Outdoor Showers: 14 Refreshing Design Ideas
Check out these creative outdoor showers – from industrial to nature-inspired, they're all architecturally brilliant
Becky Harris
13 December 2014
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
My earliest outdoor shower experiences involved a small wooden surround attached to a simple rental cottage on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In spite of the fact that the soap usually slid under the stall walls into the yard and there was always the danger of a sibling snatching my towel away as a practical joke, I could not be persuaded to use the indoor option. Rinsing off the sand and seaweed underneath the open sky was exhilarating.
While an outdoor shower set-up as simple as a curtain and a showerhead can be very enjoyable, there are a lot of ways to spruce up an outdoor shower’s aesthetics and comfort. Here are 14 suggestions for both.
While an outdoor shower set-up as simple as a curtain and a showerhead can be very enjoyable, there are a lot of ways to spruce up an outdoor shower’s aesthetics and comfort. Here are 14 suggestions for both.
1. Carve a niche in the wall
A shower niche will keep your supplies close at hand. This one even has a bit of playful peekaboo going on, as it is open to the other side of the stall.
A shower niche will keep your supplies close at hand. This one even has a bit of playful peekaboo going on, as it is open to the other side of the stall.
2. Help the shower stall blend with the house via architectural elements
A pergola overhead, a paint colour that matches the home’s trim and a showerhead with a similar finish to that of the outdoor lantern all make this outdoor shower part of the house.
A pergola overhead, a paint colour that matches the home’s trim and a showerhead with a similar finish to that of the outdoor lantern all make this outdoor shower part of the house.
Rustic corrugated metal fits right in with this artist’s funky home and art studio’s exteriors.
3. Embellish the shower surround
While the pergola and siding help this stall blend into the house, the large driftwood seahorse adds a whimsical punctuation.
While the pergola and siding help this stall blend into the house, the large driftwood seahorse adds a whimsical punctuation.
4. Blend the shower with the landscape
This stone wall marries the shower’s architecture with the landscape architecture, while woolly pockets create vertical garden walls around it.
This stone wall marries the shower’s architecture with the landscape architecture, while woolly pockets create vertical garden walls around it.
This unique backyard in Perth incorporates layers of succulents emerging from patinated copper troughs which look stunning against the translucent outdoor shower surround.
Tour the rest of this garden
Tour the rest of this garden
5. Add a bench
A small bench or stool in an outdoor shower provides a spot for soap and shampoo and a place to rest if your body is worn out from surfing, swimming or sunbathing.
A small bench or stool in an outdoor shower provides a spot for soap and shampoo and a place to rest if your body is worn out from surfing, swimming or sunbathing.
6. Provide an in-shower spot for a towel or two
This can be as simple as a cheap plastic hook that hangs over the enclosure. Anyone who has ever had to streak indoors after being pranked knows this is an important detail.
This can be as simple as a cheap plastic hook that hangs over the enclosure. Anyone who has ever had to streak indoors after being pranked knows this is an important detail.
Hooks also make for easy towel hanging.
7. Let there be light
An outdoor rinse in the pitch dark can be creepy. This elegant gooseneck light illuminates the stall for night-time showers.
An outdoor rinse in the pitch dark can be creepy. This elegant gooseneck light illuminates the stall for night-time showers.
8. Think about what’s underfoot
No-one wants to stand around in slime or muddy grass in an outdoor shower. Specially treated wood stands up to water in the shower here, and the teak stepping stones provide an easy path back indoors.
No-one wants to stand around in slime or muddy grass in an outdoor shower. Specially treated wood stands up to water in the shower here, and the teak stepping stones provide an easy path back indoors.
9. Cover up the pipes in an artistic way
This glass mosaic longboard conceals plumbing and creates a tropical backdrop for showering.
This glass mosaic longboard conceals plumbing and creates a tropical backdrop for showering.
10. Accentuate the plumbing as an architectural element
This steel column has heft and style.
BONUS TIP: Add a second tap down low for rinsing off sandy feet.
This steel column has heft and style.
BONUS TIP: Add a second tap down low for rinsing off sandy feet.
11. Embrace the natural surroundings while you’re au natural
This incredible shower is up a rocky hillside in the Arizona desert.
This incredible shower is up a rocky hillside in the Arizona desert.
This one, nestled among the oaks in California’s Wine Country, is not for shy folks.
12. Extend an indoor bathroom outdoors
Glass doors that lead to an outdoor shower let in the natural light, while the rock wall provides a stunning view and privacy.
Glass doors that lead to an outdoor shower let in the natural light, while the rock wall provides a stunning view and privacy.
13. Create a shower that can be indoors or out
Disappearing doors transform this shower into an open-air space. While not recommended for Kate Middleton, Jennifer Aniston or others stalked by long-lens-toting paparazzi, washing one’s hair out here must be a unique experience.
Disappearing doors transform this shower into an open-air space. While not recommended for Kate Middleton, Jennifer Aniston or others stalked by long-lens-toting paparazzi, washing one’s hair out here must be a unique experience.
14. Make the outdoor shower work for your pets
A handheld showerhead can be a great way to give dogs a wash, depending on how much they tolerate the shower before running around and shaking the water off all over you.
SHOW US
Have you got an outdoor shower? Show us how you’ve done it ‘the Australian way’ in the Comments.
MORE INSPIRATION
Dream Spaces: 14 Fabulous Indoor-Outdoor Bathrooms
Take It Outside: 10 Ideas for Outdoor Bathrooms
Natural Selection: 14 Tranquil Bathrooms Inspired by Mother Nature
A handheld showerhead can be a great way to give dogs a wash, depending on how much they tolerate the shower before running around and shaking the water off all over you.
SHOW US
Have you got an outdoor shower? Show us how you’ve done it ‘the Australian way’ in the Comments.
MORE INSPIRATION
Dream Spaces: 14 Fabulous Indoor-Outdoor Bathrooms
Take It Outside: 10 Ideas for Outdoor Bathrooms
Natural Selection: 14 Tranquil Bathrooms Inspired by Mother Nature
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Great suggestion! Outdoor showers can be a low-maintenance
addition to many different styles of homes. They make the most sense if you
already have a frequently-used backyard or a pool. Outdoor showers can run the
gamut in investment, from a mere $100 to thousands and thousands. It’s all
about what kind of look and feel, that you’re going for. Check out this light
and airy DIY solution
I am building a little guest cottage and need a toilet to go along the outdoors ..without needed special piping to connect to the main house ...what are my options ...is gehe such a thing as a small toilet with a built in box ...that can be emptied out ..like in a boat ...?
Sounds like a composting toilet would be ideal for you. This is one place to start if you are unfamiliar with them... http://www.c-head.com/