5 Bathroom Alcove Ideas To Help You Maximize Every Inch of Space

An alcove is a little recessed section of a room or an arched opening. These sections are usually enclosed with vertical elements such as walls, pillars, and balustrades.

Even in bathrooms, it is possible to have alcoves depending on the architecture of your space. Often, they are tricky spaces as these awkward recesses seem to serve no purpose in most bathrooms.

Actually, they become a design nightmare when organizing your bathroom. But don’t write them off as a waste of space just yet. Alcoves can in fact offer pockets of extra spaces therefore handy as corners in your bathroom.

With a little creativity, alcoves can really work in your favor. In this article, we share alcove bathroom ideas to ensure you maximize every inch of space in your bathroom.

5 Bathroom Alcove Ideas To Help You Maximize Every Inch of Space

Bathroom alcove ideas offer a wealth of options for the room’s design. Large versions are the perfect place to locate the tub or shower stall, while smaller nooks provide space for storage or display.

Take your cue from our selection of bathroom alcove ideas here and maximize style and storage.

1. A Bathtub Alcove 

A beautiful, deep soaking tub deserves a position within three blank walls. It sits comfortably within such a space and provides such a private location for your evening soaks.

Put it up against a large window that provides a stunning view day or night (and blinds provide privacy when needed).

Clean cement walls add drama to the location, and a windowsill-mounted tub faucet is an elegant and unexpected touch that caps a stunning look.

Note…

For a seamless alcove tub look, you want to:

a) Tie an alcove tub to the rest of the room with coordinated fixtures.

Here, the shape of the tub, toilet, and pedestal sink complement one another, but the real thread that ties the whole room together are the dark-patina fixtures, including the tub faucet and showerhead, sink faucet, and towel racks.

They provide dark, dramatic, visual stepping stones around the room that lead the eye through all the other decorative elements.

b) Match the shape of your tub to the available space.

Choose a bathtub shape to optimize the available space.

Here, an oval tub fits neatly into a standard alcove, but because the front edge of the tub bulges out, the interior capacity of the tub is appreciably greater than normal.

It’s a great way to incorporate a soaking or whirlpool tub without having to structurally change your entire bathroom layout. The unibody design of this tub makes it easy to install in the space, alleviating the need to construct a separate deck.

You May Also Like: 10 Bathtub Accessories For A Wellness Experience Like No Other 

2. A Shower Alcove

Saving space is perhaps the most compelling reason to choose an alcove shower enclosure. Therefore, conserve room with a well-fitted shower stall.

This idea can make a big difference in the small floor plan of most bathrooms. Of course, as this installation shows, the compact shape of an alcove shower is also appealing to the eye.

Design Idea…

An alcove tub or shower is great but an alcove shower tub combo allows for maximizing a small bathroom.

Consider one and have it feature glass sliding doors or mobile shower curtains on the open area to avoid feeling too cramped while yet allowing for a shower component.

You May Also Like: Can You Have Multiple Shower Heads In One Shower?

3. A WC Suite in an Alcove

What homeowners used to consider an awkward fit is now an opportunity for added functionality in confined quarters.

So, exploit an alcove in your bathroom with a WC (water closet) suite. Feature a complete toilet unit that, once plumbed in, forms a finished working toilet in that empty space.

As the compact toilet design here shows, alcoves are getting the glam treatment with a modern toilet and soft close seat, a glossy white finish, and add-ons such as a chrome push button.

A wall-mounted toilet with a concealed cistern is also ideal for such compact spaces.

Thanks to its clever and contemporary design that tucks the pipework neatly out of sight, such a wall-hung toilet offers a sleek look for a boring alcove.

4. An Alcove Boasting Storage Shelves

Bespoke bathroom storage ideas keep your bathroom space clutter-free and calming, but they also offer the opportunity to introduce attractive bathroom alcove ideas.

Try a clever design that incorporates hidden cabinets, stacked shelves, or built-in shelves and you’ve got the perfect opportunity to create extra storage spaces in your bathroom.

Whether you prefer open shelves or closed ones, keep your toiletries, potted bathroom plants, folded towels, and your bath products.

You May Also Like: How To Display & Hang Towels In The Bathroom

5. An Alcove Fitted With A Bathroom Vanity 

Alcoves are a great asset in the bathroom. They are a practical and streamlined way to add storage and allow you to create a clutter-free haven.

Make the best use of this recessed space by using the bottom part to install a sleek bathroom vanity. Utilize the top half by decorating with a statement bathroom mirror.

The key is to not overfill the surface of your bathroom vanity for a curated and stylish look that also leaves enough room to add in a scented candle and flower vase.

You May Also Like: What Is The Best Way To Light A Bathroom Vanity?

An alcove in a bathroom can be used as a niche for storage or a place in which to locate a gorgeous bathtub, a sleek toilet, or a glass shower stall.

Try these bathroom alcove ideas to maximize every inch of space in your bathroom.