A well-planned shower niche is usually recessed between the wall studs at about 48 to 60 inches off the floor, roughly 14 inches wide in a standard stud bay, and fully waterproofed as part of the tile assembly so it never leaks. Sizing it to your actual bottles, adding a shelf for taller items, and aligning it with your tile layout are what separate a niche that looks built-in from one that looks like an afterthought. Jonathan Edwards is involved on every job, so you get one point of contact and a fixed-price quote with no surprises.

Why Every New Shower Needs a Niche

A shower niche is a recessed shelf built into the wall for shampoo, soap, and razors. It’s 100x better than a corner caddy and it costs almost nothing to add if you’re building the shower from scratch.

Niche Sizes We Install

Niche Type	Typical Size	Best For
Single small	12″ w x 14″ h x 4″ d	Powder bath, single user
Single standard	14″ w x 18″ h x 4″ d	Most bathrooms
Horizontal long	24-36″ w x 6-12″ h	Modern design
Double stack	14″ w x 24″ h (2 shelves)	Couples
Large feature	24″ w x 36″ h (2-3 shelves)	Master ensuites

⚠ Estimate Disclaimer: These are only ROUGH estimates that can vary wildly. Do not take these numbers as gospel. Having a defined scope of work and exact selections will give you clarity.

Where to Place a Niche

Height: 48-60″ off the floor (eye level, easy to reach)
Wall: Opposite the showerhead (to keep products dry)
Never: On an exterior wall (insulation issues in Calgary winters)
Never: Directly in line with the shower spray

Single vs Double Niches

For a couple sharing a shower, install two niches side by side or stacked. Each person gets their own space. Alternative: one wide horizontal niche with a divider.

Shelf Material Options

Matching tile shelf — cheapest, clean look
Contrasting tile shelf — use the accent tile
Stone slab shelf — quartz or marble, premium look ($150-$300)
Stainless shelf insert — modern, easy clean

Waterproofing a Niche (Non-Negotiable)

This is where DIYers get in trouble. The niche is a hole in your shower wall — it needs full waterproofing. Options:

Schluter Kerdi-Board preformed niche (our go-to)
RedGard-coated site-built niche
Wedi or hydro-ban preformed niche

Slope the bottom of the niche 1/8″ forward so water drains out, not in.

Cost to Add a Niche in Calgary

Niche	Added Cost
Single standard (preformed)	$250 – $500
Single with stone shelf	$400 – $800
Horizontal long	$600 – $1,200
Double stack with stone	$700 – $1,400
Large feature (3 shelves)	$1,200 – $2,500

⚠ Estimate Disclaimer: These are only ROUGH estimates that can vary wildly. Do not take these numbers as gospel. Having a defined scope of work and exact selections will give you clarity.

This assumes you’re doing a tile shower from scratch. Adding a niche to an existing shower requires demo and is much more expensive ($1,500-$3,000+).

Design Tips

Line the niche interior with a contrasting accent tile for a pop
Add LED strip lighting inside for a hotel-spa feel
Keep the niche top aligned with a horizontal grout line
Use the same trim/edge treatment as the rest of the shower (Schluter, bullnose, mitred)

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Olympic City Renovations serves Calgary, Priddis, Okotoks, and surrounding communities.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a shower niche add to a Calgary bathroom renovation?

A niche is a small part of the overall shower and tile work, and the cost depends on size, tile and whether it's a single or double niche. Your fixed-price quote will vary based on your selections and square footage.

What's the ideal size and height for a shower niche?

Most niches sit 48 to 60 inches off the floor for easy reach and about 14 inches wide to fit a standard stud bay, sized to hold your bottles with a shelf for taller items. We tailor the dimensions to your tile layout and how you use the shower.

Do shower niches leak?

Not when they're built right — the niche has to be waterproofed as an integral part of the shower's membrane and sloped slightly so water drains out rather than pooling. Proper waterproofing is where careful workmanship really matters.

Where should a shower niche be placed?

Ideally on a dry, non-plumbing interior wall within easy reach of where you stand, and aligned with your tile grid so it looks intentional. We plan the location during design so it lands cleanly in the tile layout.

Shower Niche Ideas & Sizing Guide for Calgary Bathrooms