Building a wall niche yourself costs €80 to €400, depending on the design and size. A small decorative niche in a plasterboard wall can be built for €80–€150 in materials. A larger niche wall with lighting and a finish costs €200–€400. If you have the work done by a plasterer or joiner, expect to pay €300 to €800 including labour. A wall niche is one of the most popular interior projects of 2026: it gives any room more depth and character. This article provides a complete step-by-step guide to building a niche wall.
What Does a Niche Wall Cost? DIY vs. Professional
| DIY | Plasterer / Joiner | |
|---|---|---|
| **Small decorative niche (40×60 cm)** | €80 – €150 (materials) | €300 – €500 (incl. labour) |
| **Large niche wall (full wall panel)** | €200 – €400 (materials) | €600 – €1,000 (incl. labour) |
| **Niche chased into existing wall** | €100 – €250 (materials + tools) | €400 – €900 (incl. labour) |
| **DIY saving** | 50–65% | — |
Two Methods for Creating a Niche
Method 1: Build a Niche Using Plasterboard (for a New Wall)
You build a double plasterboard wall with a cavity between the two skins. This works for new partition walls or where you have room to bring a wall forward (5–15 cm deep).
Advantage: no chasing, services easy to integrate, clean result
Disadvantage: you lose floor area (the wall becomes thicker)
Method 2: Chase a Niche into an Existing Wall
You cut an opening into an existing, non-load-bearing wall and finish the niche with plaster. This is only possible in non-load-bearing walls.
Advantage: no loss of room area, makes use of the existing wall depth
Disadvantage: messy and labour-intensive, not possible in load-bearing walls
Materials (Plasterboard Niche Wall, Niche 80×100 cm, Wall Width 3 m)
| Material | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Plasterboard 12.5 mm | 4 boards | €40 – €60 |
| Metal studs (CW profile 50×50 or 75×50 mm) | approx. 10 metres | €25 – €40 |
| UW perimeter channel | approx. 8 metres | €15 – €25 |
| Plasterboard screws + wall plugs | 1 box | €10 – €15 |
| Joint tape + filler | €20 – €35 | |
| LED strip or recessed downlight (optional) | €20 – €60 | |
| Wall paint + primer | €20 – €40 | |
| **Total** | **€150 – €275** |
Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Plasterboard Niche Wall
Step 1: Determine the Position and Size of the Niche
Sketch out the exact position of the niche on the wall. Standard dimensions for a decorative niche:
- Width: 30–80 cm
- Height: 40–100 cm
- Depth: 10–20 cm (when bringing a wall forward)
Think ahead about:
- How many niches do you want? (one central niche or a row)
- Do you want lighting in the niche? (plan electrical tails in advance)
- Do you want a shelf in the niche? (include load-bearing capacity in the design)
Step 2: Fix the UW Frame (Perimeter Channels)
Fix the UW profiles (U-shaped perimeter channels) to the floor, ceiling and existing wall. This forms the outer edge of your new wall construction.
- Floor and ceiling: UW channel with wall plugs and screws
- Existing back wall: UW channel as rear frame
Step 3: Build the CW Stud Frame
Insert the vertical CW studs (upright metal profiles) into the UW channel. The studs determine the depth of the niche. Fill in the grid:
- Outer row of CW profiles: these form the front face of the wall
- Rear row of CW profiles: this is the back wall of the niche (or the existing wall)
Fit additional studs on both sides of the niche opening for strength.
Step 4: Run the Electrical Cable (if You Want Lighting)
Before fixing the plasterboard, run the electrical cable to the niche positions. Thread the cable through the cavity and let it protrude at the desired point.
Step 5: Board the Front Face of the Wall
Fix plasterboard sheets to the front face of the CW frame. Carefully cut out the niche opening with a plasterboard saw or jigsaw. Ensure right angles — use a square.
Step 6: Board the Back Wall and Sides of the Niche
Fix plasterboard to the back wall and the two sides of the niche. These are the internal surfaces that you will finish and paint later.
Step 7: Add Shelves (Optional)
If you want shelves in the niche: fix an additional horizontal profile at the desired height and screw a board (MDF or timber) to the profile.
Step 8: Jointing and Skimming
Tape all joints with joint tape and fill with filler. Finish the niche corners neatly with corner beads (plastic or metal angle bead). Apply two coats of filler, allow to dry and sand smooth.
Skim the inside of the niche and the rest of the wall for a professional finish.
Step 9: Painting and Lighting
Paint the wall and the inside of the niche. Use a contrasting colour for the inside of the niche to create a depth effect. Fix the LED strip along the niche edge or screw the recessed downlight into place.
Niche in an Existing Wall: Chasing
If you want to chase a niche into an existing non-load-bearing wall:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check that the wall is non-load-bearing (consult a structural engineer if in doubt) |
| 2 | Draw the niche shape on the wall |
| 3 | Score the outline with an angle grinder or oscillating saw |
| 4 | Remove the material using a cold chisel and hammer |
| 5 | Smooth the edges and base with cement mortar or plaster |
| 6 | Fit corner beads on the edges |
| 7 | Plaster, sand smooth, paint |
Inspiration: What to Display in a Wall Niche?
- Decorative objects and sculptures
- Candles and atmospheric lighting (with an LED strip at the back)
- A small aquarium
- Books and magazines (for a deeper niche)
- Plants (trailing or small potted plants)
Common Mistakes
- Trying to create a niche in a load-bearing wall. Always check whether the wall is load-bearing before you start. Load-bearing walls cannot simply be opened up or reduced in size.
- Not using corner beads. Niche corners are vulnerable. Without corner beads you will get crumbling edges.
- Forgetting to plan for electrics. Once the plasterboard is fixed, running a cable retrospectively is difficult and expensive.
- Niche too shallow. A niche only 5 cm deep looks unfinished. The minimum depth for an attractive niche is 10 cm.
- Not finishing the inside of the niche. The inside walls of the niche are visible — don’t leave them as bare plasterboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a niche in a cavity wall?
No, a cavity wall is an external wall with insulation between the two leaves. These must not be chased or altered without proper consideration, due to the insulation and moisture management function they perform.
How deep can a niche be in a plasterboard construction?
It depends on the CW profile used. A CW profile of 100 mm gives a niche depth of approximately 8 cm (100 mm – 2 × 12.5 mm plasterboard). Use CW-150 or CW-200 for a deeper niche (12–18 cm).
Can I use a niche as an open pass-through?
Yes, this is known as a “view-through” or open niche. The same technique applies — but omit the back wall and finish the niche on both sides. Useful for visually connecting two rooms.
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