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How to Create a Bathroom Niche in Planner 5D

Want to add a recessed shelf to your shower or above your bathtub? In Planner 5D, you can create a custom bathroom niche using the Magic Cube tool.

A bathroom niche is a great way to add storage for shampoo, soap, and other bathroom essentials while keeping your space looking clean and organized.

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to build a rectangular niche by combining separate wall panels, leaving an opening for shelves and decorations.

You can also follow along with our video tutorial or follow the instructions below.

Step 1. Prepare your bathroom

First, let's choose where your niche will go.

  1. Open your Planner 5D project and switch to 2D mode.

  2. Place your main bathroom fixtures, such as the shower, bathtub, or sink.

  3. Choose the wall where you want to create the niche.

  4. Decide how wide, tall, and deep you want the opening to be.

  5. Switch to 3D mode to check how the niche will look from inside the shower or beside the bathtub.

For example, you could create a niche approximately:

  • Width: 60 cm

  • Height: 40 cm

  • Depth: 15 cm

These are example measurements. Adjust them to suit your bathroom.

Tip: This method creates the appearance of a recessed niche by adding a new wall surface in front of the existing wall. Make sure you have enough room for the additional depth.

Step 2. Create the side panels

We'll use Magic Cubes to build the wall around the niche rather than cutting an opening into the existing wall.

Create your first panel

  1. Switch to 2D mode.

  2. Open Build → Forms and select Magic Cube.

  3. Place the cube against your chosen bathroom wall.

  4. Resize it into a tall, rectangular wall panel.

  5. Adjust its depth according to how deep you want the niche.

  6. Position it on one side of your planned opening.

For example, if you want a niche that's 15 cm deep, you can make the wall lining approximately 15 cm thick.

Add the second panel

  1. Select your first panel and click Duplicate.

  2. Move the copy to the opposite side of the planned niche.

  3. Leave the desired opening width between the two panels.

  4. Make sure both panels have the same height, depth, and elevation.

Switch to 3D mode and check that the two panels form the sides of your niche.

For more information about creating and resizing shapes, see How to Use the Magic Cube and Forms on Web.

Step 3. Add the upper and lower wall panels

Now let's complete the wall surface around the niche.

Create the lower panel

  1. Add another Magic Cube.

  2. Resize it into a wide rectangular panel.

  3. Position it between the two side panels, beneath the planned niche opening.

  4. Adjust its height so its top edge reaches the bottom of your niche.

  5. Align its front surface with the side panels.

Create the upper panel

  1. Add another Magic Cube.

  2. Resize it into a horizontal panel.

  3. Use Levitation to raise it above the niche opening.

  4. Adjust its dimensions so it connects with both side panels.

  5. Make sure the rectangular opening remains clear.

Switch to 3D mode and inspect the arrangement from the front.

You should now have a wall surface with a rectangular recess in the middle!

Step 4. Create the back of the niche

The existing bathroom wall can serve as the back of your niche.

However, if you want to apply a different material or create a more decorative appearance, you can add a separate back panel.

  1. Add a Magic Cube.

  2. Resize it into a thin rectangular panel.

  3. Position it against the existing wall, inside the niche opening.

  4. Adjust its width and height to fit the visible back surface.

  5. Keep it behind the surrounding wall panels.

For example, you can make the backing approximately 1–2 cm thick for a decorative finish.

Switch to 3D mode and check that the panel doesn't extend into the niche or reduce its visible depth too much.

Tip: A contrasting back panel can make the niche stand out, especially when using different tile patterns or colors.

Step 5. Add a shelf inside the niche

Now let's create a shelf for your bathroom essentials.

  1. Switch to 2D mode.

  2. Add another Magic Cube.

  3. Resize it into a thin, horizontal slab.

  4. Adjust its width to fit between the niche's side panels.

  5. Set its depth to match the niche opening.

  6. Use Levitation to position it at your preferred height.

You can place the shelf at the bottom of the opening to create a finished sill, or raise it higher to divide the niche into separate storage sections.

If you'd like more compartments, simply duplicate the shelf and position the copies at different heights.

Step 6. Customize the materials

Once the niche structure is ready, you can customize its appearance.

  1. Select one of the surrounding wall panels.

  2. Open the Materials menu using the paint roller icon.

  3. Choose your preferred bathroom finish, such as tile, stone, or marble.

  4. Apply matching materials to the remaining wall panels.

  5. Select the niche back and apply the same or a contrasting finish.

  6. Apply a matching material to the shelf and visible inner edges.

For example, you can combine light marble walls with a darker niche background to create a modern bathroom appearance.

You can also use a different tile pattern inside the niche to make it a decorative feature.

Tip: If you're using patterned tiles, check their scale and orientation so the different pieces look consistent.

Step 7. Add bathroom accessories

Now let's make your niche look more realistic!

  1. Open the Interior catalog.

  2. Find bathroom accessories such as shampoo bottles, soap dispensers, or decorative objects.

  3. Place them inside the niche.

  4. Adjust their size if needed.

  5. Use Levitation or Above the floor to raise them onto the niche shelf.
    Check the article on snapping objects onto a surface automatically.

Switch to 3D mode to check that all objects rest correctly on the shelf.

Step 8. Check your finished bathroom niche in 3D

Your custom bathroom niche is almost ready!

Switch to 3D mode and inspect your design from different angles.

Make sure that:

  • The rectangular niche opening remains clear.

  • The surrounding wall panels are correctly aligned.

  • The back panel sits behind the niche opening.

  • The shelf connects neatly with the side panels.

  • All materials match your intended design.

  • No Magic Cubes overlap or cover the opening.

  • Bathroom accessories rest correctly on the shelf.

If a panel appears to float, overlap another object, or leave a visible gap, select it and adjust its Width, Depth, Height, or Levitation.

For more information about object positioning, see How to Edit an Object.

By combining separate Magic Cube panels, you can experiment with different niche sizes, shelf arrangements, and materials to create a design that fits your bathroom perfectly.

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