A shower
What's a Shower Niche? A shower niche is an open storage space, like a cubbyhole, that is installed within the wall of your shower or tub area and is used to keep all your bathroom items nicely organized. Niches aren't just for showers – they can also be installed in bathtub surrounds.
The metal towel holder in the bathroom is commonly called a "towel bar" or "towel rack." It is a fixture typically mounted on the wall or sometimes freestanding, designed to hold and display towels for drying or storage purposes in the bathroom.
Put simply, it is a term used to describe a storage space that is installed within the wall of your bath or shower. It's generally used to hold things like soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc. It can be a recessed rack or it can be finished and waterproof.
A shower ledge on the other hand is a 'fake' wall that has been built halfway up in the shower or along one wall to create some height difference. It's like a lower wall in front of the real wall. This is a much more elegant version which creates some space for hair conditioners, hair masks, or even green plants.
Unlike a shower niche, a shower shelf, also called a shower ledge or bathroom shelf — is a nib wall that's built in front of a structural shower wall, to create as shower ledge or shelf.
A built-in shower seat is generally a box protected in a waterproof membrane, backer board, and a decorative surface, such as tile.
A shower recess refers to the entire shower cubicle, including the walls and shower base used to make an enclosed shower. The Niche Man explains it some more and provides some examples in this short video.
Natural stone shower niche shelves are a great option as long as they match fairly well with your surrounding shower wall tile. The most popular stone shelf is made of marble because the muted grey and white tones are popular right now, and it's fairly easy to cut and polish.
Improperly waterproofed niches can lead to water seepage behind the tiles, causing mould growth and potential structural damage over time. Ensuring proper waterproofing during installation is essential, and this requires the expertise of a professional contractor.
Wet room flipper screens are a versatile and practical solution for creating a flexible shower space in your bathroom. These screens can be easily folded or flipped when not in use, allowing you to maximize space and enjoy an open and spacious bathroom environment.
A plumbing stack, also called a plumbing vent or a vent stack, is a long, vertical pipe extending out of your roof that directs wastewater from all the fixtures in your home to a municipal or private sewer system.
A shower enclosure is a panel that encloses your shower area and gives protection to the rest of your bathroom from water splashbacks. These can come in a range of designs including pivot or fold-open, glass panels and sliding doors.
A spa-worthy aroma-therapeutic scented steam in your shower. Bath-bomb-like, the steam and water splashed on these pucks cause it to fizz and dissolve creating a fragrant vapor to clear your sinuses or simply invigorate the start of your day.
A pony wall, also known as a short wall or knee wall, is a partial wall that typically separates two spaces while allowing for an open and airy feel. In the context of a shower, a pony wall is often used to separate the wet area from the dry area without completely closing off the space.
Most shower slide bars come with a knob that you twist; then a holder you slide up or down making it an adjustable-height showerhead. Once you find the perfect position, simply tighten it back up and get scrubbing.
A niche is super practical in maximizing shower space and can be refreshing in a stylish fashion. A corner shelf allows for more range of possibilities with storage while matching the tile in a convenient and affordable style.
Height and Reachability
Standard Height: Position the niche at a height that the majority of users can comfortably reach, generally between 42 to 60 inches from the shower floor.
If you're planning a bathroom remodel, built-in shower storage is a smart investment. These solutions are not only functional but also seamlessly integrate with your shower design. In 2025, built-in options are more versatile and customizable than ever.
This curtain and shower head can be rolled up and stored in the cabinet when it's not in use, which means more livable space for you to enjoy when you're not showering. The shower has hot and cold water. It's actually a lot of space once you're inside, and the curtain is held closed with magnets.
Alcove showers are designed to be installed between two walls. They are enclosed on three sides, with most homeowners adding glass doors or shower curtains for the open side. Because of their ingenious designs, these showers are ideal for bathrooms with limited space.
A shower hob is a one brick high barrier around the base of your shower area. This can be a long wall to wall type typically done in open showers. The second type of hobbed shower base is the type you get in traditional 900mm x 900mm showers. Below are the examples of how we do hobbed showers.
Put simply, a tiled shower ledge is a half-height wall built into your shower or behind your bath, a modern and practical way to put your most-used bathroom products. Unlike the niche, it doesn't have a top section/canopy.
Con #1 – Waterproofing site-built shower bench seats can be tricky. When you're building a shower bench seat (or your contractor is doing it for you) you've got to be meticulous in your waterproofing techniques to make sure you don't end up with leaks through the seat and onto the floor below.
A banquette is a seat or bench which is specially designed to fit into a space, typically running along a wall. They are also known as fixed seating, booth seating and bench seating, and are most commonly found in restaurants and cafes.