Bathroom with niches: stylish and practical at the same time

A bathroom with niches is one of the smartest ways to bring function and design together. Loose racks, baskets and shelves often make the bathroom look messy, while built in niches create calm, overview and a luxurious atmosphere. They also fit perfectly with popular bathroom styles such as modern, Japandi, hotel chic and minimalist design. That is why more and more people choose a bathroom with niches during a renovation or complete bathroom makeover. Not only because it is practical, but also because it instantly creates an exclusive look. In this blog, we show you how to use niches smartly, which options there are and how to give your bathroom a stylish upgrade.

Why choose a bathroom with niches?

A bathroom should not only be beautiful, but also pleasant to use every day. This is exactly where niches make a big difference.

Built in niches provide storage space without adding extra furniture. This keeps the space clear and makes the bathroom look bigger. Especially in modern bathrooms, where sleek lines are central, niches are a valuable addition.

Benefits of niches:

Fewer loose accessories
More calm in the design
Extra storage space
Luxurious look
Easy to keep clean
Suitable for small and large bathrooms

You can also fully match niches to your personal taste. Think of a niche with mood lighting, a contrasting tile or a subtle finish that blends completely into the wall.

Bathroom with niches in the shower

The most popular use of a bathroom with niches

When people think of a bathroom with niches, they usually think of the shower first. That is not surprising, because this is where niches offer a lot of ease.

Shampoo, shower gel and care products get a fixed place without needing loose racks. This creates a sleek and tidy look.

For a luxury effect, people often choose:

Horizontal niches across the full width of the shower wall
Vertical niches from floor to ceiling
Lit niches with LED lighting
Niches with accent tiles

A horizontal niche especially creates a modern hotel look. It feels calm and instantly gives the space an exclusive character.

Bathroom with niches next to the bath

Do you have a bath? Then niches around the bath can also have a stylish function.

Candles, fragrance sticks, towels and bath products get a beautiful place without filling up the edge of the bath. This keeps the atmosphere calm and organised.

A niche above the bath can also be used as a decorative element. By adding natural materials, plants or mood lighting, you create a wellness feeling that reminds you of a luxury spa.

More and more often, we see designers combine several niches for a playful but elegant effect. This works especially well in larger bathrooms where the wall offers enough space.

Bathroom with niches for extra storage space

Smart solutions for a tidy bathroom

A bathroom with niches is not only about appearance. It also offers many practical benefits.

In many homes, there is quickly a lack of storage space. Care products, towels, electrical devices and cleaning products all need a fixed place.

By integrating niches smartly, you can store a surprising amount without making the bathroom look full.

Popular places are:

Next to the washbasin cabinet
Above the toilet
In a front wall
Behind a mirror wall
In a partition wall between shower and toilet

This allows you to use every centimetre while keeping the design sleek.

Which tile should you choose for niches?

The finish of a niche largely determines the look of the bathroom.

You can choose the same tile as the rest of the wall. This creates a calm whole where the niche is subtly present.

Do you want to create an eye catcher? Then you can choose:

Contrasting tiles

Dark tiles in a light bathroom create depth and character.

Mosaic tiles

Mosaic creates a luxury look and works especially well in niches because of the smaller surface.

Wood look tiles

Wood look tiles add warmth and fit perfectly with natural bathroom styles.

Natural stone look

For an exclusive wellness atmosphere, natural stone look tiles are a popular choice.

The most important thing is that the chosen finish matches the rest of the design, so the bathroom remains one harmonious whole.

Bathroom with niches and lighting

Bathroom with niches that instantly feels luxurious

A bathroom with niches gets even more character when you add lighting. Indirect LED lighting is especially popular today.

A subtle light line at the back of the niche creates depth and adds a warm atmosphere. Especially in the evening, this gives a relaxed wellness feeling.

Benefits of lit niches:

More atmosphere
Luxury hotel look
Better visibility
Extra depth effect
Modern appearance

Warm white light is used most often because it creates a calm and comfortable atmosphere.

Niches in small bathrooms

Many people think niches are only suitable for large bathrooms. The opposite is true.

Especially in compact spaces, niches offer huge benefits. Because they are built into the wall, they do not take up extra floor space.

A small bathroom benefits from:

More storage space
Fewer loose accessories
A more spacious feeling
A sleeker look

By making smart use of front walls, niches can often be added surprisingly easily during a renovation.

Which shapes are possible?

The classic rectangle remains the most popular, but today there are many more options.

Think of:

Horizontal niches

Perfect for modern and minimalist bathrooms.

Vertical niches

Create height and a luxury look.

Several niches next to each other

Ideal for a playful design.

Large statement niche

A striking architectural element that immediately draws attention.

The right shape depends on the available space and the style you want.

Combining a bathroom with niches with popular interior styles

Japandi

Japandi is all about calm, simplicity and natural materials. Niches fit perfectly with this because they create a tidy look.

Hotel chic

Lit niches with dark tiles or natural stone look instantly create an exclusive hotel atmosphere.

Modern bathroom

Sleek lines, large tiles and minimalist niches form a perfect combination.

Natural bathroom

Wood look tiles, soft earth tones and subtle niches strengthen the feeling of relaxation.

Whatever style you choose, niches can almost always be integrated seamlessly into the design.

What should you keep in mind?

Before having niches installed, there are a few important points to consider.

Make sure that:

The position is practical for daily use
The size fits the products you want to store
The waterproofing is carried out professionally
The lighting is suitable for damp spaces
The finish matches the overall design

A well designed niche feels as if it has always been part of the bathroom. That is exactly why a well thought out design is essential.

Turn your bathroom into a stylish and practical space

A bathroom with niches offers the perfect combination of luxurious style, smart storage and calm in the design. Whether you choose a niche in the shower, next to the bath or as a decorative element near the washbasin cabinet, the possibilities are endless.

At Jouwdroombadkamer, we are happy to think along with you about a bathroom design that fully suits your wishes, style and available space. Do you want to discover how niches can transform your bathroom? Contact us for personal advice or book a free advice meeting directly. Together, we create a bathroom you can enjoy for years.

No, a wellness bathroom does not have to be large. Even in a smaller bathroom, you can create a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere with the right layout and materials. By choosing calm colours, smart storage solutions, warm lighting, comfortable shower features, and high quality finishes, even a compact bathroom can feel like a personal wellness space.
In 2026, the biggest bathroom trends are natural colours, large format tiles, and wellness inspired features. Warm tones, subtle textures, and materials with a natural look help create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Spacious walk in showers, shower niches, mood lighting, and comfort focused details are also becoming increasingly popular, turning the bathroom into a true wellness space.
A shower niche is possible in many bathrooms, but it depends on the wall structure, the position of the pipes, and the available space in the shower. A shower niche must be installed properly and finished waterproof to prevent problems. During the design process, we are happy to check whether this is possible in your bathroom.
A shower niche is a practical and stylish storage space built into the shower wall. It allows you to store shampoo, soap, and other shower products without the need for separate shelves or baskets. This creates a clean and tidy look and fits perfectly in a modern, streamlined bathroom.
The cost of a shower niche varies from bathroom to bathroom. The price is mainly determined by the size of the niche, the chosen finish, the tiling, and the installation. It is also important that the shower niche is installed with proper waterproofing to ensure it remains safe and durable for years to come. During the design process, we can advise on the option that best suits your wishes and budget.