Filling awkward niches with shelving?

4 years ago

I have just about given up on what to do with these awkward niches. At this point I am thinking of having a carpenter build shelves in them to match the rest if the existing shelving so the wall has a cohesive feel to it. What do you think?

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chispa

4 years ago

Here is how art would look in the niche:

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Comments (12)

K R
4 years ago
Yes, I might wallpaper the back or at least paint and add some shelves.
chispa
4 years ago
So many options:

1) Paint the back of the niche to match your cabinets and then place some large amazing artwork in them.

2) have carpenter add shelves and back board that match the rest of the wall unit.

3) Big TV in one and art in the other.

4) art in one and shelves in the other

5) have carpenter add closed cabinet like below, if you need more storage space.

6) other combinations of the above
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Trust me, I am just finishing renovating a tiny Master Bath, I know all about space issues! Since we had the same issue as you, two outside walls, we created our niche on the inside wall with the plumbing by building out the wall the width of a 2 X 4 and directing the pipe for the overhead shower behind the niche. With the added thickness of the thinset and tile the inside of the niche is almost 5" deep and with the granite overhang, the bottom shelf is almost 6" deep. We built it tall enough to add a second shelf of tempered glass. Pic of finished MBR niche showing built out end wall I will try and answer all the above questions. 1. If you want to use tiles to create your corner shelves, you would have to live with having your tiler create his own edge, bullnose wouldn't work, as I believe they usually come in only rectangles 3-4" deep. Porcelain are full body colour tiles, so the edge would be same colour as the tile. You would have to see your tiler's work to see if he is neat enough. 2. With custom glass, they just cut around the shelf. That's what my guy did. (One reason I went with framed glass in my guest BR, frameless was more than I wanted to spend with custom) You obviously have them come and measure for the glass after the shower is built. 3. The granite shelves are installed as the tiling is done, so the bottom of the granite sits on the edges of the tiles, and then the next row of tiles is thin-set over the shelf, so that it is securely stuck in place between the two rows of tiles. I am guessing they must have to cut out the top tile to fit around the shelf. (In a niche, the tiles are all on the same plane). I used tempered glass for my second shelf in my MBR niche, as my granite was very thick (I used granite for the bottom shelf sitting on the bottom of the niche). 4. Yes, I have seen grab bars with glass shelves. Try Moen 5. Definitely register for Houzz. You can create your own ideabooks, and save all the pictures that you like.
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I like both niches and having a ledge for shaving. But the niches do need to be up far enough and out of the way of shower spray to keep them from getting gunky. I've found that behind the shower spray doesn't cut it and I hate the corner things that aren't really 'niches'. Had one in a former shower. Also they need to be big enough to put most things actually in them, including tall bottles, with shorter things and razors on an upper shelf within the niche. The lower ledge for shaving should also be out of the way and not so big as to obstruct a person standing under the shower. Good examples, Eureka.
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It really is such an awkward space! Dimensions are 54" w x 72" deep. I appreciate all the responses and suggestions. After playing around a bit with some cut and paste from of my inspiration photos, I've got this image that kind of gives the idea I was hoping might work, but it's a little rough. The back wall could be built out with shelving, maybe 15" deep. Then add a deep sitting area with storage underneath. Probably put in a recessed lighting can with direction toward the shelves, and then either a small ceiling fixture for reading light or a wall mounted fixture on the left. I was hoping to make it a more cozy and less creepy reading nook. I have considered other uses you have mentioned: desk, storage, shelves. Maybe it would be cool to make shelving toward the front of the space that would be on a door, kind of like a secret passage to storage space behind. Keep those ideas coming!
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Reviving this thread as I have purchased the Pottery Barn 30" navy vanity & brass round mirror to go above it. I'm still struggling with whether to demo the niches and hang a piece of art in each's place or to keep the niches and put shelves in. My contractor said the price would be equal for both options. It seems if I demo the niches and hang art in it's place then there really isn't a purpose as to why the walls in the room are at an angle. But, if I decide to keep the niches and put in shelves, then I'm left with what the heck to put on the shelves. Then I'm tasked with finding decorative items to fill the shelves with (I've already looked several times at HomeGoods, Target). Just want to get a vote on what everyone thinks I should do. I'm keeping the floorplan as is. Pics of the vanity, mirror, and proposed artwork (for the demo the niche option) are :
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IdaClaire
4 years ago
I'd go in the direction Chispa suggests. View those "awkward" niches as a golden opportunity to showcase a couple of special, large pieces of art. They could really set the tone for your entire space.
K R
4 years ago
Are they different sizes?
M S
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes unfortunately
latifolia
4 years ago
Did you have these installed, or were they there when you bought the house? Would it be possible to remove the entire top and just keep the bottom units?
M S
Original Author
4 years ago
They were there when we bought the house. We have considered doing that but not sure that’s what I want to do.
jmm1837
4 years ago
I'd put a couple of large pieces of art in there. I don't think the different sizes for the niche would matter at all so long as the artworks themselves were sufficiently different from each other that they didn't look like a "pair." I'd actually see those niches as an opportuniyt to hit galleries and art shows.
K R
4 years ago
If you’re not planning on putting a tv in this room and they’re not the same size I vote for painting the back and putting shelves. Putting art in these niches is just drawing attention to the asymmetry IMO. So weird they’d go to the lengths to build custom niches and not make them symmetrical when they could.
Olychick
4 years ago
I'd paint the wall of the larger one and add some spectacular art. Then I'd have doors made for the one on the right with shelving inside.
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Beth H. :
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
paint the wall a darker color so you don't see the stark contrast.

Then, get yourself some amazing art, photos, whatever, to showcase in those spots.

you don't have a tv to put there? tv for one, and an art piece for the other.

you don't have any paintings or large art? nothing??

here's one of my Mangelsen photos. paint the inner wall black and hang it

or, do two black and white framed photos. (i'd still paint the inner wall black)

Filling awkward niches with shelving?

chispa

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K R

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Filling awkward niches with shelving?

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