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The Boss’s Daughter
Why Niches Are the Smartest Little Upgrade You Can Make
Why Niches Are the Smartest Little Upgrade You Can Make
When most people think of remodeling, their minds immediately jump to the big-ticket items. New cabinets, sleek countertops, walk-in showers, and kitchen islands usually steal the spotlight. But ask any seasoned remodeler and they’ll tell you — it’s often the smallest details that make a space feel custom, thoughtful, and truly livable. One of our favorite “small but mighty” design elements? The niche.
A niche is simply a recessed space built into your wall. It sounds basic, but the beauty of a niche is that it marries form and function in a way few design features do. Whether it’s in your shower holding your favorite shampoo, in your hallway as a display alcove, in your mudroom as a catch-all for daily essentials, or even above your stove for spices, niches are the unsung heroes of home remodeling.
A custom shower niche adds both function and style. This recessed shelf provides the perfect spot for soaps or décor while keeping the shower uncluttered. Paired with a bold aqua accent strip, it turns practical storage into a design statement.
What Makes Niches So Smart
1. They Save Space Without Sacrifice
One of the biggest complaints we hear during remodel consultations is, “I just don’t have enough storage.” While bigger closets and more cabinets can solve that problem, not every home has the square footage to spare. Niches take advantage of “found space” within your walls, giving you storage that doesn’t encroach on your room.
Think of a shower niche. Instead of bulky hanging racks or bottles balanced along the edge of the tub, a niche gives you a clean, built-in solution. In hallways or living rooms, wall niches can hold décor without crowding the floor with tables or shelves.
2. They Add Personality
Niches may be small, but they pack a punch when it comes to style. By changing the tile, paint, or trim, you can transform a simple recess into a design moment. Picture a shower niche lined in bright glass tile that pops against a neutral wall, or an entryway niche painted a bold accent color to set the tone for the whole home.
One of our favorite touches is adding a small spotlight or LED strip to a display niche. Suddenly, that little alcove feels like a built-in art gallery.
3. They Work Everywhere
While bathrooms might be the most obvious place for niches, they’re incredibly versatile. We’ve installed niches in:
- Bathrooms: For shampoo, soap, towels, or decorative accents.
- Kitchens: Perfect for spices, oils, or cookbooks.
- Hallways & Living Rooms: To display art, books, or collectibles.
- Mudrooms: A functional landing zone for keys, mail, or sunglasses.
The best part? Niches don’t require a massive budget. They’re one of those upgrades that can be incorporated into many remodeling projects with minimal extra cost, while offering maximum benefit.
Niches aren’t just for inside the shower — they can be built into bathroom walls and benches to maximize storage. This clever design creates a tucked-away space for towels or baskets, keeping essentials close at hand without cluttering the floor.
Real-Life Examples from Our Projects
If you’ve been following Toupin Construction’s projects, you’ve probably noticed niches popping up in many of our designs. We can’t help ourselves — they just make sense.
- In one of our recent bathroom remodels, we built a shower niche that runs the full width of the wall. The client chose a striking mosaic tile inside the niche to contrast the soft neutral wall tile. Not only does it provide practical storage, but it also serves as a focal point that makes the whole shower feel elevated.
- A living room alcove we created was transformed into a statement piece with curved lines, rich paint, and glass shelving. Instead of adding a bulky cabinet or bookshelf, the homeowner now has a streamlined, built-in display that showcases their treasures without taking up extra space.
- In another bathroom project, a small, spotlighted niche above the shower bench became the perfect spot to feature a decorative plant and add warmth to an otherwise all-tile space.
- And one of our favorites — a kitchen remodel with a niche above the stove. Instead of leaving that backsplash wall flat, we recessed a space that tied seamlessly into the surrounding tile. It’s a perfect spot for spices, oils, or even a decorative accent that reflects the homeowner’s personality. It turned a simple cooking area into a custom design detail that’s both functional and beautiful.
These projects show that niches aren’t just about practicality — they’re about making your remodel feel intentional.
Niches aren’t limited to bathrooms — they can be built into kitchens too. This backsplash niche doubles as both storage and décor space, adding dimension to the wall while keeping essentials within easy reach. It’s a creative way to make your backsplash functional and beautiful.
Design Tips for Adding Niches
Thinking of adding a niche to your next remodel? Here are a few tips from our team:
- Plan Early: Niches need to be framed into your walls, so it’s best to decide on them during the design stage, not as an afterthought.
- Mind the Height: In showers, niches should be installed at a comfortable height for reaching bottles. For display niches, think about sightlines when standing or sitting in the room.
- Go Bold with Materials: A contrasting tile or paint color inside the niche creates instant visual interest.
- Add Lighting: Especially for display niches, a small spotlight can take it from simple storage to stylish statement.
- Keep It Proportional: Oversized niches can overwhelm a wall, while undersized ones may look like an afterthought. Your remodeler can help you scale it to the space.
A niche can be more than storage — it can be a design centerpiece. This illuminated shower niche adds depth and drama, with mosaic accent tile and built-in lighting that highlights decorative elements. It turns a practical feature into a spa-like focal point.
Why Homeowners Love Them
One of the best parts of including niches in a remodel is seeing how much homeowners use and appreciate them after the project is done. We’ve had clients tell us their shower niche is their favorite part of their new bathroom, simply because it solves a problem they didn’t even realize could be solved so elegantly.
Others love the way display niches allow them to show off personal items without adding clutter. From family heirlooms to modern art, a niche provides a natural stage that makes a home feel unique.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, remodeling isn’t just about making your home prettier — it’s about making it more functional, comfortable, and personal to your lifestyle. That’s why we think niches are one of the smartest little upgrades you can make. They’re versatile, affordable, and impactful.
When you’re planning your next project, don’t overlook these small but mighty details. A niche might just be the perfect finishing touch that makes your remodel feel like home.
Why stop at one niche? This bathroom combines a wide horizontal niche with a vertical multi-shelf niche for maximum storage and style. The geometric accent tile ties the look together, while grab bars ensure the shower is both beautiful and functional.
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