Take Your Shower Outside
There are a variety of reasons why you might consider installing an outdoor shower. If you live near the beach, an outdoor shower will provide you with a way to wash off the sand before coming back inside. If you have a pool or hot tub, you’ll be able to rinse off when you get in and out of the tub. And if you have a garden you work in fairly often, an outdoor shower is nice to have to spray off dirt before you come back inside your home. If you have kids or pets that spend hours outside playing, you might want an outdoor shower to wash them off before they come back in.
A warm shower on a cool day or a cool shower on a hot day can be refreshing. You can also create a relaxing shower environment that feels like your own personal escape.
Of course, sometimes an outdoor shower is a necessity. If you’re in a cabin, camp or another facility where there’s no indoor shower available, an outdoor shower lets you get clean more easily.
Types of Outdoor Showers
There’s a wide variety of outdoor shower types and styles. Here are some of the types you can choose from.
Wall-Mounted Showers
A more permanent type of outdoor shower, the wall-mounted option is attached directly to your home’s exterior. A wall-mounted outdoor shower is typically found near a pool. With this type of shower, you can also install an outdoor shower enclosure to allow for more privacy.
Freestanding Showers
Some freestanding outdoor showers are installed with underground plumbing. Others, however, attach to a garden hose.
Some freestanding showers are portable and can be moved wherever you need them to be. These portable showers attach to a garden hose, giving you flexibility as to where you place them. These are ideal for budget-conscious customers and can be packed up and taken to use at campsites since they can be set up at any location with a faucet.
The type of outdoor shower you need is dependent upon how often you plan to use it. If you plan on using the shower frequently, you may want to consider a more permanent option like a wall-mounted shower.
Shower Heads for Outdoor Showers
Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor shower, there are various shower heads to choose from.
- Standard fixed shower heads are installed on the wall. These are stationary and come in a variety of sizes and finishes.
- A handheld shower head can be removed from the wall mount and used for a more thorough rinse. This type uses a flexible hose that allows you to control the spray. The handheld shower head often allows for various spray modes. They’re handy for washing off your feet or bathing pets.
- A rainfall shower head is a luxurious option ideal for larger outdoor shower spaces. While rainfall shower heads provide an exquisite look and feel, they do require more water pressure than a standard fixed shower head.
Beyond Your Basic Shower
Your outdoor shower doesn’t have to be plain and basic. If you’re using a rainfall shower head, you can build out a true waterfall scene complete with decorative rocks and greenery.
For a more rustic look, consider a classic wooden shower. You can even enclose it and install a wooden seat in the shower.
If you often have guests at your pool, you can install two shower heads or build multiple stalls to increase the convenience for everyone.
Make the outdoor shower experience even more luxurious by adding a hot tub, frosted glass doors or a stylish backsplash.
Other Features to Consider
Outdoor showers can be customized in many ways, and there are endless features to consider when installing one.
- Flooring: For safety, you’ll want to consider a nonslip floor, such as slip-resistant tile. This will help prevent people from slipping in the shower.
- Temperature: Do you want hot water for your outdoor shower, or is a cold-only option all right? You can hook up your home’s hot water to the outdoor shower if you wish.
- Storage: Storage space for your shower is also something you’ll want to think about. A wooden outdoor storage bench is a nice touch. It adds to the look of the shower while providing a space to store towels, soap and other accessories.
Outdoor showers not only provide a way to get clean before going inside but also a luxurious experience that combines a warm shower with the great outdoors. These outdoor shower ideas should help give you some direction as to what type of outdoor shower you need and how you want it to look.