Adding a shower niche is one of the most functional and visually clean updates you can make to a bathroom. It opens up storage space without crowding your shower walls with hanging baskets or bulky shelving. And when it’s done right, it also pulls the look of your tile layout together, giving your bathroom a cleaner, more organized finish.
This guide walks you through how to install a shower niche step-by-step, with real considerations for planning, installation, and design. This applies to both renovations and new builds, offering practical insight into what matters, what doesn’t, and how to avoid missteps that lead to costly repairs.
1. Plan Your Layout and Placement
Map out where the niche should go. You’re aiming for a location that’s easy to reach when showering but won’t be directly in the spray path. This helps reduce standing water inside the niche, which limits the risk of mold growth or water damage over time.
When thinking about size and layout, consider what you’ll actually store. A single bottle? Multiple products? Do you need space for razors or loofahs? Start with the function, then look at how the niche will fit into the larger tile layout.
Pay attention to where grout lines will land. You want the niche to look like it belongs within the tile design, not like it was squeezed in afterward. Lining it up with existing or planned grout lines makes the installation cleaner and visually cohesive. If you’re using accent tile inside the niche, keep that in mind when sketching out proportions.
This is also the time to decide on what kind of tile for shower niche makes the most sense. You can go for a seamless look using the same tile as your shower walls or introduce a design pop with something like a herringbone accent tile. Either way, make sure your layout choices are intentional, not improvised mid-build.
2. Choose Between Preformed and Custom-Built Niches
You have two options when it comes to constructing the niche: preformed or custom-built.
- Preformed niches are made of foam or plastic and come waterproofed and ready to tile. They’re faster to install, which reduces labor time, and they come in standard sizes. If your wall studs align and you don’t need a specific shape, this is the more straightforward option.
- Custom-built niches offer more flexibility with size and shape, but they take longer to build and require extra attention to waterproofing. You’ll need to frame the niche, apply a waterproof membrane, and be precise with your dimensions.
Think about your project timeline, budget, and level of risk tolerance. Preformed niches reduce the chance of leaks, while custom niches give you creative control. If you’re tiling a non-standard space or want to mix different types of tiles across shelves or compartments, custom is often the better route.
3. Frame and Prep the Space
Once you’ve decided on placement and type, open up the wall. Cut the cement board or backer board carefully, using a level and tape measure to mark where you’ll make your cuts. If you’re working with existing tiles, this part will involve more demolition, and you’ll need a reliable method to drill hole placements for screws without cracking surrounding material.
Next, horizontal supports between the wall studs are installed. These will frame the top and bottom of your niche. Keep your level handy at all times—a crooked frame will throw off the entire tile pattern and affect drainage inside the niche.
At this point, double-check your measurements before installing anything permanent. It’s easier to adjust framing now than to fix a misaligned niche after the tile goes in.
4. Waterproofing is Non-Negotiable
Skipping proper waterproofing is one of the fastest ways to create long-term damage behind your walls. You’re working in a high-moisture environment, so every surface of the niche needs to be sealed.
If you’re using a preformed niche, apply a waterproof sealant along all seams and edges where it meets the cement board. For custom-built niches, use a liquid waterproofing membrane or waterproof sheet membrane over the entire interior, wrapping it around corners and over edges.
Use a continuous, uninterrupted layer. Don’t cut corners—literally or figuratively. Pay attention to detail here: every seam should be reinforced, and every corner sealed with precision. A bead of sealant around the niche perimeter helps create a watertight bond between the tile and the niche frame.
5. Tile the Niche
Start tiling the inside of the niche before moving to the surrounding shower wall. This lets you control the visual focal point and keeps the outer tile cuts aligned with your design.
Use a tile adhesive suitable for wet areas. Apply it in small sections, working from the back of the niche to the front. Lay the bottom tile first, then move to the back wall, and finally the sides and top. Keep an eye on your spacing. Tight grout lines and clean cuts are what make the niche look professionally finished.
Using accent tiles inside the niche is an effective way to differentiate the space. A change in color, texture, or pattern draws the eye and helps define the area without adding visual clutter. If your surrounding tile is matte, a glossy or textured accent tile can create a refined contrast without being too loud.
Once the interior is done, tile the outer edges. Some people use metal edge trim here for a clean border, while others prefer a mitered edge for a more seamless transition.
6. Grout and Seal
After the adhesive sets, it’s time to grout. Use a rubber float to press the grout firmly into all seams. Keep your lines consistent, and wipe excess grout quickly with a damp sponge.
When it’s dry, apply grout sealer to protect the surface from moisture and staining. This step is often overlooked but makes a difference in longevity and appearance.
Also, seal the corners of the niche with a flexible silicone caulk, not grout. This allows for natural movement in the wall without causing cracks. Run a thin bead of sealant along each edge, then smooth it out with your finger or a caulking tool.
7. Think Through Finishing Touches
Consider how the niche plays into the broader design bar you’re aiming for to revamp your bathroom. Does it match your fixtures and finishes? Is it aligned with the faucet or the towel rack? These small decisions pull the space together and make the installation look intentional.
Also, think about usability. A niche that’s too deep can collect water; one that’s too shallow might not hold bottles securely. Try placing a few of your everyday products in the niche before sealing everything up. You’ll get a better sense of how it performs day to day.
Conclusion
Installing a shower niche adds long-term functionality and makes your bathroom feel more organized. Done right, it integrates with your shower tile design, adds storage space without bulk, and prevents the mess of cluttered corners or plastic shelves. The key is in the prep work: accurate measurements, smart material choices, and waterproofing that holds up over time. A clean, functional niche doesn’t just look modern—it performs as it should.
