Photography: Pablo Veiga
Bathrooms, and showers in particular, are all about duality. They serve as retreats for relaxation, but are also highly functional spaces that are put through their daily paces. As such, storage is an essential part of bathroom design, not only for practicality but as a stylish feature. Popular built-in storage solutions include shower niches, shower ledges and shower benches. But it can be hard to figure out which works best for your space.
Shower niches and shower ledges can have a dramatic impact. They offer a neat cubbyhole to store shower products and serve as an artful shelf to showcase tiles and marble. Better yet, a carefully placed bench works as both a rest area and convenient storage spot for lotions, potions and all your decorative bathroom pieces.
To help you decide whether a shower niche, ledge or bench suits the style and size of your bathroom, we spoke to the experts. From material choices to installation, get ready to say goodbye to your shower caddy for good…
In this article
What is a shower ledge?
A shower ledge is a half-height wall built in to a shower. It often follows the width of one shower wall, creating a neat and convenient storage space for shower products. These ledges can also serve as handy footrests while shaving legs. Niches and shower ledges can boast an almost seamless profile, especially when finished in matching tiles with mitred edges. These should be trimmed at 45 degrees to meet at perfect right angles.
“Investing in a good tiler is key so you can have the edges mitred instead of capped, which can look busier,” explains stylist and blogger Monique Hemmingson. An adequate fall on your niche or ledge is also essential to avoid water pooling on its surface. This will help prevent your tiles or stone from becoming mouldy or discoloured.
“Aesthetically, a shower ledge provides both depth and interest”
Katie Soineva, SMUB Studio
The most common shower ledge mistakes people make
Avoid these bathroom renovation regrets
- A flat and level surface: It can seem counterintuitive but you don’t want a totally flat surface for your shower ledge (or shower niche). This will lead to water pooling on the shower ledge, causing bigger problems such as grout staining, limescale and mould. A slight slope of 6mm towards your shower should do the trick.
- Not properly waterproofing: Just like the rest of your shower, your shower ledge should be properly waterproofed and installed by a licensed professional. You cannot cut corners here.
- Getting the height wrong: Reaching for your shower products should feel effortless but if the height is even slightly wrong you’ll notice. Online advice is well and good but, ultimately, I don’t know how tall you are. Consider the people using the ledge and their height. Stand in the shower and practise reaching for a product. The height you reach for should guide you.
What is a shower niche?
Also known as a shower recess, a shower niche is a built-in alcove that people store products in. Common shower niche designs include rectangular, square and arched shapes. “Create a niche that’s less typical. Use materials that resonate with you and have personal meaning,” urges Tiffany Howell of Night Palm. She adds that builders can frame out shower niches to be any size or shape. As such, she encourages homeowners to “let your imagination go wild and have fun with shape.”
To determine the ideal dimensions of your niche, consider the size of your shower products. For placement, keep your niche away from the splash zone. This means installing on the opposite or adjacent wall, to safeguard against moisture build-up.
“When planned ahead of time, the framework inside the wall cavity can be adjusted to suit the exact niche location,” says interior designer Caitlin Parker-Brown. “Statement stone is a timeless option to make your niche, ledge or bench a standout.” However, she adds that “finishes including microcement or tiles in contrasting designs work equally well.”
The most common shower niche mistakes people make
Avoid these bathroom renovation regrets. There’s a lot of crossover with shower ledge mistakes, which we have already covered in this article. For that list, click here.
- Incorrect placement: Don’t build your shower niche in the direct path of the water. Your shower niche materials will take a beating if your shower head is pointed at your shower niche, constantly blasting water in to the storage space. Save your grout and prevent water damage by placing it out of the splash zone.
- The wrong height and depth: General advice will offer a good guide for shower niche dimensions but you have to think about your specific needs. Measure the products you will store in your shower, especially the items you are likely to repurchase. If your shower niche isn’t tall enough for your favourite shampoo, you are only causing more issues than you are resolving.
What is a shower bench?
Designed with relaxation in mind, a shower bench is the perfect place to unwind. It transforms any bathroom into a delightful day spa experience. These built-in seats can make showers safer and more accessible, which is perfect for multigenerational living, all while feeling luxurious. They also serve as a handy storage space and provide easy product access when paired with a shower niche.
Dreaming of your own bench seat? Aim for a height of 450 to 500 millimetres and a depth of at least 300 millimetres. If you can accomodate more space, then try to. This will ensure optimum comfort.
The most common shower bench mistakes people make
Avoid these bathroom renovation regrets. For issues we have already covered, including level surfaces and waterproofing, click here.
- Ignoring weight limits: If a shower bench isn’t installed properly (for example, if it is screwed into drywall), it won’t be able to bear much weight. Sturdiness, proper building and installation should all be front of mind.
- Picking the wrong materials: Small tiles on a shower bench mean more grout and therefore higher maintenance and more cleaning. However, rough grout also feels harsh on bare skin. For a more comfortable experience, opt for a different material or a larger tile for your shower bench.
- Getting the location wrong: If accessibility is a concern, you will need to place your shower bench closer to the water stream. If it is too far away, you won’t actually be able to sit and wash yourself.
Experts answer common shower niche, ledge and bench questions
These expert tips will clear up any confusion on the topic (and help you avoid common shower storage mistakes).
| Commonly asked questions from renovators | Answers from the experts |
|---|---|
| How deep should a shower ledge be? | “90 millimetres deep,” says Katie, adding that this allows products to sit comfortably on the shower ledge. |
| How high should a shower ledge be? | “Typically, shower ledges are 1200 millimetres high from the tiled floor,” says Katie. |
| Where to place a shower niche? | Avoid placing a shower niche in the direct spray of your showerhead. Stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones suggests installing a shower niche at a height of 1200mm from the finished floor. |
| How wide should a shower niche be? | “Where possible, design the size of your niche around your tiles so you don’t have unnecessary or unsightly tile cuts,” suggests Caitlin. For product storage considerations, you could stretch a niche across the width of the enclosure or keep it between 300-450mm. |
| Can you put a shower niche on an exterior wall? | Experts do not recommend this due to insulation in exterior walls. If you really want a shower niche in an exterior wall, you’ll have to consult the experts directly. |
| How tall should a shower bench be? | Aim for a shower bench height of 450mm at least. |
| How deep should a shower bench be? | Aim for a shower bench depth between 300-400mm. |
Beautiful shower niche, ledge and bench inspiration
Get inspiration for your own shower niche, shower ledge or shower bench with stunning examples. We even spoke to the designers for all their secrets to shower storage success. For longevity, think about how your shower niche, ledge or bench seat will work with the style of your bathroom.
A sleek and subtle shower ledge
Minimalist and understated
Sometimes, less is more, which is precisely the view Monique Hemmingson took when designing the ledge in her own pared-back, minimalist bathroom. “For us, the shower ledge was a way to create a practical space that also limits clutter in the shower and bathroom,” she says.
The shower ledge blends sleekly into the wall, adding a level of functionality that doesn’t impede upon the space in general. “Our aesthetic for the house was to keep things minimal, with practicality in mind,” she emphasises.
A luxurious shower bench and easy-to-reach shower niche
Storage and seating go hand in hand for accessibility
The spa vibes in this ensuite by Ziegler are thanks to its muted but opulent palette, starring a bench seat in pink Patagonia quartzite from CDK Stone. When designing the ensuite, Todd Miller of Ziegler gave the floating bench seat pride of place and used the dramatic stone with earthy pinks that ties together the colours of the floor and wall tiles.
Tempted to add a bench to your bathing space? Take inspiration from the conveniently placed handheld shower in Brushed Nickel from ABI Interiors, which lets users take a seat while washing. Above it, a linear niche runs perpendicular to the bench, creating a neat storage spot for toiletries. The neutral palette adds an elevated touch without overwhelming the eye for the ultimate bathroom bliss.
A colourful shower niche for a characterful bathroom
Statement tapware, storage and tiling abound
This tiled shower niche plays second fiddle to the statement tapware that welcomes warmth into the bathroom, by Vaughan Design and Development. For Holly Vaughan, the joy-filled bathroom had to balance personality and practicality. “Our client has a personal preference for niches over anything fixed onto the walls, so this was a priority for us,” she says.
Holly used colour and curves to give the space its character. The shower niche is subtly tucked away, as are other functional features. “We used two different sizes of the zellige tiles in the shower space, so there is a band of brick-format tiles around the middle section that includes the niche, which is a simple way of adding subtle interest to this area,” she explains.
A bold shower niche that makes a style statement
Contrast is king in this chic shower
A contrasting shower niche makes a bold impression when set against a subdued backdrop, such as in this elegant bathroom, designed by Parker Studio. Paired with light tiles, the addition of dark marble has a luxurious appeal, and the tall, slender niche helps save space. “We were restricted in size, so we opted for a vertical niche, which draws the eye up and makes the most of the high ceilings,” says interior designer Caitlin Parker-Brown.
When it comes to the material selection, a stroke of leftover luck informed the style. “We had leftover marble from our vanity top and splashback, so we were able to use it again in the shower niche,” says Caitlin Parker-Brown of the Cipollino Ondulato marble from CDK Stone that offsets the Sage tiles.
Personal touches and custom inclusions
Glossy kit-kat tiles, organic silhouettes and warm finishes
Perfectly positioned behind a fluted glass shower screen, a long niche fits into the elevated glamour of this mid- century home. Created by Couvaras Architects and the home’s owner and stylist, Kerrie-Ann Jones, the niche sits comfortably at elbow height, similar to the standard size of a shower ledge, at 1200 millimetres high and 80 millimetres deep.
Here, lining up the niche with the tiles allows the handy recess to sit subtly in the background, enhancing the surrounding features such as the palladiana stone floor designed by Kerrie-Ann. A door handle, which was custom-made by Kerri-Ann Jones and Will Maguire, continues the palette of bespoke, personal and also warm finishes.
Villa vibes enhanced with a luxurious shower bench
A spacious bathroom rendered to perfection
No harsh corners, here! Beautifully rendered walls transport this bathroom straight to the Mediterranean, cascading down to a curved bench where decorative items and shower products are neatly displayed. With a design brief inspired by modern Mallorca, Three Birds Renovations opted for a sweeping form for the bench seat. “There are a lot of curves in Mediterranean architecture, so we just knew it would suit this style of home,” says Three Birds Renovations co-founder Lana Taylor. Practical and charming, the curved bench seat injects visual interest and depth while filling the unused space between the shower and bath.
To offset the fresh white palette, blush travertine tiles were selected – a classic choice that emulates the rich Mediterranean landscape – alongside a rustic iron showerhead with a living finish and Reece robe hooks. Crisp coatings of textural Dulux Acratex in White Dune Quarter were finished with clear Dulux Creativo Microcement, evoking a Mediterranean feel that flows from the walls to the bench seat.
An arched shower niche and generous shower bench
A shower space serving style sunny side up
Tiffany Howell of Night Palm designed this sunny bathroom and steam room with a shower niche as well as a shower bench. A colour palette inspired by rays of golden sunlight creates a soothing experience. This is complemented with a delicately arched wall niche that mirrors the wall opposite. Nature and relaxation are central to the bathroom’s look, with the arched niche serving as a point of visual distinction, softening the angles of the bench seat and accentuating visual flow.
While the niche is petite, the generous bench seat offers overflow space to hold products, as well as a place to perch, all wrapped in the honeyed hues of Quartzstone Splendor Onyx. “We wanted to create a sanctuary for our client where she could relax,” shares Tiffany. “We used natural living materials with healing properties and a touch of glam.”
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