Take it Outside: 10 Ideas for Outdoor Bathrooms
Soak in the luxury of an alfresco bathroom surrounded by nature
Carol Bucknell
26 September 2014
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises in writing about gardens, houses and design. Author of two books on garden design: Contemporary gardens of New Zealand and Big Ideas for Small Gardens both published by Penguin. I also design gardens and am a passionate gardener. Currently I write the garden pages for New Zealand magazine Your Home & Garden and contribute to NZ Gardener and NZ House & Garden magazines.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises... More
Gardens have changed dramatically in recent years. We’re not just using them as places to eat, entertain and relax, homeowners are realising they’re often the ideal environment for bathing and showering too, or rinsing off grubby feet before entering the house. You don’t need a big budget or a lot of room for a bath or shower; often the simpler the materials used the better and, with a little creativity, they can fit into the tiniest of corners.
As anyone who has experienced the pleasure of lying in a warm bath and gazing at the stars, or standing in a shower surrounded by lovely plants, will tell you, the investment of an outdoor bathroom is well worth it.
As anyone who has experienced the pleasure of lying in a warm bath and gazing at the stars, or standing in a shower surrounded by lovely plants, will tell you, the investment of an outdoor bathroom is well worth it.
1. Make use of your existing backyard plants
They can be all you need to create a sense of privacy. Here, although open to the garden, this outdoor bath has a feeling of seclusion due to the palms overhead and surrounding subtropical planting. The sculpture also partially screens the bath, which is built onto a simple timber platform so water can drain freely into the garden surrounds.
They can be all you need to create a sense of privacy. Here, although open to the garden, this outdoor bath has a feeling of seclusion due to the palms overhead and surrounding subtropical planting. The sculpture also partially screens the bath, which is built onto a simple timber platform so water can drain freely into the garden surrounds.
2. Reuse old baths and fittings
Recycling materials is not only a very economical way to add an outdoor bath to your garden, it also makes sense from a design point of view in this case, as the old claw-foot bath suits the traditional architecture of the house and its beach location. Fairy lights in the tree and an old log for a side table add to the charm of this outdoor area.
Recycling materials is not only a very economical way to add an outdoor bath to your garden, it also makes sense from a design point of view in this case, as the old claw-foot bath suits the traditional architecture of the house and its beach location. Fairy lights in the tree and an old log for a side table add to the charm of this outdoor area.
3. Incorporate low-cost, easily obtainable materials
This delightful outdoor shower is screened by a simple circular wire frame covered in evergreen climbers. Its floor is a pebble and concrete design – the same material used in the paving.
Keen to incorporate an outdoor shower or bath into your garden? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz to make it happen
This delightful outdoor shower is screened by a simple circular wire frame covered in evergreen climbers. Its floor is a pebble and concrete design – the same material used in the paving.
Keen to incorporate an outdoor shower or bath into your garden? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz to make it happen
4. Use materials that suit your house style and location
What could be more appropriate for an Australian beach garden than an outdoor shower surrounded by a corrugated metal screen? Climbers trained on wires overhead create a sense of green lushness and a little shade.
What could be more appropriate for an Australian beach garden than an outdoor shower surrounded by a corrugated metal screen? Climbers trained on wires overhead create a sense of green lushness and a little shade.
5. Use existing walls for screening
Sheltered corners can be used as the walls of your outdoor shower or bath to save on the cost of building new ones. The back-right corner of this pool-side garden features a secluded spot to rinse off after a dip.
Sheltered corners can be used as the walls of your outdoor shower or bath to save on the cost of building new ones. The back-right corner of this pool-side garden features a secluded spot to rinse off after a dip.
Here’s a closer look at the area. Simply add your fittings, a curved slab for the base and a planting of papyrus for a filmy green screen and you’re good to go. The papyrus will happily grow in moist or dry soil.
Best of the Week: 30 Outdoor Showers From Around the World
Best of the Week: 30 Outdoor Showers From Around the World
6. Turn tiny courtyards into spa zones
Rather than try and incorporate too many elements into a very small garden space, devote it to just one and go all out. Here, this small courtyard is too small for outdoor living so instead it has been designed exclusively for alfresco bathing with planting and lighting enhancing a blissful experience.
Rather than try and incorporate too many elements into a very small garden space, devote it to just one and go all out. Here, this small courtyard is too small for outdoor living so instead it has been designed exclusively for alfresco bathing with planting and lighting enhancing a blissful experience.
7. Use innovative screening
A vertical garden using recycled guttering and downpipes in front of sheets of opaque corrugated polycarbonate is a very clever, low-cost way to screen a shower or outdoor bath. Recycled bricks on the floor complete the look.
A vertical garden using recycled guttering and downpipes in front of sheets of opaque corrugated polycarbonate is a very clever, low-cost way to screen a shower or outdoor bath. Recycled bricks on the floor complete the look.
8. Be clever with your space
This elegant outdoor bath area designed by Auckland architect Pete Bossley is attached to the side of the house so that it can also be accessed from an indoor bathroom. Openings along the concrete wall and sliding glass doors bring the green garden into both spaces.
Showers Without Borders: Bring the Outside In
This elegant outdoor bath area designed by Auckland architect Pete Bossley is attached to the side of the house so that it can also be accessed from an indoor bathroom. Openings along the concrete wall and sliding glass doors bring the green garden into both spaces.
Showers Without Borders: Bring the Outside In
9. Make the shower or bath a focal point
Rather than hide your bathroom away, Australian designer Dean Herald has made the shower a central feature of this private courtyard garden, placing it directly opposite the seating area. The dark pebbles at the base of the shower contrast dramatically with the beautiful pinky toned stone walls that surround it, proclaiming ‘look at me!’.
Rather than hide your bathroom away, Australian designer Dean Herald has made the shower a central feature of this private courtyard garden, placing it directly opposite the seating area. The dark pebbles at the base of the shower contrast dramatically with the beautiful pinky toned stone walls that surround it, proclaiming ‘look at me!’.
10. Complement the other features in the yard
An outdoor shower wall is one of a series of stone walls screening this pool area. Repeating the same materials in the outdoor bathroom keeps a sense of continuity throughout the entire garden.
Your turn
Would you consider an outdoor shower or bath? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to find out more? Read How Do I… Set Up an Outdoor Shower?
An outdoor shower wall is one of a series of stone walls screening this pool area. Repeating the same materials in the outdoor bathroom keeps a sense of continuity throughout the entire garden.
Your turn
Would you consider an outdoor shower or bath? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to find out more? Read How Do I… Set Up an Outdoor Shower?
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Is that a bath tub and why is it outside
Lady writes a whole article on outdoor bathrooms and then you ask a question like that?
Some great ideas ...