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Adding A Shower Niche

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Adding A Shower Niche

A shower niche was a must in my bathroom gut remodel. You know when you decide to gut a space, you create a must have list? Well, one of the many on my bathroom remodel was Adding A Shower Niche. No more soap or shampoo bottles sitting at the edge of the tub ALWAYS falling and no more meaningless soap shelves that are just not big enough to hold anything, even a bar a soap.  So, when I was searching for contractors my first questions was, “can you add a niche?” And yes, some contractors said, “cannot guarantee it” or simply “no,” and it was at that exact moment I moved on to the next contractor.
As you may be following, we have gutted the bathroom and now it is time to re-build.

First thing on the list is creating a recessed niche in the shower. Now, ideally I wanted it to be SUPER long, like really long, from almost one end of the shower to the other. Basically a full width shower niche.

BUT, of course, as my luck would have it, there was some pipes behind this wall that wouldn’t allow for a longer niche. However, I was lucky enough that it was off to one side and not in the middle of the walls. At first, I played around with the height, trying to figure out how high it should be and how many actual inches wide. Since I have little rascals in the house I did not want it too high that they couldn’t reach it comfortably, so that determined where the bottom would be. Then I learned that it needed to be at least a foot tall, that it would be able to place shampoo bottles with easy.
Here are the original 2×4’s and it looks like nothing is in my way, but there is a water line pipe behind the left 2×4. Also, I did not want an un-centered niche or deal with the cost of moving posts for a niche.

So I opted to keep keep it centered here and work with just one existing 2×4.

Okay, so next decision was to see if I wanted to make the niche with existing subway tiles or add an accent tile. Initially, it wasn’t a hard decision when I found out I did not have enough subway tiles to go up to the ceiling. Oh, just go buy more?? Well, the manufacturer, Bellavita does not return emails or phones calls and I couldn’t find a local source after 2 months of searching. As a result, I was stuck and had to add accent tiles to the niche, like this one.

Terri Koss HGTV
Which is not really what I wanted. On tile install day I looked at my amazing contractors and subs and made the decision to NOT take the tiles to the ceiling, bring it down 1.5 feet to make it even with the windowsill AND then that would give me enough tiles to create a unified niche.
I basically forgoed the “to ceiling” tiles to get a unison niche in one design, and this is all because we ran short of tiles and the manufacturer would not return phone calls wauh wauh.
Okay, so here is my confession. If you know me (or follow me) I am always on a hunt for a bargain. There is this local Facebook Garage Sale site. Basically, it is a private facebook page of people selling their “garage sale” stuff. Last year, someone in a neighrboring suburb was selling 8 boxes of Bellavita H-line Subway tiles in a light grey / pumice color. The second I saw them I grabbed them. I didn’t have an exact project in site, but, lets just say they were selling it at 55% off and they are killer tiles.
Because I bought this via a virtual garage sale I did not have the bullnose or rounded edge tiles to finish the sides. I didn’t think it would be a problem because I was positive I could source them. Well, after months of trying I couldn’t get a hold of a Bellavita rep and it turns out they don’t even manufacture bullnose edged subway tiles. I freaked, I did. But don’t tell my husband.
Contractors arrive onsite and ask for the bullnose tiles. I resorted to social media and outed Bellavita. Guess what, they replied and I would only have to drive 2 hours one way to fine the bullnose tiles. Um, no thanks. Well, one day while at Floor & Decor picking up my floor tiles I told the salesman my dilmena. He suggested a schluter.
I knew what that was and told him, “no way because I don’t want the white or chrome popping out of the tiles,” (since I had only worked with white and metal schluters). FYI, schluters are edges that add finishing touches to cut tile, so you don’t see the cut. That metal thing (below) between the tile and rug)
Okay, so the Floor & Decor guy was like, “ummm, honey we sell schluters in a ton of different colors and finishes.”
WHAT?!?!?
I ran over and no joke, found a schluter in almost the exact same color as my H-line Subway Tile
I know! Perfection. Do you even see it?  Okay, maybe, because you know to look but I say it is pretty flawless for $5 BUCKS!

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Comments

  1. Janice says

    Your bathroom looks amazing! We are in the middle of redoing our bathroom, and this tile edging is exactly what we need. Can you tell me what size you used? And also what is the thickness of your tile?

    • Cecilia Cannon says

      Hello Janice – the tiles were 1/4″ thick. And the edging is actually Schluter edging from Floor and Decor, the have a large selection of colors and metals.

  2. RedMist says

    Your subway tile looks awesome! I dont see a a waterproofing membrane or painted waterproofing on your Durock. I hope there was something installed for longevity of your shower and moisture, mold, and mildew protection. Durock, thinset, tile, and grout are not waterproof.

    • RedMist says

      *USG Durock cement backer board is not inherently waterproof. Durock does make a waterproofing membrane but it does not appear to be what you have considering I can see screw holes. Durock is mold and mildew resistant making it great for bathroom floors that occasionally get wet but not as the primary shower backer. The last shower I did I used thinset to apply a waterproofing membrane right over dry wall. Cement backer board isn’t even necessary.

  3. Jeremy Thompson says

    Basically, as your article mentioned, shower niches will be perfect to keep your shower items organized. That will be perfect as it is quite messy without a place to put ours. I’ll be sure to have a look at some more niche ideas to make our bathroom look more appealing too. Thanks!

  4. Laura says

    Hi, I know it’s been awhile since you posted this, but I’m hoping you see this anyway. I’m curious if you could tell me what color edging this is. I’m installing a different bellavita pumice colored tile and I am struggling with how to edge it.

    Thanks!