5 Great Outdoor Shower Ideas for Your Backyard

We've all been there... we've returned home from the beach with sand all over us, or caked in mud from playing footy in the middle of a wet winter day. The first thing we want to do is get clean, but the last thing we want to do is bring that sand and mud indoors.

Enter the outdoor shower.

Outdoor showers are becoming a practical, perfect addition to backyards across the Adelaide Hills. Not only do they provide the functionality and convenience of their indoor counterparts, but the right outdoor shower designs can also seriously enhance the appeal of your property.

So let’s take a look at five of the best outdoor shower ideas for your backyard.

Benefits of Installing Outdoor Showers

Before we look at outdoor shower design ideas, let’s look at some of the many lifestyle and property benefits that they offer:

• Convenience: An outdoor shower provides a quick rinse after a hot day of gardening or a dip in the swimming pool. They help you keep your indoor spaces cleaner.
• Increased property value: Well-designed and implemented outdoor shower ideas can be a unique and appealing selling point to potential buyers.
• Closer to nature: Outdoor showers allow you to enjoy the fresh air and surrounding landscape.
• Eco-friendly: You can choose water-saving fixtures and a solar-powered hot water system to reduce your environmental impact while enjoying your outdoor shower guilt-free.
• Versatile design: You can customise outdoor showers to suit any backyard style. From rustic to modern, it’ll blend effortlessly into the surrounding area.

Working with a landscape architect and a licensed plumber to build and install an outdoor shower, you add a functional and truly stylish element to your backyard. Here are some ideas to consider.

1. Rustic Outdoor Shower

A rustic outdoor shower enclosure made of timber brings the warmth and beauty of the outdoors into your backyard. Using native Australian timbers like Jarrah or Ironbark allows you to create a design that blends in with the surroundings and withstands the elements. Pairing the timber with simple earthy fixtures like copper or bronze taps adds to the rustic look while being durable.

But for your rustic outdoor shower to remain durable, treat the timber with protective finishes that protect it from moisture and UV damage. This way you preserve the natural beauty of the wood and your rustic timber shower will be a feature in your backyard for years to come.

2. Modern Minimalist Shower

A modern minimalist outdoor shower space is all about clean lines, simplicity and a focal point of function. These outdoor shower designs use sleek materials like stainless steel, concrete and glass to create a sophisticated look that suits contemporary outdoor spaces. The minimalist approach keeps the area clutter-free so the shower blends in with the surroundings.

For extra comfort consider adding modern technology like thermostatic controls or rain showerheads into the design. These features add to the shower experience while keeping the minimalist look, so it’s luxurious and understated in your backyard.

3. Tropical Oasis Shower

Turn your backyard into a lush retreat with a tropical oasis shower. This design focuses on creating a vibrant, green environment, thick with dense foliage and exotic garden plants surrounding the shower area. Not only does it look great, but it’s also a great way to add privacy to your showering.

To enhance the tropical atmosphere, use natural materials like bamboo for the shower walls and smooth river stones for the floor. A rain showerhead is also a great addition, one that delivers a gentle, soothing water flow like a natural waterfall. And if you want that water flow to be consistently hot, weigh up the pros and cons of gas hot water, or consider solar power.

4. Beachside Vibe Shower

Living in the Adelaide Hills means that a trip to the beach isn’t always convenient, so why not bring some of that coastal inspiration to your outdoor space?

A beachside vibe shower can make for the perfect addition to your home. Like Kramer’s foray into fragrance creation on Seinfeld, this outdoor shower design is inspired by the ocean. It uses light, natural materials like driftwood and sand-coloured tiles to create a calm and airy atmosphere.

Add seashells, coral or pebbles to the shower stall design and you’ll truly bring the authentic coastal theme to life. These small details can be used as decorative features or even embedded in the shower floor so you feel like you’re walking on the beach as you shower.

5. Eco-Friendly Shower

An eco-friendly outdoor shower is ideal for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint while enhancing their backyard.

As far as designs for outdoor showers go, this one prioritises sustainable materials like:

• recycled timber
• reclaimed bricks
• natural stone

All in all, it makes the outdoor shower both eco-friendly and durable.

Water conservation is key. Installing low-flow showerheads and taps helps you keep your water usage at a minimum, without ever sacrificing comfort. It’s also well worth installing a greywater recycling system for added sustainability. This will use your shower water to irrigate your garden.

Don’t Forget to Use a Licensed Plumber

For any outdoor shower installation, you must get the right people in to help you. This is not a DIY job by any means. In addition to calling a professional landscape specialist, your first and foremost point of contact should be a licensed plumber.

In South Australia, homeowners are required by law to use a licensed plumber for any work that involves your water main and any pipework on your property. For a fully functional outdoor shower with running hot water, this certainly applies. The plumber will make sure your shower has proper drainage, is efficient and complies with government regulations.

Choose Your Perfect Outdoor Shower Enclosure

Outdoor showers offer the ideal combination of function and style; they’re perfect for any Adelaide Hills backyard. Whether you like the rustic charm of timber or the lushness of a tropical oasis, there are outdoor shower ideas to suit just about any home. Whichever option you choose, make sure it has proper drainage and that you use a licensed plumber.

So think about materials, design and environmental impact and you can create a shower space that’s separate from your indoor shower and reflects your values and style. Get outside and indulge in the luxury of an outdoor shower in your own backyard.

Please note: Thank you for reading our blog “5 Great Outdoor Shower Ideas For Your Backyard”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.