Well-executed small details really finish off a bathroom design. They can add so much to a space, whether it's a luxurious addition that encourages a spa-like experience, or an elevated way to introduce much-needed storage.
And we're not talking about the usual bathroom ideas like medicine cabinets or shelving (although they can be utterly stylish), but rather more integrated storage options that feel like a design feature – shower niches and ledges.
But what exactly are they, and how do they differ from one another? Interior designer Emily Henderson has just taken to Instagram to explain all you need to know about these two stylish design options.
If you're currently redesigning your bathroom, it's the perfect time to be thinking about built-in storage. In other rooms of the home, custom cabinetry comes to mind, but the bathroom requires something smaller and more refined.
'Are you team shower niche or team shower ledge?' asks Emily in her reel, before adding 'Not sure? Let me show you the difference.' The approach you choose will depend entirely on your space and bathroom layout.
'Here we have a shower niche, where the space is stolen from the inside of the wall, which is more traditional, versus the shower ledge, where you bump the bottom half of the wall forward into the room,' she explains.
Both need to be considered during the initial design phase, as niches and ledges need to be built into the bones of your space.
A niche, which is a favorable choice for in-shower storage for products you want within easy reach, helps to hide your products and with clever use of tiles, can be disguised into your shower design. This option requires the shower wall to be brought in a substantial depth to accommodate that extra shelf space.
However, if you don't have the square footage to lose quite that much space, a ledge can be a better choice, as it can be designed to be narrower, as demonstrated in the reel.
While a ledge often leaves products more exposed, it's often favored in really small bathrooms for the fact it still looks stylish, takes up much less room, and can be integrated without having to move the location of your shower wall.
'I love both depending on the bathroom, but which do you prefer?,' ends Emily.
Shop stylish shower accessories
Whether you choose a shower niche or ledge, the best way to give your space an elevated finish is with aesthetic accessories. Instead of unsightly plastic bottles for your products, these buys are much easier on the eye.
If you've got cool-toned metals throughout your bathroom design, this set of three pump bottles is the perfect addition to a shower niche or ledge. Available in three colorways, there's a bottle for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
If you prefer something moodier, these bottles have been made to mimic the look of amber glass. There's definitely a vintage influence here – perfect for a niche or ledge in a dark tiles shower for a more cohesive look.
For a more simple approach, these clear bottles with gold hardware are versatile and elegant. The labels are pared-back and the bottles follow no particular aesthetic, so they're versatile to add to a niche or ledge in any bathroom style.
Shower niches and ledges are both enduringly stylish choices. Offering a storage solution that can seamlessly blend into your bathroom design or become a focal feature, it's all about considering the option that works best for your space.
