What You Need to Know Before Building an Outdoor Shower
Our Austin Architects Share Outdoor Shower Design Tips and Considerations to Keep in Mind Before Rinsing Off
Outdoor showers are the perfect backyard amenity for summer. Whether you need a spot to clean up after taking a dip in the pool, going for a run, or catching some waves at the beach, outdoor showers have you covered with easy convenience and a resort-style feel. However, there are a few outdoor shower considerations to keep in mind before rinsing off! Our Austin architects share what you need to know before building an outdoor shower. Prepare your backyard for summer with these eight outdoor shower design tips.
8 Things to Consider Before Designing an Outdoor Shower
1. Determine How You Will Use Your Outdoor Shower
Use dictates design. Before you start drawing plans and selecting materials for your outdoor shower, think about how you will use the space daily. Will you jump in the shower to rinse off from the pool, clean up after gardening, or refresh after working out? Will you be rinsing off in your swimwear or embracing a complete shower experience? If you have pets or kids, you may want to use the space to clean them up after playing outdoors to keep your home interior clean. Maybe you should even consider adding a dog wash station to the design? Determining your needs will help you narrow down location, size, and materials.
Pool By DK Studio
2. Choose an Outdoor Shower Style
Once you know how you will use your outdoor shower, you can choose a design style. You could design a private cabana, an open-air shower, or something in between with partial privacy. When making aesthetic material selections, aim to match the architectural style of your home for a cohesive look. While you may have loved the Mediterranean tile in the outdoor shower you saw on vacation, it may not coordinate with your cottage-style home.
3. Pick an Accessible Outdoor Shower Location
Typically, homeowners opt to place their outdoor showers in back or side yards adjacent to the main house. However, your desired use of the outdoor shower will have the biggest impact on location. No matter where you choose to install your outdoor shower, create an accessible pathway. The last thing you want is to shower off and then get muddy feet walking across the lawn!
Pool and Spa By DK Studio
Here are our top outdoor shower locations to consider:
Along the side of the home
Adjacent to a primary bedroom
Outside a cabana
Near a workshop
On a boat dock
4. Consider Plumbing Access
Plumbing may impact where you decide to install your outdoor shower. While you can run plumbing to any point on your property, installing the shower near existing plumbing lines will be more cost-effective. For this reason, most homeowners install their outdoor showers on the back or side exterior walls. Don’t forget about drainage! Install a shower drain or create a drainage slope into the garden to prevent flooding. No one likes showering while standing in a puddle.
5. Don’t Forget About Privacy
Some people aren’t shy and wouldn’t think twice about showering out in the open. However, others are more modest. When designing your outdoor shower, consider privacy and assume that your guests will want to take their shower behind a privacy screen. Consider the shower location, views, and neighbors. Typically, five-foot-tall walls provide adequate privacy. Consider building slatted wood or reed screens or creating a wall of hedges for a more natural feel.
6. Select Weather Resistant Materials
Since your shower is living outdoors, you need to select weather-resistant materials that will stand up to the elements. Evaluate your material selections and ensure they are approved for outdoor use. Non-slip tile, pressure-treated wood, stone, and natural plantings are great options for flooring and privacy walls. Make sure to consider the feel of the materials. For example, wood decking will feel much cooler on the feet than a concrete pad during the hot summer months! For hardware and fixtures, stay away from plastics or metals that can tarnish. Instead, opt for a showerhead rated for outdoor use. Marine-grade stainless steel is a great option. Prevent mold and mildew growth by designing a space with good air circulation.
7. Add Homey Comforts
Just because it’s an outdoor shower doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious. Add homey comforts like a bench, shower nook, and towel rack to create an easily accessible and comfortable experience for guests. You may even consider adding a mirror, small counter, and sink.
8. Make It Environmentally Friendly
You enjoy the outdoors, so design an outdoor shower that’s environmentally friendly! Create proper drainage to prevent yard flooding and erosion over time. If you plan to take a full shower outdoors, stock your shower with biodegradable soaps to protect native foliage. You may even consider adding a water collection system to water your lawn.
3 Outdoor Shower Benefits to Consider
Outdoor showers are convenient and beautiful additions to any backyard. Here are our Austin architects’ top three outdoor shower benefits!
Pool and Patio By DK Studio
1. Provides an Exterior Cleanup Area
Outdoor showers provide an exterior cleanup area, which is great when you don’t want to track dirt and grime through your home. With an outdoor shower, you can clean up after swimming, gardening, or working out.
2. Adds an Extra Shower for Guests
If you’re running short on space inside, installing an outdoor shower provides an extra shower for guests — or at least the guests who embrace the outdoors. Your outdoor shower can serve as an additional place to clean up when all the interior bathrooms are occupied.
3. Creates a Resort-style Feel
Outdoor showers create a sense of indoor-outdoor living and provide a resort-style feel at home. They are a great spot to clean up poolside, cool off, or add variety to the daily routine. It can be relaxing to end the day showering outdoors while you connect to nature. Have you ever used an outdoor shower during a rainstorm? You’re in for a fantastic experience!