Hey there! I‘m Lillie Gabler, your home improvement expert here to help you install a shower niche in your existing tiled shower. Adding this handy storage spot takes a bit of planning, but it‘s an achievable weekend project for many DIYers.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to do it right, from picking the perfect spot to waterproofing and tiling your new niche. My goal is to equip you with the skills and confidence to handle this shower upgrade like a pro. Let‘s get started!
Why Add a Niche to Your Shower?
Before we dive in, let‘s look at why installing a niche can be such a great addition:
Convenience
Tired of cluttering up precious floor space with shampoo bottles and shower caddies? A niche provides a handy spot to neatly tuck away all those shower essentials right at arm‘s level. No more bending down or balancing acts to grab what you need.
Safety
Reducing slip risks is a major perk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 234,000 people visit ERs each year for injuries from falling in the tub or shower. Getting those slippery bottles off the floor can help prevent dangerous tumbles.
Organization
Searching around for your razor or favorite conditioner wastes time and causes frustration. A niche keeps all your stuff neatly organized and within easy reach. Just grab and go!
Style
Tiled niches allow you to add a decorative focal point and visual interest with unique shapes, cool accent tiles, or even shelves and lighting. It‘s an easy way to put your personal stamp on your bathroom.
Value
Remodeling stats show the average bathroom niche adds about $500 to the resale value of a home. That makes it a smart upgrade if you ever plan to sell.
Sold on the benefits? Let‘s look at exactly how to integrate this useful storage spot into your existing shower.
Choosing the Best Spot for Your Shower Niche
Planning the placement is an important first step. As you assess your shower layout, here are some key factors to consider:
Height
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The ideal height for a shower niche is between 4 and 5 feet above the shower floor. This places it conveniently within reach for most users.
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If it‘s too high, it will be awkward stretching to reach items. Too low, and you‘ll be hunched over stooping down.
Location
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Avoid placing the niche directly in the path of the showerhead. Even with a good seal, consistently getting soaked with water splashes can lead to water damage and moldy contents.
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Check for pipes, valves and electrical lines before cutting into walls. Damaging plumbing or wiring causes much bigger headaches down the road!
Size and Layout
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For a tub/shower combo, the best spot is on the shower-side wall within easy arm‘s reach.
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In larger showers, you may opt for multiple niches for optimized organization. Just be sure to leave enough wall space in between for shower accessories, seats, or shelving.
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In a cramped or awkwardly laid out shower, a corner niche makes good use of the space.
With the placement decided, now let‘s move on to prepping and installing your niche.
How Big Should Your Shower Niche Be?
Another key planning step is deciding on the right size niche for your needs. Take measurements of your shower bottles and items to determine ideal dimensions:
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Width and depth should be at least 4 inches larger than your largest item to allow room to easily grab things in and out.
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Standard niche sizes range from a basic 6 x 6 inches up to 14 x 14 inches to fit multiple large bottles.
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For narrow 2-3 inch bottles, a minimum depth of 4 inches usually suffices. Wider bottles need at least 6 inches.
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Height typically matches the surrounding tile and grout lines for a streamlined built-in look. Allow an extra inch or two above your tallest item.
Larger niche sizes like 16-20 inches across may require additional wall support. In that case, it‘s best to consult a contractor to ensure structural integrity.
Now that you‘ve determined the perfect niche dimensions for your shower, let‘s look at the installation process.
Installing a Shower Niche in 3 Key Steps
There are several methods for niche installation depending on your shower layout and access to the wall structure. I‘ll cover the three main scenarios:
Option 1: Installing in an Existing Stud Wall
If there‘s a wood stud wall behind your tile, that provides an ideal anchor point for sturdy niche construction.
What You‘ll Need:
- Niche or materials to build a frame
- Tile adhesive/thinset
- Tile grout
- Caululk/sealant
- Tiling supplies – spacers, grout float, etc.
Step-by-Step Installation:
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Measure and mark the desired niche location on the stud wall. Confirm there is adequate depth for the niche size you want.
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Carefully cut out an opening in the existing tile and wallboard using an oscillating multi tool or angle grinder to expose the studs. Wear eye and dust protection!
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Build a frame out of 2×4 lumber attached securely to the stud wall. Make the interior dimensions 1/2 inch wider than your niche on all sides.
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Waterproof the inside of the frame with a membrane or cement backer board.
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Spread tile adhesive on the back of the niche and attach it to the frame. For extra support, use mechanical fasteners like screws.
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Allow the adhesive to fully cure according to manufacturer instructions, usually 24-48 hours.
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Dry fit the niche face tiles to ensure a proper fit. Use spacers for even grout lines.
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Apply tile adhesive and set niche face tiles in place. Allow another 24 hours before grouting.
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Apply waterproof grout between tiles and along niche edges. After another 24 hours, seal all grout lines and perimeter with silicone caulk.
And that‘s it! With the right materials and careful sealing, this is a secure installation that will last for years.
Option 2: Using a Pre-Made Shower Niche
For simpler installation, you can opt for a prefabricated niche designed to fit directly onto shower walls. Here are some popular choices:
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Solid Surface: Molded from acrylic resins to form seamless designs. Available in a wide range of sizes and colors.
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Marble/Granite: Elegant natural stone look, often smaller niches. Makes a lovely focal point.
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Stainless Steel: Sleek, modern, and budget-friendly. Super easy to keep clean.
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Tile-able: Plastic or foam core with a mesh backing to adhere tiles. Lots of size options.
Step-by-Step Installation:
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Select your niche size and order a pre-made model. Confirm dimensions will fit your space.
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Mark opening on shower wall making it 1/8 inch wider than the niche dimensions. Cut away surface.
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Apply waterproof sealant on niche back. Insert into opening and press firmly into place.
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Drill holes and insert provided screws to reinforce niche attachment.
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Fill any gaps around the niche perimeter with thinset mortar. Smooth off excess.
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Let mortar fully cure for 24-48 hours. Seal all edges with silicone caulk.
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Tile the niche front as desired with proper tile spacers. Allow tiles to fully set before grouting.
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Use waterproof grout on niche tiles and edges. Wipe away excess.
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After 24 hours, seal all grout lines with silicone caulk.
With the right niche model and careful prep, this install takes the guesswork out and ensures easy integration into your existing shower.
Option 3: Building Out the Wall
If there‘s limited wall depth and no stud access, you can construct additional support by building out the wall.
What You‘ll Need:
- Cement backerboard
- 2×4 wood blocking
- Thinset mortar
- Tiling supplies
- Waterproofing membrane
Step-by-Step:
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Determine how much extra depth your niche requires. Usually around 4-6 inches.
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Mark niche location and use an oscillating tool to cut away existing wall surface.
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Cut and secure 2×4 wood blocking horizontally at top and bottom of the niche opening.
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Cut cement backerboard to required width and height. Adhere over blocking with thinset.
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Build out remaining depth with backerboard pieces adhered with thinset mortar. Allow to fully cure.
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Waterproof the framework with membrane. Allow to dry completely.
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Spread tile adhesive on niche and attach to framework. Use additional screws for support.
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After adhesive cures, tile niche front and surrounding walls. Use spacers.
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Grout niche tiles and edges. Seal with flexible silicone caulk.
This method allows you to create the necessary niche depth in any tiled shower scenario.
Waterproofing Your Niche Like a Pro
Now that you understand the key niche installation techniques, let‘s talk about waterproofing. Preventing leaks is absolutely crucial to a long-lasting niche.
Here are some professional tips for keeping your niche watertight:
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Seal all edges and seams – Be meticulous about applying a flexible silicone caulk along the entire perimeter of the niche and any tile or grout seams.
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Fill gaps – Use caulk or thinset mortar to fill any visible gaps between niche materials and surrounding tiles.
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Grout wisely – Only use waterproof grout suitable for wet areas. Make sure grout lines are fully packed.
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Seal grout – After grout cures, go over all grout lines with silicone caulk to waterproof.
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Check periodically – Examine niche seals and reapply caulk immediately if any cracks, gaps or wear develop.
Follow these crucial steps and your niche can withstand the steamy, wet shower environment for many years before needing resealing.
Designing Your Dream Shower Niche
The fun part is finally here! Now that the nitty-gritty installation is covered, let‘s explore how to decorate your niche and make it uniquely you:
Get Creative with Tiles
The niche facing presents a great chance to showcase decorative tiles like:
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Metallic mosaics or subway tiles – Add eye-catching shine and luminosity!
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Marble or travertine – Elegant natural stone lends a luxurious spa vibe.
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Pebble tiles – Warm, organic texture and colors of the sea.
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Handpainted ceramic – Choose vibrant designs and patterns.
Mix and match or accent your wall tile with any style that inspires you.
Add Practical Storage Accessories
Take your organization to the next level with built-in shelving or racks:
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Glass shelving – Tempered glass is durable and allows light to reflect.
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Stackable trays – Removable plastic trays keep items neatly separated.
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Corner shelves – Maximize every inch of available space.
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Sliding razor racks – Perfect spot to store razors safely out of the way.
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Integrated soap dish – Adds convenience right inside the niche.
Light It Up Gorgeously
Strategic lighting transforms any niche into a work of art.
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LED strip lights – Adds a modern glow and illuminates contents.
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Niche-mounted sconces – Stylish up-lighting. Choose waterproof fixtures.
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Night light – Handy for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips. Plus, ambient mood lighting!
Consider Specialty Features
For a truly custom niche, you might add:
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Mirrored back – Visually doubles the space.
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Inline heater – Warms towels or dries bathing suits.
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Audio system – Listen to music or news while you shower.
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Charging station – Water-resistant ports to charge devices.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing the perfect functional and fabulous niche!
Maintaining Your Niche to Prevent Damage
Once your dream niche is installed, be sure to follow these tips to keep it looking like new:
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Check caulk seals periodically and touch up any gaps or cracks that allow moisture intrusion.
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Repair any failing grout lines right away before tile damage can occur.
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Use gentle cleaners without abrasives or harsh chemicals that could degrade tile or grout over time.
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Wipe down the niche after each use to prevent soap scum and mildew buildup.
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Remove bottles and accessories regularly to fully dry out the niche and prevent mold growth.
With proper care and maintenance, your niche can stay watertight and gorgeous for decades to come!
Frequently Asked Shower Niche Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions homeowners have about adding a niche:
How much does it cost to add a niche to an existing shower?
The cost can range from $200-500 if doing the project yourself. Hiring a contractor typically costs $500-1500 including labor and materials.
What type of tile works best for shower niches?
Porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, and marble make great water-resistant niche tile options. Avoid highly porous, absorbent tiles.
Where should I position the niche in my shower layout?
Ideally 4-5 feet high on a side wall away from direct shower spray. Always check for pipes before cutting into walls.
Can I install a niche in fiberglass shower surrounds?
Yes, they make special fiberglass retrofit niches with adhesive backs designed to mount directly onto fiberglass.
Is sealing required for a shower niche?
Sealing is absolutely critical. Be sure to caulk perimeter edges, grout with waterproof grout, and caulk all grout lines.
I hope this guide has equipped you with everything needed to successfully tackle a shower niche installation like a pro! Remember, the key steps are proper planning, waterproofing, sealing and periodic maintenance.
With the right materials and techniques, you can handle this project and enjoy a beautiful new focal point in your bathroom. As always, I‘m happy to answer any questions you have along the way. Now get out there and create your dream shower niche!
