Decorative Wall Niches - Deepening Your Decor with Wall Niches

Decorative wall niches had been a popular architectural interior ornament since ancient times. Gothic architecture favored the eclectic use of wall niches, while classical interiors employed wall niche more as striking displays for busts, urns or vases. The wall niches were also a common element in the stucco- and adobe-walled homes of the Mission and Spanish Colonial styles. Stairways are great locations for niches. This is especially true of long winging stairs that have large expanses of wall space. Our one-piece construction prefabricated wall niches are available in a relatively broad range of styles. With the addition of a little paint and, of course, the right display piece, you can make one an appropriate accent for most homes.

A home’s decor and furniture may reveal a lot about the owner’s taste, but it’s the decorative items and the way they are displayed that tell the personal stories. People use wall niches to display their favorite pieces not only because they like to view them, but also because they want their homes to reflect their lives and experiences, and they want to share their prized memories with guests. Decorative wall niches hold conversation pieces and can itself be worthy of comment and admiration. An attractive well designed and well-placed quality wall niches are an instant focal point that adds architectural detail and personal touch.

A small space can be made more intimate by a single wall niche. Pairs of wall niches decorate on a larger scale. Placing one wall niche to either side of the passageway creates a pleasing three-part composition and a grand entrance. To the same effect, a pair of wall niches can accentuate a significant piece within a large room area. Decorative wall niches are found in all types of houses – anywhere the architect or homeowner sees the need for an original architectural detail or a special place for favorite items. Wall niches work well in hallways and other traffic areas. In such places, wall niche can have a significant visual impact without encroaching on the space. But with greater flexibility of sizes and styles available, wall niche can be added to any type of room.

As typically seen in many homes today, very tall, narrow, and shallow wall niches create drama, but it does not necessarily make a definite design statement. Just as fat walls and arches make a passageway look substantial and contribute to an overall feeling of quality in a home, deep wall niches do the same.

Deep wall niches provide perspective, subtly making a room look and feel larger. Deep niches create the opportunity to display a treasured object or create exciting lighting effects while adding architectural character to a room. Wall niches, like arches, come in many shapes. The depth of wall niches depends on the framing of the wall in which they are set. If you have a decorative object such as a sculpture or a vase that you want to highlight, you might plan your wall niche with the size of your object in mind. Work out the framing parameters during the planning stage of a remodel or new construction. The height and width of a wall niche are easy to incorporate into a wall, but the depth can be more difficult.

Wall niches can be made from a variety of materials in an assortment of shapes. For an old-world look, wall niche can be made of stone or finished to look like one. When constructed of drywall, wall niches can be painted a different color than the wall, given a contrasting texture, or enhanced with an unusual decorative treatment such as wall flowering. Built-in wall niches can be lined with mirrors for a more contemporary look.

In terms of lighting wall niches, there are several methods to consider. Many prefer using low-voltage lighting whenever possible, as they find that it most effectively simulates the look of natural light. One low-voltage light placed at the top of a wall niche will usually light the area. Or, you can place the light source several feet away in the ceiling and aim it at the wall niche. Again, it depends on the look you are trying to achieve. If you want an authentic old-world look, you should not put a light in the wall niches; obviously, ancient wall niches would not have contained an electric light. Candles are another great way to light wall niches. They create a warm and romantic atmosphere.