Shower only : build in soap/shower gel spaces/holder?

[fastliving]

I having an enclosed shower installed downstairs as part of an extension.
Im not sure what to do about all the bottles of shower gels/shampoo etc.
I am trying to switch to soap to reduce the plastic, but it doesn't work with my hair.
Its my pet hate to have them on the shower tray, but whats a good storage solution (within the shower enclosure)?

A recess means building out a false wall so you lose that space. That was the main reason we didn’t do it. Not to mention it retains water and goes mouldy. We bought a brass chrome-coated basket from John Lewis that screws to the tiles. No rust and no problems.

We have a cupboard under the sink
Each person has their own basket - shower gel shampoo etc and it works

Yes you have to buy a few to start but it evens out

Our shower cubicle has walls on 3 sides - so brick wall which is plastered and 2 stud type walls - they always have depth, so no loss of space. I guess when people have a quadrant type enclosure they only have 1 real wall and it might be solid, meaning carving out a niche is a big job or a wall would be built in reducing space. That might make creating a niche not worth it in terms of work and loss of space.

Do most showers have 3 walls or do most have just 1 and then sides of some other material? It determines the no of walls a niche could actually go on.

A recess means building out a false wall

Ours was built in.

Because we had all the ‘walls’ removed we built in - between the studs and then fully water proofed, tiles tilted so water runs out, then tiled and sealed. No different to any other tiled space 🤷‍♀️ and no loss of space.

Same with the shaving / medicine cabinet. Drawers in the vanity is lots of space and to finish the loo is extra high (easier when you’re tall), and no rim, so cleaner.

Anyway, whatever makes you happy. I loved all the smashing down and rebuild.

We have one, I wish I made it bigger

If one of your shower walls is a stud wall then definitely put in a niche, waterproofed and tiled with a slight slope as pp says.

We have ours at the shower head end and it doesn’t get soaked (but it’s not a rainfall shower so water goes away from the niche not straight down iyswim)

Addis invisifix

I built some niches into our en suite. Make sure there is enough of an angle on the shelves that water drains off but your shampoo doesn't fall.

Made the shower feel much bigger too.

Had lots of space behind because the soil stack is there.

Great for resting a foot on the bottom shelf too for some leg shaving

I wanted an indent and DP said no. And now moans that all the shower gel and shampoo is left around the shower tray . Do it if you can.

For very small showers the glass shelf higher up works unless you are well over 6 ft of course.

If anyone has a mouldy niche - try cleaning the shower! Or install a fan that works.

Most new plumbing can be installed behind a stud wall which gives space for a.niche. Unless you want the exposed look.

Exposed plumbing, especially the mixer, is vastly less troublesome when it goes wrong.

Much sadness occurs when tiles have to be hacked off and walls chiselled open to get at a leak.

You can buy ready made niches that just need tiling. Or you can build one in.

This chap is an incredible tiler, this video shows you how to make sure it doesn't leak. I didn't put a niche in as the shower was over the bath in the children's bathroom so they have shower caddies at the non-water end but we did tank it like he does with the green stuff.

Zandana123 Nice shower! Liking all the niches - my tradie hates doing them cos it’s lots of work, so I was happy with one 😂

Main bathroom is next and there’ll be an alcove in the shower and over the bath because I’m evil!

I’d love to see more pics of other people’s bathrooms 😍

And I have a before and after of our en-suite if anyone’s interested. I spammed pics earlier so understandable I’ve bored you all to tears already.

I have had real problems with poorly grouted tiles leaking.
So I have moved to the wall board enclosure. This looks like a 'formica' type material. Comes in 4' by 8' panels so there is a lot fewer joints to leak.
Then I use a shampoo dispenser that hangs on the shower control.
Leak free bathroom, now.