs. However, select one that fulfills your needs and the capacity of the bathroom. For example, if you are someone who loves to keep just a couple of bottles and tubs as toiletries, a medium-sized, single-shelved shower niche might be the perfect one.
However, if you are someone who loves to use different body soaps for different moods, various shampoos, and conditioners, and even an essential oil vaporizer, a bigger niche, preferably with more shelves may be the best choice. Also, take into consideration the size of your bathroom. For example, if you have a smaller bathroom, the best thing would be to have a smaller niche with at most two shelves. Furthermore, if you are into different patterns, instead of embedding a regular rectangular or square niche, you can experiment with different patterns and designs, and also with various colors of wall tiles. And in no time, you can have your unique li’l shower niche!
Shower Niche Design Ideas
Given below are some uber-chic shower niche design ideas that you may consider for your contemporary bathroom interior. Have a look.
Marble Shower Niche Height with Three Shelves
The standard shower niche height of this particular marble design is at the chest to eye level while standing. But it’s strictly based on the height of an individual. Generally, it can be of a height of 48 to 60 inches.
Mosaic Walk-In Shower Niche
This particular niche height design is perfect for a wall that’s adjacent or opposite to your shower head. So, you get to easily access it without going out of shower spray. What’s best about this particular niche design is that it goes from end to end.
Marble Shower Niche With LEDs
There are so many things you can customize in this marble shower niche and make it stand out. It further includes adding accent lighting for enhanced aesthetic appeal. The integrated lights stylishly illuminate the niche. Hence, it creates a subtle glow while adding character to your whole bathroom.
Black Frame for Shower Glass Niche
Another chic way to make your shower niche height stand out from a certain point of view is by using contrasting materials. You can use contrasting colors and finishes as well to surround the wall.
Walk-In Shower With Glass Shelves as Niche
If you want the niche height to effortlessly blend into your bathroom interior, you can choose it in the glass. These glass shelves as shower niches are practical and aesthetic at the same time. Plus, these are very easy to reach when placed at an ideal height. The height of the niche must depend on the user.
Glass Panels for Bathroom Niche
This particular shower niche is not exactly at the right shower niche height. But it’s still wonderful due to all the proportions of this niche. It further depends on what plan you use for this specific niche.
Black Bathroom Niche
Want to add a dramatic touch to your bathroom space? Why not consider adding a black shower niche? It doesn’t have to be very high if you want to keep only a few shampoo bottles or lotion. Plus, don’t make it too wide if you don’t want to store too many objects on it. When created in the right proportion, it will give a stunning look to your bathroom interior.
LED Light Integrated Shower Niche
One cool way to style your standard height of shower niche is by adding LED light to it. However, you need to consider it for a bathtub niche at a lower height that’s easy to reach when you’re in the tub. This means that you can place it a bit higher than the tub and in-between a place where it’s accessible with ease.
Porcelain Tiles for Shower Niche Height
There is no standard size or shape for a shower niche. This means you get to customize it in the way you like. For instance, you can consider it in an irregular design as well. But keep it narrow and long to ensure your bathroom accessories are easy to store on it. However, it should not be wide to make your small bathroom feel even smaller.
Chevron Tiles For Bathroom
This is another cool bathroom design idea for adding a shelf to your shower niche. You can even divide it into two sections. This would make it easier for you to organize your bathroom accessories.
Honeycomb Shower Niche
Have a look at this stunning honeycomb shower niche. The best thing about this particular design is how well it’s integrated into a wall. It also helps in saving space while making things a little more creative in terms of design. Check out this stunning design for a while and you’ll get amazing ideas to incorporate it into your bathroom interior.
Subway Tiles Shower Niche Height
When designing a specific shower niche height, you can even consider covering it with beautiful subway tiles. This way your niche will nicely fit into the bathroom interior without disrupting the pattern. The ideal height of this shower niche needs to be a priority. So, consider it as per your height.
