What Are the Disadvantages of a Shower Niche?

A shower niche looks great in photos, but you're not sure if it's worth the added cost or if it's going to cause problems down the road. While they’re a great choice for storing bottles in your shower, they have their disadvantages.

Shugarman's Bath has completed over 6,000 tub and shower remodels. We've seen how niches hold up, what homeowners love about them, and where they fall short.

This article covers the disadvantages of a shower niche, including cost, size limits, standing water, and waterproofing. We’ll also talk briefly about the advantages. That way, you can decide whether it's the right call for your bathroom.

Table of Contents:

• Shower Niches Cost More Than Other Storage Options
• Shower Niches Can Collect Standing Water
• What Are the Size Limitations of a Shower Niche?
• Can Installing a Shower Niche Cause Waterproofing Problems?
• How Does a Shower Niche Affect the Timeline of a Remodel?
• What Are the Advantages of a Shower Niche?

Shower Niches Cost More Than Other Storage Options

A shower niche is the most expensive storage option you can add to your remodel. A pre-made niche runs roughly $650 to $850 installed.

A custom niche runs closer to $1,200 to $1,400.

Compare this to corner shelves, which run about $100 each. If you want 3 or 4 of them, you're still spending less than the cost of a pre-made niche.

The higher price on a niche comes down to labor. Framing, cutting, waterproofing, and finishing a niche takes more time than drilling in a corner shelf. Installing a pre-made shower niche vertically is less expensive because it drops straight into an open cavity between two wall studs with little extra labor.

Shower Niches Can Collect Standing Water

Because a niche has a solid surface floor, water can sit in it after every shower. It depends on the pitch, meaning the angle at which the niche floor is installed. A perfectly leveled niche floor lets water collect and sit. A floor pitched too steeply won’t let your bottles stay upright. A professional installer will find a balance.

Standing water affects the silicone along the bottom and sides of the niche. Over time, the silicone will need attention sooner than elsewhere in the shower.

Wiping down your niche after each use can go a long way toward preventing water buildup.

What Are the Size Limitations of a Shower Niche?

Wall framing determines the depth of a niche. Because it sits between standard studs, you're working with about 3.5 inches of depth.

Shower niche height is a bigger issue. A pre-made niche installed horizontally gives you about 10.5 inches of usable interior height. Most standard pump bottles fall between 10 and 12 inches. Anything taller won’t fit. If you regularly buy large sizes from a wholesale club, you'll either need the custom niche or a smaller transfer bottle for daily use.

A custom niche uses a waterproof insert available in two heights: 12 and 14 inches. The 14-inch insert fits nearly every bottle you'd realistically use in a shower. Both heights come in four widths: 8, 14, 22, and 36 inches (these measurements are the opening before the finished material goes in, so the usable interior will be slightly smaller). You can choose the color of the niche walls to match your shower or contrast with them as a design feature. The insert is finished with solid surface material and Schluter trim.

Another constraint to consider is what’s behind the wall. Load-bearing studs can't be removed, and venting, electrical wiring, and ductwork running through stud bays can't always be rerouted.

Can Installing a Shower Niche Cause Waterproofing Problems?

Installing a shower niche can cause water problems if it isn’t done correctly. A niche that's properly framed and waterproofed will hold up for years.

An installer needs to cut into a wall to install a niche, which means there’s a new point where water can get behind the surface. Those openings need to be waterproofed well so the niche stays problem-free.

A pre-made niche is a self-contained, waterproof box. The risk is relatively low because there are no seams inside the niche itself.

A custom niche involves cutting through the wall material and framing the opening, which requires proper waterproofing behind it before the niche is installed. This is similar to how a window is framed and sealed.

Tiled shower niches are risky since the grout needs to be resealed every six months to a year. Grout is porous, and most homeowners forget to reseal it. The grout can crack inside the niche. If a crack is present, moisture will find a way in.

How Does a Shower Niche Affect the Timeline of a Remodel?

If you choose to do a shower storage niche, it will require additional time for your remodel. Regardless, installing a niche won’t push a standard tub or shower remodel past a 1-2 day window. But if you were expecting the remodel to be done at noon on the second day, installing a niche can push the crew there until mid-afternoon.

The time to install a pre-made niche is short, since it drops vertically into a standard stud bay with minimal extra framing. A custom niche requires framing the opening, cutting through the wall material, waterproofing behind it, installing the solid surface ledge, and finishing the edges with Schluter trim.

This certainly isn’t a dealbreaker, but it is something to consider when planning.

What Are the Advantages of a Shower Niche?

Despite the disadvantages, a shower niche is a popular add-on that homeowners choose for their remodels.

Space-saving. Niches save space since they're recessed into the wall, rather than protruding into the area you stand in. This matters in smaller showers, since you won’t bump into corner shelves or have to work around a caddy every time you turn around.

They’re aesthetically pleasing. Niches look nice. You can have the shower niche match the wall material to blend in, or use a contrasting backing to make it a standout feature. It has visual appeal while serving as a practical part of your shower.

Storage Capacity. Most pre-made niches have a middle shelf, giving you 2 separate storage areas in one unit. A custom niche has an interior height of 14 inches, which fits nearly every bottle size you'd realistically use.

They’re convenient. You decide where the niche goes and how high it sits. It complements a shower seat since you can place the niche at arm’s length.

They can help with your home’s resale value. A well-finished niche adds to the overall impression of a remodeled shower. It's one of those upgrades that can stand out during a home sale.

Read more about the advantages of a shower storage niche.

Is a Shower Niche Right for Your Shower Remodel?

While it’s a convenient product, shower niches aren’t perfect. They cost more than other storage options, and the niche's size limits which products fit inside it.

Most homeowners who have a shower niche installed don’t regret it. A niche looks good and saves space.

Now that you understand the disadvantages of a shower niche, have a look at shower design choices to help improve your bathroom. That way, you can see if a niche fits in with the design you’re looking for.

If you’re still on the fence about getting a shower niche, check out our Project Gallery to see how it can look in your shower.