The art of the bathroom niche: how to get it right

Shower niches – are they still in style?

Bathroom niches – how did we ever live without them? But now that we’re seeing bathroom shower ledges become so popular, is the bathroom niche still worth including?

We say yes!

To us, a niche will always be the ultimate design feature balancing practicality and elegance – with no sacrifice of floor space.

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They can be designed meet to the most “niche” shower or bath routine:

• Place it high up so your essential products are exactly where you need them
• Or position it low down as a foothold – or both
• Make it petite for just a candle and a soap or make it the width of the wall for all your products
• Add an LED light for those times when overhead lighting is too much

And they can really be that finishing touch to your bathroom design:

• Make it minimalist, blending in with your tiles
• Make it decorative, as a feature to draw the eye and add character
• Do mitered tile edges for a sleek look
• Add a metal edge or stone trim to make your niche stand out
• Double up with 2 or even 4 niches for that extra luxurious feel
• Create a niche especially for your favourite plant

All in all, a niche is a fantastic way to make your bathroom completely personal and beautifully polished.

Niche vs shower ledge?

If you’re comparing a built-in niche with a shower ledge,  here’s what to consider:

A niche is cut into the wall cavity, which makes it sleek and space-saving. It works well in tighter bathrooms where every cm of space counts.

A shower ledge runs along the wall, usually at mid-height, and can sometimes offer more surface area. It’s easier to build into a new space and can double as a design feature when tiled well.

Both are excellent storage solutions. Niches are more discreet. Ledges give you a bit more room to work with. At Just in Place, we help choose the option that fits your layout best.

READ MORE about shower niches vs shower ledges here

Top things to think about when designing your bathroom niche:

1. Pick the right placement

Position your niche where it’s easy to reach but not directly in the spray of the water, chest or eye height tends to work well. This keeps water out of your products and your niche will stay cleaner.

If you’re building a new home, you probably won’t be able to place your niche in an exterior wall – speak to your builder early.

2. Measure your product bottles

Aim for roughly 90–100 mm depth so your larger bottles sit securely on the base, and make sure you have at least 300 mm in height to fit your taller bottles. Or course, all these dimensions depend on your particular storage needs!

single, double, stacked or horizontal niches all work, depending on products and bathroom layout.

3. Pay close attention to waterproofing and drainage

A niche must be properly waterproofed during the waterproofing stage of your bathroom build so double check that it’s done properly.

Also check that the base of your niche is slightly angled toward the shower floor, so that water drips out and doesn’t pools, which helps avoid mold or grout damage over time.

4. How will it be tiled and trimmed? 

Some people like the look of metal tile edging or trim and some people prefer a mitered tile edge – this decision mostly comes down to personal taste but there are a couple of things to consider.

• mitering tiles is usually a more expensive option
• some tiles don’t mitre easily or can be more susceptible to chipping

Another option is a stone or decorative tile trim – these options can help make a beautiful feature of your niche in your space

And lastly, think about how your tiles will be laid in and around your niche. For example, if you’re using a subway tile, could you make your niche the height of one tile, or 2? Planning this out early on will help make your niche look well designed and considered.

Some easy mistakes to avoid when doing a bathroom niche

Even a well-intentioned niche can go wrong without careful planning. Here are the pitfalls we see most often:

• Planning it too late. A niche must be framed and waterproofed before tiling. If you decide you want one after the tiler has started, it’s a costly change. Lock in your niche decisions during the design phase.
• Skimping on waterproofing. The niche is a water trap if not properly waterproofed — especially the floor of the recess. Ensure your waterproofing membrane is applied correctly and cured before tiling begins. This is non-negotiable in a wet area.
• Forgetting the fall. The floor of a shower niche should be very slightly sloped toward the shower so water drains away rather than pooling. A good tiler will do this automatically, but it’s worth confirming.
• Placing it on an external wall. In cooler climates, cutting a niche into an external wall can compromise insulation and introduce condensation issues. In Sydney’s climate this is less critical than in colder states, but it’s still worth discussing with your builder.
• Choosing the wrong tile size. Very large format tiles (600×600 mm or larger) often don’t work well inside a small niche — the proportions clash. Choose a smaller format for the niche interior and let the large tiles shine on the surrounding wall.

Most common questions we get about bathroom niches

How much does a bathroom niche cost to install in Sydney?

The cost varies depending on complexity, but as a rough guide, adding a single standard niche to a bathroom renovation in Sydney typically adds $300–$800 to your tiling costs, covering the framing, waterproofing, and additional tiling work. A niche with a contrasting tile, lighting, or custom sizing will sit at the higher end. If you’re planning a niche from the outset of your renovation rather than adding it later, the incremental cost is usually lower.

Can I add a niche to an existing bathroom without a full renovation?

It’s possible, but it’s a significant job – the existing tiles in that area need to be removed, the wall framed, waterproofed, and re-tiled. Unless you’re planning to re-tile at least one wall anyway, it’s rarely cost-effective. The better approach is to incorporate a niche into your next renovation or refresh.

How many niches should I include in one bathroom?

Most bathrooms benefit from one to three niches: typically one in the shower, and optionally one by the bath and one at the vanity. More than three can start to fragment the design. Prioritise the shower niche first – it solves the most pressing storage problem and offers the most design impact.

What’s the difference between a niche and a recessed shelf?

They’re essentially the same thing – the terms are used interchangeably. Some designers use “niche” to refer to a larger feature recess (such as a full-height display niche) and “recessed shelf” for a smaller, purely functional shelf. In everyday usage, both mean a shelf built into the wall cavity.

Do bathroom niches require special waterproofing?

Yes – particularly in a shower. The niche recess is a surface that will be directly hit by water, so the walls and floor of the niche must be fully waterproofed before tiling. Your tiler and waterproofer should treat the niche interior as part of the wider wet area waterproofing system. In Australia, this work must comply with AS 3740 (Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas).

Ready to Design Your Perfect Bathroom?

A beautifully designed niche is one of those details that makes a bathroom feel truly finished, the kind of thing guests notice without quite knowing why. Whether you’re drawn to a bold mosaic contrast tile, a sleek lit recess, or something simple and seamless, the right niche will make your daily routine a little more pleasurable and your bathroom a lot more functional.

If you’re planning a bathroom renovation in Sydney and want expert guidance on layout, storage, and finishes – including getting your niche placement and design exactly right – we’d love to help.

Get in touch with our team for a no-obligation design consultation and let’s start bringing your bathroom vision to life.