The Practical Shower Feature HGTV's Jasmine Roth Swears By For A Luxurious Bathroom
When you're dreaming up creative bathroom ideas, there are lots of things to think about, from countertops to light fixtures and hardware. But according to Jasmine Roth, host of HGTV's "Help! I Wrecked My House" and "Hidden Potential," one factor that you should keep at the front of your mind when envisioning the ideal bathroom layout is shower storage. It isn't always a major priority when folks are undergoing the big task of buying a home or renovating a bathroom, but when it comes to everyday life, a lack of shower storage can become a major inconvenience and the make-or-break difference between a luxurious shower and one that feels subpar. In an interview with Realtor.com, Roth shared a practical feature that could be a game-changer when it comes to your new shower plans: a shower niche.
A shower niche is a little built-in cubby on your shower wall, and it's the perfect home for your soap, shampoo, and other toiletry items, all within easy reach while you're under the warm water. Moreover, a niche can be a gorgeous detail that can truly elevate the style of your shower. And if you've been dying for a little more storage space in your shower, Roth has some excellent thoughts that will help you when considering whether to install a niche.
The pros and cons of a shower niche
Of course, remodeling a bathroom to include a shower niche isn't as easy as it might seem. Adding a recessed opening into a wall comes with considerable factors to address, from the structure of the wall itself to whether it may affect your home's insulation — the last thing you want is to knock out a section of your new shower, only to find that you're staring at an immovable pipe or a weight-bearing stud.
That said, a shower niche is super convenient — no more awkwardly bending over to the floor or a tub edge every time you need shampoo. And while regular shower shelves provide a storage area, they also stick out into the shower and take up unnecessary space. Plus, an open shelf in a wet, slippery environment means that your items will probably fall frequently. The other alternative to built-in shower storage is to buy some kind of shower caddy. These can work great in a pinch, but they usually aren't that durable in the long term and can be magnets for cleaning problems, particularly mold and mildew.
Jasmine Roth also likes shower niches for their aesthetic quality. As she shared with Realtor.com, an imperfect tile pattern paired with a classic shower niche produces beautiful results for a stylish bathroom. If you're a fan of the look, you can use similar tile patterns, like this Marza Rust Ceramic Brown Subway Tile from Home Depot.
Planning a shower niche
If you're planning a major shower renovation or getting an entire bathroom remodel, Jasmine Roth encourages folks to plan the shower niche early on. "A shower niche is one of those things you have to plan for in advance," she told Realtor.com, "because otherwise it won't stay fully waterproof, and it could compromise the framing, the actual structure, of the wall."
Indeed, structural issues are a major concern when planning a shower niche and can have a big impact on the cost of your remodel. To get the most budget-friendly shower niche possible, you should discuss it with your contractor. Understanding where studs and other major structural elements are located can help you decide the simplest spot to put your niche — or, potentially, decide that it just isn't a good choice for your shower setup after all, and something like a shelf or bench might work better.
If having a shower niche is in the cards, you'll also need to think about design. You can do a classic empty rectangle or add a shelf in the middle for another storage level. Having the shelf is nice, but the lower height will limit which shower products you can keep there. Finally, you'll need to pick a tile pattern. Whether you use a simple tile or a special pattern for the niche, like this floral mosaic tile from Home Depot, your shower will soon look extra stylish.