This stone niche was built into a custom basement finish project we completed for a client in Chesterfield, MO. The stonework is reminiscent of a fireplace and echoed throuout the space. Notice the old fashioned wood stove and the smaller, matching niche where the homeowners store their firewood.

Many family photographs and prized collections have found their home on the fireplace mantle, it’s sort of an old world trophy shelf, a place to display what is important to you and your family and add personality to your home.

But sometimes a fireplace mantle just isn’t a reasonable option for a room like the basement. And while hanging a shelf gets the job done it doesn’t add a lot of architectural interest to the space and can sometimes look like it is just floating on your wall. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo a special display space though, and it doesn’t mean you have to invest in floor to ceiling shelving to have a space that adds charm and character to your room.

Instead homeowners can create built-in, lighted niche spaces to display their favorite items and add interest to their room. Adding niches to drywall, or creating a custom space that matches other architectural details in a room adds a lot of interest and make a great alternative to a mantle or shelving. They also make great spots to store stereo equipment or even barwares in the basements as well.

These lighted niches are finished in contrasting paint colors, tile and lighting that gives the displays a museum-like quality.

When planning and designing a niche we recommend selecting a wall that is large and would otherwise look plain. It is also important to make sure there are no swinging doors that will cover the space, or potentially swing in and break items being displayed. The niche should be located between wall studs, and if you can find a stud with electrical running close by that will make lighting and adding outlets even easier. Alternately you could consider creating a niche that is in front of the wall, similar to a bookcase.

Adding finishing touches to your niche can also be as bold and daring or as traditional and laid-back as you’d like it to be. Consider using interesting stone, tile, a contracting paint color on the back, or even adding some wall mounted shelving to the space to give it a little more punch.

Niches are a great way to add visual interest, storage space and charm to any room where you have an open wall available to use.

Create a unique gallery wall anywhere in your home by adding wall niches and recessed lighting. It is the prefect way to display a treasured collection or seasonal decorations. This gallery wall was created in a Hibbs Home in Jefferson County, Missouri.

Make no waste with clever uses for your under the stairs space.