If you are looking for the top shelving for a walk-in shower, then look no further. Below are four top choices, how they work, where they trip up, and what you should keep in mind when selecting a bathroom shelf for your next renovation.

The Shower Niche

What it is:
A recessed shelf built directly into the wall cavity of your shower. It’s tiled in, flush with the wall, holding shampoo, soap and other bits.

Why it’s good:

• Very clean, integrated look — no bottles hanging off a wire basket.
• Keeps stuff off the floor or off the edge of the shower.
• Great for smaller bathrooms because it doesn’t protrude much.
• Can be customised in size/shape/material to suit your style

Things to watch out for:

• It adds more grout lines / more complex waterproofing compared with a simple shelf on a wall
• Often needs to be built on an external wall or stud frame home

Jim’s Verdict: Perfect for smaller shower spaces that don’t want to protrude into an already tight shower space or someone looking for a clean finish.

2. The Wall-to-Wall Shelf / Shower Ledge

What it is:
A shelf built along one full length of the wall (or between walls) in the shower—often built with bricks or block under the tiles. It’s sometimes called a ledge.

Why it’s good:

• Provides continuous shelf space for all your bottles, accessories, even a plant if you’re that way inclined.
• Because it spans wall-to-wall, you get more storage area than a small niche.
• It can be built in any bathroom, regardless of the need for an external wall
• Gives a more organic sanctuary feel

Things to watch out for:

• Takes up space: the shelf protrudes about 80mm to 100mm into the space
• More tile work, more potential for grout lines, more maintenance.
• Will affect a shower rail and mixer combo if not installed with good planning

Jim’s Verdict: A very strong option if you’ve got the width and want more shelving. It might feel bulkier, but if done right, it’s classy with the addition of a feature wall above. It allows for the floor to half wall and feature above trend.

3. The Nib Wall

What it is:
A nib wall is a short wall built (bricked/tiled) between the vanity and shower, most often to eliminate a hard-to-clean gap

Why it’s good:

• Clever solution when you have an awkward gap between vanity and shower
• Acts as a shelf either in the shower area, or if you want, it can be a shelf on the vanity side
• When used with a frosted screen, it is great at hiding products from an eye line

Things to watch out for:

• More work: building an extra wall, waterproofing, tiling.
• A custom screen will be required because of the non-standard wall height/edge.
• In smaller spaces it might feel like it “eats” room if you’re not careful.

Jim’s Verdict: Great pick if you have a layout that leads to a hard-to-clean gap or you want the shelf built in neatly. If budget and space allow, it is super practical but added cost with the custom screen.

4. The T-Wall

What it is:
Named for its shape: a half-built wall that runs along the length of the room, often about 1200mm high, with a nib-wall section at the start of the shower. This design gives maximum shelf space and defines zones

Why it’s good:

• Maximum storage shelving built into the structure — you’re not just installing a little shelf, you’re creating a feature.
• Helps define wet vs dry areas in an open walk-in shower layout.
• Adds architectural interest and plenty of shelving room.
• Ideal for big families, multiple generations, with high storage needs.

Things to watch out for:

• Cost will be higher
• Because it’s a large space, big planning is required around other elements
• If you build it too high or too thick, the bathroom may feel smaller or more enclosed.
• Must consider how the shower screen/glass integrates: you’ll need planning to avoid awkward joins or cleaning nightmares.

Jim’s Verdict: If you’ve got the space, budget and want shelving + style rolled into one, the T-Wall is a strong premium option. For smaller jobs, it may be overkill.

The Not So Common Concepts

Shower Seat – Great for the DAY SPA feels or someone who needs to sit. They do take a fair amount of room but really impact the shower head set up

Wall With Niche – A newer concept and works with someone who is maybe looking to hide bottles or needs a foot rest but still likes the wall

Jim’s Recommendation

Below is my quick guide for which one suits which time of renovator.

• Go for the shower niche if you have a smaller bathroom or you are looking for a more subtle style of shower shelving
• Wall-to-wall shower shelves are perfect for a renovator looking for a stunning feature wall set-up while also getting a lot of storage.
• If your layout has that annoying gap between the shower & vanity, the nib wall is a smart, functional fix perfect for moderate-sized bathrooms.
• Finally, the T Wall is the type of shower shelf you do when you are someone who needs a ton of shelving with practical use.

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It’s important to note that all our advice is general in nature, and every bathroom is unique. For the best results, always consult a qualified local tradesperson.

At On the Ball Bathrooms, we value your feedback—so feel free to leave us a comment below. If you’re in Perth, Western Australia, and looking for a bathroom renovation quote, contact us on 0419 964 678 or email us at info@ontheballbathrooms.com.au.

This article was written by James McLoughlin, co-founder of On the Ball Bathrooms. With over 20 years of experience and more than 3,000 completed renovation projects, James brings a wealth of knowledge to every project. We hope you’ve found these tips helpful—or at the very least, enjoyed some beautiful renovation inspiration 🙂.