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Outdoor showers are a necessary luxury for any and all beach houses, lakeside cabins, cottages, and tropical resorts. There’s just something about showering in the open air, especially when stunning views are part of the package. Plus, practically speaking, they’re also convenient and make tracking sand and mud into your home a problem of the past. Read on for all the outdoor showers we really wish were ours this summer—and beyond.
The Rustic One
Lacy Phillips is an expert in manifestation but it didn’t take much of that to end up with this sweet setup that replaced her Topanga Canyon home’s old outhouse. It’s proof that an outdoor shower can be as simple as installing a basic gooseneck head and a worn-in cast iron tub for the days you want to kick your feet up.
The Surfer-Approved One
Artist Danielle Hutchens and Dana Seagraves’ outdoor shower is even more bare-bones. The couple built it down the hill where Seagraves parks his car so he can pop under the water after returning from the beach. The structure is made out of recycled materials from the previous outdoor bathroom and surrounded by young banana trees that make it feel a bit more like a tropical oasis.
The One on the Deck
If the occasional spritz is what you’re after, consider hooking up your shower out in the open. This Australian rental’s setup makes it easy to step under the water in between sunbathing sessions. And if you change your mind and want to head to the ocean to cool off, just grab the beach chair off the wall hook and go.
The One Just Off the Bathroom
Avid surfer Quincy Davis found a sliver of space off his primary bedroom to build a simple outdoor shower, giving him options when he wants to clean up.
The One with a Statement Wall
This outdoor shower turned into a DIY project for Concrete Collaborative cofounder Kate Balsis’ entire family. Her husband and sons worked together on everything from cutting wood for the deck to tiling the backdrop. It’s no surprise it gets used every day—not just after beach trips. “Sometimes they even shower out there in the morning on a regular day,” she says.
The One That’s Also a Dressing Room
Sometimes you have to take a shower outside simply because all the ones inside are taken. This extra-private arrangement designed by Workshop/APD has a glass partition separating the wet zone from a small changing area, so guests can toss on dry clothes after they’re done.
The One with DIY Walls
You don’t have to hire an architect to provide coverage. Model Candice Huffine and Hyphen & Co. interior designer Shelly Lynch-Sparks keep their Hamtpons outdoor shower a secret with hardwearing curtains and sturdy rods that also support a mirror.
The One That’s a Relief from the Sauna
If an infrared sauna is your priority (psst: check out our favorites here), consider installing a simple shower system just outside of the shack. Signature Hardware has an outdoor shower package that’s less than $210 and we’re big fans of Pottery Barn’s Malibu system because it can mount on the edge of a wall.
The One That’s Part Potting Station
For a real jungle vibe, Los Angeles–based writer Camilla Blackett and her designer, Thayna Alves, installed an outdoor shower alongside a series of plant shelves. Blackett starts her day out here, accompanied by an early-morning cacophony of hummingbirds and dragonflies, and winds down with a nighttime bath (the tube was a $500 Craigslist score).
The One with Windows
Another genius tip we learned from Workshop/APD? Frame your outdoor shower with windows. Whether it’s a view, cool breeze, or conversation you crave, this addition lets you really feel one with nature.
The One That Feels Like It’s Indoors
The mom-daughter designer duo behind CM Interiors stole some unused square footage from this Texas home’s patio to create a dreamy outdoor shower swathed in zellige tile. It’s easy to forget you’re out in the open air when you’re in this tucked-away nook.
The One Made Out of Hardy Wood
Designer Sybille Zimmermann learned about Kebony wood decking when she was in Switzerland. Turns out, it looks a whole lot like Brazilian ipé hardwood, except it’s more resistant to warping and splintering and is sustainably harvested from FSC-certified forests. When left unfinished, the boards evenly fade to a silvery gray.
The Minimalist One
Photographer Magdalena Wosinska’s adobe home in the Sawtooth mountain range is all about the landscape, so rather than tack a whole new outdoor shower structure onto the house, she went with discreet wall-mounted hardware from California Faucets. You almost don’t even notice the showerhead above the transom window.
The One with Just the Clawfoot Tub
Photographer Thayer Gowdy went the soaking route at her former Bolinas, California home, but the hand shower attachment makes it possible to get the satisfaction of a rinse.