Most People Miss This Shower Detail, But It’s One of the Smartest Choices Here
I kept seeing this detail pop up in bathroom photos on Instagram and TikTok. At first glance, it looks like a second, oddly placed shower niche. Too low for shampoo. Too deliberate to be a mistake. Once you know what it’s for, you start noticing it everywhere.
That lower niche is a shower shaving niche. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.
What a Shower Shaving Niche Actually Does
This niche isn’t meant for storage. It’s a built-in footrest, recessed directly into the shower wall, designed to give you a stable place to prop your foot while shaving your legs. No balancing acts. No plastic stools. No awkward corners.
Most are positioned about 18–24 inches off the shower floor, right where your foot naturally lifts. Once you use one, it feels obvious in hindsight.
Why It’s Suddenly Everywhere This Year
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I’m seeing these show up constantly in newer bathroom remodels and social media walkthroughs. The reason is simple: bathrooms are getting more intentional.
Instead of adding benches or accessories later, designers are baking small, functional moments directly into the tile layout. A shaving niche keeps the shower visually clean while solving a real, everyday problem.
It also fits perfectly with the current push toward minimal, built-in solutions instead of add-ons.
Why It Works Better Than a Shower Bench
It saves space, especially in narrow or standard-width showers
- It doesn’t interrupt the visual flow of the tile
- It’s always there, exactly where you need it
- It reduces slipping compared to balancing on one foot
In small bathrooms, this detail makes a bigger difference than adding another shelf ever could.
How It’s Being Designed Right Now
What I like most is how subtle these are. Some are simple rectangular recesses. Others are paired with a main shampoo niche for a stacked look. I’ve also seen versions with a slight lip or ledge, tiled in the same material as the walls so they almost disappear.
When done right, it doesn’t read as a “feature”. It reads as smart planning.
Should You Add One?
If you’re already retiling a shower, this is one of those details that costs very little but adds daily comfort. It’s practical, discreet, and feels custom without being flashy.