Your shower deserves storage that’s both practical and gorgeous, and that’s exactly what a well-designed niche delivers.
These built-in spaces keep your shampoo bottles and bath products organized while adding serious style to your bathroom.
From sleek minimalist designs to eye-catching accent tiles, you’ll discover 25 inspiring ways to create the perfect shower niche that transforms your daily routine into something special.
01. Built-In Niche With Transparent Shelf
Credit: Design byCathie Hong Interiors/Margaret Austin Photo
You’ll love how a glass shelf adds extra functionality to your shower niche without breaking up the visual flow.
This minimalist approach works beautifully when you want your vertical tile pattern to shine through uninterrupted. The transparent shelf creates storage levels while keeping everything feeling light and airy, perfect for modern bathrooms that prioritize clean lines and simplicity.
02. Contrasting Tile Accent Niche
Credit: Tyler Karu Design + Interiors/ Photo byErin Little
Transform your basic subway tile shower into something custom by adding a framed niche with contrasting tile that catches the eye.
You can divide the vertical space with a built-in shelf for even more storage options. Match your niche tile to other accent details in your shower, like the area behind your showerhead, to create a cohesive design that feels intentional and professionally styled.
03. Integrated Seamless Niche Design
Credit: Design by Max Humphrey and Beebe Skidmore forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo By Kaitlin Green
When you size your horizontal niche to match your tile dimensions perfectly, it practically disappears into your shower wall.
This works especially well with glossy stacked tiles and contrasting grout that create visual interest. A wide niche that spans the height of two tiles feels like it was always meant to be there, giving you functional storage without disrupting your beautiful tile work.
04. Expansive Horizontal Niche
Credit: Tyler Karu Design + Interiors
Don’t assume your small shower needs a tiny niche—going wider can actually make your space feel more generous and open.
A nearly wall-to-wall design gives you tons of storage while creating visual balance. Add a shelf in matching stone or tile to tie everything together, especially if you have other built-in features like a corner bench that you want to coordinate with seamlessly.
05. Monochromatic Colorful Tile Niche
Credit: Desiree Burns Interiors
When you’ve committed to a bold shower tile color that extends all the way to your ceiling, let your niche blend right in.
Lining your storage area with the same eye-catching tile creates a cohesive look that feels intentional rather than cluttered. This approach works beautifully in spacious bathrooms where you want the overall color story to remain uninterrupted and harmonious throughout the entire space.
06. Stacked Cubby-Style Mosaic Niche
Credit: Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
You can maximize every inch of your compact shower by building multiple stacked niches right into the corner.
This cubby-style approach gives you separate storage zones for different products and family members. Cover everything in the same mosaic tile as your walls to create a harmonious feel that makes your small bathroom look thoughtfully designed rather than cramped or cluttered.
07. Subtle Marble Tile Niche
Credit: Design byKate Marker Interiors/ Photo byMargaret Rajic
A small niche covered in the same marble tile as your shower walls creates beautiful depth without demanding attention.
This understated approach lets your luxurious marble take center stage while still giving you practical storage exactly where you need it. The niche adds subtle dimension to your wall, creating visual interest through texture and shadow rather than contrasting colors or bold patterns.
08. Integrated Bench Back Niche
Credit: Michelle Berwick Design
Get creative with your shower layout by building storage into the back of your shower bench.
This clever design works perfectly when your bench serves as a divider between your walk-in shower and other bathroom fixtures. You’ll maximize your space while creating a functional feature that serves double duty, giving you comfortable seating plus convenient storage in one integrated element.
09. LED-Illuminated Niche Design
Credit: Gray Space Interiors
You can transform your shower niche into a stunning focal point by adding warm LED lighting that creates instant ambiance.
Run matching light strips along your ceiling line to balance the illuminated niche and create a spa-like atmosphere. Just make sure you work with a licensed professional when adding any electrical elements to wet areas for safety and proper waterproofing.
10. Minimalist Vertical Storage Niche
Credit: The Home Consultant
A small vertical niche gives you just enough storage for daily essentials without overwhelming your minimalist design aesthetic.
Match your niche tile to your neutral shower walls so it practically disappears when not in use. This approach works beautifully when you have statement floor tile that deserves to be the star of your bathroom, letting your gorgeous flooring take center stage.
11. Symmetrical Double White Niches
Credit: Michelle Berwick Design
Create perfect balance in your walk-in shower by installing matching framed niches on either side of your showerhead.
This symmetrical approach adds functional storage while maintaining your all-white color scheme beautifully. Stacked square niches work especially well in arched showers where you want to add practical features without disrupting the clean, cohesive aesthetic of your primary bathroom.
12. Dual-Purpose Tub and Shower Niches
Credit: Arbor & Co.
Your combination tub and shower needs storage that works for both functions, so stack two niches vertically with different orientations.
Place a horizontal niche lower for easy bathtub access, then add a vertical shower niche directly above. Finish them in coordinating tile like neutral hexagons to create visual interest while keeping everything accessible and practical for your daily routine.
13. Backlit Spa-Style Niche
Credit: Design byTidal Interiors/ Photo byJenny Siegwart
Bright white LED backlighting transforms a simple wall-to-wall niche into a luxurious spa-like feature that elevates your entire bathroom.
This sleek built-in approach creates dramatic ambiance while providing functional storage for all your shower essentials. Always hire a licensed professional to install any lighting in wet areas to ensure proper waterproofing and electrical safety for long-lasting, worry-free enjoyment.
14. Discreet Side Wall Niche Placement
Credit: The Home Consultant
Position your niche in the far corner on your side wall next to the showerhead for storage that’s there when you need it.
This minimalist placement keeps your products accessible during your shower while hiding them in plain sight when guests peek in. It’s perfect for clean, uncluttered bathrooms where you want functionality without sacrificing your streamlined aesthetic or visual flow.
15. Mixed Direction Tile Niche
Credit: Design byCathie Hong Interiors/Margaret Austin Photo
You can add subtle movement to your neutral bathroom by alternating vertical and horizontal rectangular tiles in slightly different shades.
This two-directional approach creates dimension without overwhelming your space with bold patterns or colors. The mix of tile sizes and layouts adds visual interest while maintaining a calm, sophisticated feel that works beautifully in modern bathrooms with minimalist sensibilities.
16. Bold Patterned Bathtub Niche
Credit: Tyler Karu Design + Interiors/ Photo byErin Little
Make a statement by using the same patterned tile in your tub niche as you have on your bathroom floor.
Frame the niche with marble trim to give it dimensional contrast against your bold wall color. This approach works beautifully in historic homes where you want to honor traditional design elements while creating functional storage that feels both practical and visually striking.
17. Spacious Wet Room Niche
Credit: Brophy Interiors
Keep your large shower niche looking intentionally minimal by storing only the products you actually use regularly in it.
Leave some breathing room for an uncluttered aesthetic that feels spa-like and serene. This also gives you space to add seasonal items like a small vase of fresh flowers, and the pale tile contrast against darker walls creates beautiful visual interest in your wet room.
18. Compact Square Statement Niche
Credit: Erin Williamson Design
A small square niche carved into your back wall can make a huge impact when you’re working with bold, electric tile colors.
This compact design gives you essential storage without interrupting the dramatic statement your colorful walls are making. The simple square shape keeps things clean and modern, letting your vibrant tile choice remain the undisputed focal point of your bathroom design.
19. Contrasting Shelf Niche Design
Credit: Jessica Nelson Design/Carina Skrobecki Photography
Make your shower niche pop by adding shelves in a contrasting color that coordinates with other trim elements in your bathroom.
White quartz shelves look stunning against dark blue hexagon tile, especially when they match your window trim. This coordinated approach ties your whole design together while creating functional storage that’s both beautiful and practical for organizing your shower essentials by category.
20. Child-Friendly Square Niche
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Ryan Liebe
Design your kids’ bathroom with a small square niche positioned at a height they can easily reach themselves.
This child-sized approach encourages independence during bath time while keeping their essentials organized and accessible. You can even let them decorate it with waterproof bath toys, making the space feel fun and personalized while teaching them to keep their bathroom tidy and organized.
21. Window-Inspired Wide Niche
Credit: Design byCathie Hong Interiors/Margaret Austin Photo
Create architectural harmony by designing your shower niche to mimic the shape and proportions of your bathroom windows.
This wide horizontal design helps everything blend seamlessly in minimalist black-and-white spaces. When your niche echoes existing architectural elements like transom windows, it feels like an intentional part of your original design rather than an afterthought added for storage purposes.
22. Vertical Double-Stacked Niches
Credit: Design and Photo by Malcolm Simmons forEmily Henderson Design
Maximize your compact bathroom’s storage potential by stacking two subway tile niches vertically to take advantage of wall height.
This smart approach doubles your storage capacity without eating into precious floor space. You can designate the top niche for less frequently used items and keep daily essentials in the lower one, creating an organized system that works beautifully in tight quarters.
23. Natural Plant-Styled Niche
Credit: Desiree Burns Interiors
Transform your shower into a spa-like sanctuary by styling your niche with a small potted plant that thrives in humidity.
This natural touch adds life and freshness to your neutral bathroom while creating a calming atmosphere. Choose low-maintenance plants like pothos or ferns that love moisture, and watch how this simple addition makes your daily shower feel more luxurious and rejuvenating.
24. Full-Width Ledge Niche Hybrid
Credit: Design byCathie Hong Interiors/Margaret Austin Photo
A wall-to-wall hybrid design that combines a ledge and niche accentuates the clean lines of your deep walk-in shower beautifully.
This expansive approach actually makes compact spaces feel more generous and open rather than cramped. The continuous horizontal line creates visual width while providing ample storage, proving that sometimes going bigger with your niche makes your small shower feel surprisingly spacious.
25. Architectural Arched Niche
Credit: Caroline Andreoni Interior Design/ Photo by Sophie Lloyd
Add architectural interest to your streamlined shower by incorporating an arched combination bench and storage niche.
This elegant design brings dimension and European-inspired sophistication to black-and-white bathrooms. The curved arch softens the angular lines of your shower while creating a stunning focal point that’s both beautiful and functional, giving you comfortable seating plus convenient storage in one striking feature.
Final Thoughts
Your shower niche can be so much more than just a practical storage solution—it’s an opportunity to showcase your personal style.
Whether you prefer seamless minimalist designs or bold contrasting accents, the right niche enhances both the function and beauty of your bathroom.
Use these ideas as inspiration to create a shower that keeps your essentials organized while making every day feel a little more luxurious and spa-like.
