A great way to make more room in your shower is to add a niche or 'built in shelf'.  Instead of the hanging shower caddy or setting your bottles on the ground or ledge, you can tuck all of your soaps, shampoos, conditioners, razors, etc in a built in shelf.  If you organize your shower or bath space it will feel larger than it really is.  These small recessed spaces have becoming in new tile showers or shower remodels in both old and new homes.

Niche Size and Location
The first thing you need to figure out is the size of the niche you need in your shower before you consider location.  Once you determine the necessary size, you can plan where it will go to accommodate your dimensions.  Think about the size of your shampoo bottles and make sure you have enough room to fit everything. 

Once you decide on the size and your location on the wall, fine-tune its position with a story pole to be sure that the niche opening will line up with the grout joints.  You should transfer the layout marks from the story pole to the studs to orient the framing of the niche and then again on the backer-board once its installed to guide the layout. 

Frame your Niche Larger than Necessary
When framing your niche opening, use horizontal 2X blocking between the existing studs . No matter the framing, always frame the niche at least 3/4 inch to 1 inch larger than you want the final opening to be to accommodate your tile.  It will give you more options for tile type and placement.  If you're using quarter-round edge tiles, give yourself even more room for your mortar, backer-board and tile. 

Lay Tile Like A Typical Wall
Tiling a wall with a well-appointed niche is done like any other wall-tiling project.  When working in the shower niche, you can install a row of tiles on the bottom of the niche first, then a row in the back that are flush with the bottom tiles.  In some bathrooms you can replace the bottom tiles with a piece of solid stone for a dramatic yet elegant look.  The installation sequence is the same but the visual interest is certainly not.

If you are looking to buy bathroom tiles for your niche, check out a local home improvement store (Home Depot or Lowes) or a tile specific store.  For granite tiles, check out the Lazy Granite website.  They offer granite tiles for bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects.

Here is a good video of a couple who remodeled their bathroom.  As you can see they completely guttered their bathroom, installed new tile, new shower.  They used a really cool faux wood tile on the floor with a black grout.  This is becoming more and more popular in residential remodels. 

For more another helpful resources about bathroom tile, check out our other blog post: Types of Bathroom Tile

The second most remodeled room in the house is usually the bathroom.  They vary in size and what appliances are in them.  Turning 40 sq ft into a room that feels more spa than latrine is a challenge, because you cannot very well remove or add a wall to share space with an adjacent room. All this being said, remodeling the bathroom of any house a great investment and can be the most profitable of any do-it-yourself project at home.

Tubs and Showers
A popular low-cost remodeling solution for a bathroom includes an acrylic tub and three-piece surround. You can buy a high-quality tub with insulation to keep the water warm and durable finish that cleans easily. And replacement tub surrounds are generally of a higher grade than those used in new construction.  Because surrounds come in pieces, you can carry them through doors and install them in tight spaces.  Some even snap together and don't require caulking.  

A three or four part shower stall consists of a base and wall panels. It can be installed easily against an existing or newly framed wall. The better acrylic products keep their shape over time without deforming, while less expensive fiberglass units require backing.  Many manufacturers make walls or surrounds that you can place over existing tub or shower pan.

If you do not have a lot of space, a small base or pan with glass shower enclosures could be a better solution for your bathroom.  They are half the size as a tub and are affordable to install.

Ceramic or Granite Tiles
If you like tile, the easiest and least expensive approach to a new bathroom appearance starts with acrylic bathtub or shower base, rather than a site-built base and then lining the walls with a lightweight tile backer suck as the Georgia-Pacific DensShield. This stiff gypsum board is waterproof and easy to cut so all you need to do is caulk the corners and apply the granite tile.

Resurfacing and Repair
An old-fashioned claw tub makes bathing an especially pleasurable experience because of its deep sides and length.  If you have a battered cast-iron tub that you'd rather not replace, you may consider reglazing it.  You can do this by using an epoxy, sometimes applied to the old surface electrostatically.   A more durable but more expensive way is to install an acrylic tub liner molded to fit inside the tub with a front apron that covers the old fixture entirely.  Some manufacturers offer wall panels as well. As an added bonus, the extra layer has an insulating effect so your bath water will stay hot longer. 

For help with bathroom tiles and shower door enclosures, we recommend checking out Bath & Granite 4 Less.  They have a great selection of bathroom tiles and various sized shower doors, perfect for any home remodel project.

Written by George Samford
Tile bathrooms provide the most attractive, durable and cleanable surfaces available. They stand up to repeated soaking, easily wipe clean, and always stay fresh looking. While they take a bit of work to replace, tile surfaces are a great bet if you're planning to remodel.
Not every tile is appropriate for your home, however. Bathroom tile comes in a range of sizes, shapes and materials that all provide different benefits and downsides. Depending on the look you prefer and how you use your bathroom, you may want traditional glazed ceramic, stone tile or even terracotta. Here's what you should know.
Glazed Ceramic
Glazed ceramic tile is what most people think of when someone mentions tiling a bathroom. This tile is simple, attractive and cost effective. It survives impact relatively well and has a glossy surface that makes it easy to clean, though grout lines may pick up some dirt. Glazed ceramic tile can be slippery when wet, however, and tends to make a bathroom look very conventional. This type of tile offers the largest variety of colors and finishes.
Unglazed Ceramic
Unglazed ceramic tiles, including traditional red terracotta, provide an alternative to standard glazed tiles. This material has a rougher surface and more natural look than glazed materials. It is extremely durable and works very well in bathrooms with a rustic look. This material can absorb water readily, however, so it may be a good idea to glaze it for use in the bathroom. Like glazed tile, unglazed ceramic is relatively inexpensive.
Extruded Quarry Tile
The term "quarry tile" can be misleading. This material resembles the stone tile once mined in quarries, but is now produced using an extrusion technique and is made primarily of clay. Extruded quarry tile still looks a lot like stone, however, with a rough surface that makes it comfortable and practical for flooring. This material tends to be very porous, much like unglazed ceramic, and should be sealed before use in the shower or other very wet areas.
Stone
Real stone tile gives your home an elegant look and feel that ceramics can't provide. This material offers a luxurious natural look and comes in a wide variety of colors and types. Granite and travertine are two of the most popular options. These tiles are relatively porous and may require sealant. Some stone tiles are also easy to scratch. This luxurious choice comes with an appropriately luxurious price tag, so be sure to budget carefully before you commit to using it.
Glass
Often used in mid-20th century bathrooms, glass is making a comeback for vintage looks. It offers many of the same advantages as glazed ceramic, with a transparency that can be appealing in walls or showers. Glass tile is more costly than its ceramic cousins, however. This material often comes in pre-designed sheets with patterns or color gradations built in. It works well on its own or in combination with ceramic and stone tiles as an accent.
Engineered Stone
This relative newcomer looks much like stone but isn't as natural. Engineered stone tile is made up of tiny bits of stone in an epoxy-based matrix. This material is more predictable and water-resistant than natural stone, with a surface that's harder to damage. It doesn't look as natural, however. Some homeowners take advantage of this material's man-made look, choosing "stone" tiles in bright, glittery colors. Engineered stone is relatively costly, but lower in price than natural stone.
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