Shampoo on the shower base, body wash on the bathtub edge, and a bend down to find the right bottle once the water is running. A convenient home for toiletries deserves planning just as much as the showerhead holder or entrance.
A niche is one approach. In a finished bathroom, a shelf or caddy may deliver a similar improvement without opening the wall.
A niche begins before the tile
A wall recess holds bottles without a projecting basket. It needs suitable space and correct integration with the shower waterproofing. Tile and grout do not replace that layer.
Schluter KERDI-BOARD-SN is an example of a prefabricated niche integrated with the manufacturer’s systems. The formed component helps establish the shape, but connections, fixings and finishing still need to follow its instructions. Buying a waterproof niche does not seal its junction with the wall.
Set the height with a bottle in hand
Check your tallest container, including the pump and room to press it. A niche sized around a small shop bottle may not accept a family-size package or refillable dispenser.
Locate it so people can reach without unnecessary bending or twisting. Walk through use by different household members. There is no single comfortable height for everyone.
One wide recess or two smaller levels?
A wide niche places several products in one row. Two levels can separate the everyday collection from additional items. Each shelf reduces free height, and the arrangement must coordinate with the wall structure.
Consider corners, cleaning and drainage from horizontal surfaces according to the selected system’s documentation. Avoid a detail that leaves standing water. Decorative trims should not obstruct bottle removal.
A wall-mounted shelf
A small shelf can be added to a finished bathroom. In a wet area, its fixings must suit the substrate and penetrations must be sealed in accordance with the chosen assembly. Drilling tile involves more than selecting a drill bit.
Keep the shelf away from a place your shoulder regularly passes. Check usable area and edge height: a tall pump bottle needs a stable position.
A caddy without rebuilding
Simplehuman offers adjustable shower caddies, including hanging and tension-mounted designs. The attachment must suit the bathroom equipment; not every shower fitting is intended to carry additional weight.
Lower-cost adhesive baskets, including those sold on Amazon, need checking for surface compatibility, load and installation conditions. ‘No drilling’ does not mean a product attaches to every tile or comes off without a mark.
Finally, limit the bottles to products actually used. Backups do not all need to live under the spray. Fewer items leave more gripping space and fewer surfaces to clean.
Would you choose a recess within the wall, or a shelf that is easier to change later?
Sources and product information
Product information checked October 17, 2026. Dimensions, compatibility and availability vary by model and market. Product photography is credited to its source.