Overview
This feature helps you design and frame built-in wall niches — perfect for:
Decorative alcoves or recessed displays
Built-in shelving units
Shower or bathroom niches
You can customize the wall depth, textures, and trim finishes for each section of the niche to match your design.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Step 1. Open the Wall Surface Editor
In Perspective view, click directly on the wall you’d like to edit.
Select Edit Surface from the tooltip.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Step 2. Apply a Wall Finish or Paint Color
In the Material Library, select a color or finish.
Click the wall to apply your chosen color or texture.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Step 3. Extrude the Wall to Add Depth
Increase wall depth by setting Extrusion to 12 inches (or whatever works for your niche).
This creates the necessary space for your niche.
Expand the 3D Preview to the lower left, to confirm the wall thickness.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Step 4. Add the Niche Shape
Go to the Shape Library and select your desired shape (It can be a rectangle for squared-off edges or an Arch for a curved niche).
Click once to start, move the mouse to size the shape, and click again to release. For the Arch, you will adjust the width first, click to set it, then adjust the height, then click again to set it.
Adjust width, height, and placement using the handles or arrow keys on your keyboard.
Step 5. Apply a Material to the Niche Interior
From the Material Library, select your preferred texture. Wood Texture is used in this tutorial.
Select a texture and click the niche shape to apply it.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Step 6. Add a Primary Trim (Inner Edge Lining)
Enable Add Trim in the right-hand panel.
Choose a trim style to fill out the inner edge depth.
Unlink Trim Height and Depth, then set the depth to match your wall depth (in this case, it's 12 inches).
Rotate trim if needed to align it with the niche sides.
Apply your chosen finish (e.g., the same wood texture).
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Step 7. Add a Secondary Trim (Decorative Outer Frame)
Scroll down and enable Secondary Trim.
Select a trim style for the decorative edge.
The trim may not be immediately visible in the preview because it's behind the wall. You will need to adjust the offset to the same as your wall depth to make it pop forward. In this case, it's 12 inches.
Apply a matching texture or finish.
Optional: Add Shelves Inside the Niche
You can add custom shelves to your niche for a built-in look:
Use the Box Shape Tool to create shelf pieces.
Select the Box object and adjust the dimensions to form a flat shelf. Ensure to use a similar width and depth to your niche measurements. In this case, 42 inches for width and 12 inches for depth.
Apply a matching wood texture, rotate it 90° for correct grain direction, and position it inside the niche.
Make copies and set the shelves at desired vertical intervals from the floor for desired spacing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Notes
Primary Trim is ideal for the inside edges of your niche.
Secondary Trim adds a decorative border to the outside frame.
You can reuse recent colors and textures from the Recents tab to keep your design consistent.
This same method can be used for bathroom or shower niches using tile finishes.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Related Articles
Add Trim Molding to Walls in the 3D Floor Planner