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Original poster

Shower “niche”/cubby hole

22 replies

MarmiteTermite · 13/10/2018 15:56

We are about to embark on a new bathroom project. We will be having a large shower in a newly created alcove and wonder whether we should have a cubby hole built for putting shampoo/conditioner etc? Our architect doesn’t like them as she said they create a weakness in the wall and get wet and could go manky. They seem very popular on Pinterest though! Can anyone recommend or not? Thanks.

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BubblesBuddy · 13/10/2018 16:10

We have a fully tiled one and it’s fine. You build the wall out to accommodate it though, so it’s more work. We also have a glass shelf from Bathstore and on balance I prefer the tiled niche. I think your builder can’t be bothered to build the wall out!

Original poster

MarmiteTermite · 13/10/2018 16:21

Our builder will be putting in the new stud wall and is happy to do it - it was the architect who doesn’t like them. I can’t make up my mind!

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Popchyk · 13/10/2018 16:28

We have one, which was built by DH. Bit like this pic (not ours but I don't have a photo of ours).

It is just a false wall which is tiled exactly the same as any other wall. It also hides all the pipework of course.

Put the niche high up and off to the side of the shower spray line so that the water does not splash into it.

We did it like that because neither of us likes the freestanding shower caddy hooked over the screen look. Or the shower caddy protruding out from the tiles and into your ribs look. Or the bottles grouped on the shower floor look. I just think they all look a bit messy and an afterthought.

Original poster

MarmiteTermite · 13/10/2018 16:33

That does look good - thank you. We have a tiled ledge currently at the end of our bath (shower over) which is tiled - the grout has gone manky- just don’t want a repeat of that!

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Popchyk · 13/10/2018 16:43

I like the plain ones that just match the rest of the tiles. So that the niche really doesn't stand out. We just have plain white tiles in our shower surround.

I think "feature" niches are quite difficult to pull off and could date quite badly. This kind of thing. Just my opinion of course.

Yes, think carefully about where to put it. Ours is high and out of the way of the splashes, but still easy enough to grab a bottle.

fresh · 13/10/2018 17:37

Here's ours. This was a new studwork wall and the niche fits between the studs. If I'd been on site when the studwork was being done I'd have got them to make a wider niche but there you go.

Original poster

MarmiteTermite · 13/10/2018 18:08

Ooh thanks!! Yes please show me your niches

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Original poster

MarmiteTermite · 13/10/2018 18:10

This is the tiles we want and enclosure pretty similar to what we are having. Not sure how a niche would look!

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Moneydoesntgrowontrees · 13/10/2018 18:10

We have a dispenser on the wall with push buttons. I love it!

bobkate · 13/10/2018 18:13

Ours are lower down and a bit narrow but it was the best I was going to get. The builders and tiles hate them, I suppose it's a lot more phaff. If you are planning one I would say a higher, wider one would be better than mine!! The.pic appears to have gone the wrong way round. Ours are taller and very thin!! Room for tall thin bottles 😁

bobkate · 13/10/2018 18:14

Oh, it's righted itself. This is the way round it is!

bobkate · 13/10/2018 18:14

Oh, and they haven't been siliconed yet or whatever it is they do.

Twistering · 14/10/2018 10:01

Timely post on a blog I follow (love her taste generally) - ledges might be the new thing or definitely same tiles stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/rethinking-the-shower-niche

sbplanet · 14/10/2018 13:10

Thanks @Twistering we're just looking at taking out our bath and putting in a walk-in shower. The bit about ledges is very handy and helpful - the shower needs to be pretty and functional! Do you know any other good sites for shower/bathroom design?

serbska · 14/10/2018 14:49

I like ledges (I also like niches)

Waggily · 16/10/2018 11:45

Just make sure that the space is high enough for your favourite bottles. We now have to shop for short bottles of shampoo and shower gel!

RhythmNBooze · 16/10/2018 11:57

Yes we had one put in as I wanted the wall built out anyway so we can have concealed shower pipes. It's only about 10cm deep but 30 cms high and 40cms wide. It's very practical and I am very happy with it. There is no reason for it to be 'weak' but just make sure your tiler does a good job of trimming the corners so there are no gaps for the water to get in.

SharpLily · 16/10/2018 11:58

The water getting in and making things manky shouldn't be an issue as long as you have enough fall on the ledge for water not to sit in there.

SharpLily · 16/10/2018 11:59

Er, but not so much fall that the bottles won't stand upright, obviously!

Canshopwillshop · 16/10/2018 12:03

Here’s my niche. Got one by the bath too.

wineymummy · 16/10/2018 14:26

Get a pre-formed one and it will reduce the risk of leaks.
www.pureadhesion.co.uk/aquafix-waterproof-recessed-storage-unit-350-x-350-x-100mm.html

Tubbyinthehottub · 16/10/2018 14:30

We have a couple of these in new stud walls. They are great, I really like them. They don't get manky, you just need to wipe it when cleaning, same as you would any surface.

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