Introduction to Shower Niches
Every time one of our consultants walks into a sales appointment here in our local Edmonton Market. In a bathroom shower renovation consult, one of the things that our clients often haven’t thought about is the shower niche. Whether you’re interested in a luxury bathroom or simply a clean, premium finish. As professional tile installers in Edmonton, we consider a niche crucial for a well designed functional luxurious space
Table Of Contents
Quick Tips for Designing the Perfect Shower Niche
Sherwood Park Homeowner
Alexander Adamson
"We renovated our shower and are very happy with the finished product. Oscar, Ewald and Judy were very easy to work with and very professional. We appreciated their suggestions and didn't feel pressured at any time. Communication was excellent. We'd happily use them again when the next project comes along."
Why is a Shower Niche a game changer?
Our Team of tile artisans at the Tile Experts think that a shower niche is a crucial feature for a clean continuous look. Also for most of our clients it is that high end finish for a luxurious bathroom renovation.
The niche is where you can have a built in cubby in the wall for organizing your soap, shampoo etc. It eliminates clutter in other areas that you would have had these products if you had no niche, creating a show ready space. It really elevates both the function and the design of a shower.
It is a good way to have everything organized in one area and not clutter the shower floor, or the tub deck, or the curb top by the glass enclosure, or the bench top, and so on. It also is a way to add an accent to the space in a really subtle way. Everyone loves an opportunity for a decoration moment and this would be one for them.
Below is a gallery of images filled with horizontal niches
The niche is where you can have a built in cubby in the wall for organizing your soap, shampoo etc. It eliminates clutter in other areas that you would have had these products if you had no niche, creating a show ready space. It really elevates both the function and the design of a shower.
It is a good way to have everything organized in one area and not clutter the shower floor, or the tub deck, or the curb top by the glass enclosure, or the bench top, and so on. It also is a way to add an accent to the space in a really subtle way. Everyone loves an opportunity for a decoration moment and this would be one for them.
Below is a gallery of images filled with horizontal niches
Gallery of Horizontal Niches
The Expert Consultation Process
Depending on the space, and what our client is looking for we have a few ways we can work with the niche. Often we find that one of the walls is an exterior wall so if the client wants the niche there we end up building a warm wall on the inside and eating into the shower space.
When that is not an option we then use one of the walls that isn't an exterior wall. There are some showers where we end up doing the niche in the Plumbing Fixture Wall. For those situations we end up re rearranging the plumbing configuration for the mixing valve, handheld, and showerhead so that no pipes or water lines obstruct the niche area.
Here are some images of vertical niches:
When that is not an option we then use one of the walls that isn't an exterior wall. There are some showers where we end up doing the niche in the Plumbing Fixture Wall. For those situations we end up re rearranging the plumbing configuration for the mixing valve, handheld, and showerhead so that no pipes or water lines obstruct the niche area.
Here are some images of vertical niches:
Gallery of Vertical Niches
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Niches Sizes
The matter of the size of the niche is really open ended. When it comes to where, orientation and what is usually a quick answer depending on things that are obstructing inside the framing, or plumbing fixtures etc.
Then we have size, whether you want a large height because you use Hair Salon products, or small one for the purpose of shaving your legs; used sort of as a bit of a small bench. All that can be accomplished.
Another option is edge-to-edge design, which adds a sleek look since it appears to be part of the adjacent walls. We use Schluter products for our Shower Systems. Schluter offers us pre-manufacture niche sizes for the benefit of our clients. They are 12” x 6”, 12” x 12”, 12” x 20”, 12” x 28”.
We also build them to custom sizes on site when they are not the right fit for our clients. Here are some pictures of the pre-manufacture niches, and some of the ones we build on site that aren’t that standard sizes:
Then we have size, whether you want a large height because you use Hair Salon products, or small one for the purpose of shaving your legs; used sort of as a bit of a small bench. All that can be accomplished.
Another option is edge-to-edge design, which adds a sleek look since it appears to be part of the adjacent walls. We use Schluter products for our Shower Systems. Schluter offers us pre-manufacture niche sizes for the benefit of our clients. They are 12” x 6”, 12” x 12”, 12” x 20”, 12” x 28”.
We also build them to custom sizes on site when they are not the right fit for our clients. Here are some pictures of the pre-manufacture niches, and some of the ones we build on site that aren’t that standard sizes:
Gallery of Rough In Niches
Why Homeowners Across the Greater Edmonton Area Choose The Tile Experts
- 30+ Years of Experience
- Locally Owned and Family-Run
- 190+ Verified 5-Star Reviews
- Clean, Professional Workmanship
- Flexible Financing Through FinanceIt
Our Tile Installers, install showers & niches the right way the first time so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Custom Niches, kinds and more
We can do vertical with a middle shelf (tiled, or metal) as well as horizontal. We can do 1, 2, 3 or as many as the client would like based on the design choice.
We also have done different material on the ledges, it can be made of counter top material, exact same tile as the rest of the tiled walls, a different tile.
Other times when the client doesn't want trim edge, we’ve done mitered edging for a cleaner more luxurious finish. Schluter trim edges is one of the most popular options. Lastly we have also done lighting solutions in the niche so an extra wow factor.
Here are some niches with different finishes and light features:
We also have done different material on the ledges, it can be made of counter top material, exact same tile as the rest of the tiled walls, a different tile.
Other times when the client doesn't want trim edge, we’ve done mitered edging for a cleaner more luxurious finish. Schluter trim edges is one of the most popular options. Lastly we have also done lighting solutions in the niche so an extra wow factor.
Here are some niches with different finishes and light features:
Gallery of Different Finished & Feature Niches
Conclusion on Shower Niches
In conclusion, a well designed shower niche is a small detail that truly makes a big impact on both the look and functionality of a bathroom.
From our experience installing niches across Edmonton, we’ve seen how thoughtful placement, proper waterproofing, and creative design touches (like lighting or accent tile) can transform a simple shower into a luxurious retreat.
If you’re planning a bathroom upgrade in Edmonton or the surrounding area, our team at The Tile Experts is ready to help you every step of the way. From design brainstorming to a flawless installation, we handle the full process in-house.
From our experience installing niches across Edmonton, we’ve seen how thoughtful placement, proper waterproofing, and creative design touches (like lighting or accent tile) can transform a simple shower into a luxurious retreat.
If you’re planning a bathroom upgrade in Edmonton or the surrounding area, our team at The Tile Experts is ready to help you every step of the way. From design brainstorming to a flawless installation, we handle the full process in-house.
Rate 5-Stars by 200+ Clients
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our Edmonton clients have said about adding niches in their renovated showers:
Fort Saskatchewan Shower Reno with Flawless Results
When we decided to hire the Tile Experts to tile our kitchen backsplash, 2 fireplaces and do a complete shower reno…..we sure made the right choice! Their high-quality work and excellent service gave us the results we had hoped for. Their willingness to listen and address our concerns with constructive & positive feedback without judgement was totally appreciated. Their attention to detail and dedication to quality can’t go unnoticed. They always left their workspace clean & tidy, always! We appreciated their patience, respectfulness, professionalism & expertise throughout the project. We highly recommend The Tile Experts for any tile work you require in your home. Thank you, Tile Expert Team, for a project well done and we hope to do business with you again in the future! An extra thank you to Ewald for tolerating all our questions during the shower reno[...]
Professional Shower Remodel Done Right, Done On Time
Oscar and his team were professional and well organized through the whole process of renovating our shower.
There were no surprises, the project was on time and on budget.
If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom I would highly recommend The Tile Experts [...]
Seamless Shower Renovation Experience in Edmonton
We renovated our shower and are very happy with the finished product. Oscar, Ewald and Judy were very easy to work with and very professional. We appreciated their suggestions and didn't feel pressured at any time. Communication was excellent. We'd happily use them again when the next project comes along [...]
Ensuite Shower Retiled with Exceptional Craftsmanship
We hired the Tile Experts to replace and re-tile our ensuite shower. The team was excellent from start to finish and delivered a high quality product. We are very happy with the company and the results. It’s a small family business that we are happy to support[...]
From Rotted Shower Wall to Stunning Remodel
We had found that the wall behind our shower had rotted out.
After shopping around we found The Tile Installation Specialists and they were great to work with. Willing to work within our budget, helping us choose the best options for us.
The work done was amazing.
Couldn't be happier[...]
Quality Shower and Bathroom Tile Installation
They did a great job on our shower and bathroom floor. A little expensive, but definitely quality work and nice people.
Positive
Quality, Professionalism
Services
Floor tile installation, Flooring, Shower tile installation, Waterproofing [...]
Our Frequently Asked Questions
A shower niche is a recessed shelf built into your shower wall for storing shampoo, soap, and other products. It keeps your shower organized and gives it a clean, custom look. One of the most requested features in our Bathroom Renovation Tile Experts consultations.
Yes. Most showers can accommodate a niche, but placement depends on wall framing, plumbing, and waterproofing details. During our design consultation, we assess your layout to ensure the niche is both functional, well designed and that it will be a guaranteed installation.
The most common size is about 12” x 28”, but we custom-size every niche to match your products, wall tile dimensions, and grout line layout. That way it looks intentional, not “cut in after the fact.”
We typically position it on the main wall at chest or shoulder height, avoiding plumbing walls when possible. For larger showers, we sometimes design double or vertical niches for symmetry and storage balance.
We use the full Schluter waterproofing system, including pre-formed niche boxes or custom-built niches wrapped in Kerdi membrane. That ensures complete protection behind every tile layer. We are backed by Schluter since all our installers are fully certified by Schluter.
Absolutely. Integrated LED lighting is a popular upgrade. It highlights the tile texture and gives a spa-like glow. We plan for lighting early in the design stage so wiring and waterproofing are seamless.
We match materials and metal finishes (like brushed nickel, matte black, or brass) to the shower drain and fixtures. This detail work is part of what makes a Tile Experts shower look cohesive and high-end.
It depends on the size, tile type, and whether lighting or accent materials are included. Typically, a niche adds only a small fraction to the total shower renovation cost, however it makes a big difference in look and function.
