Photography: @blackreelcreative
Is there anything more serene than the combination of water, sunshine, fresh air and surrounding greenery? With an outdoor shower you get all of the elemental delights that Mother Nature has to offer, plus plenty of functional benefits.
With an outdoor shower you can rinse off chlorine or salt water after a swim in the pool, wash away dirt and sweat from a strenuous gardening session or simply enjoy a little moment of self care, immersed in nature. The biggest benefit is clear: keeping dirt outside where it belongs.
But which materials are hardy enough to withstand direct exposure to Australia’s harsh climate? And how do you ensure privacy from neighbours? Paddy Milne, landscaper and host of Selling in the City, Toby France, director of Exterior Architecture, Antony Aris, director of Bondi Landscapes and Anthony Wyer, founder of Wyer & Co, share a clean sweep of expert knowledge.
What are the core components of an outdoor shower?
Stripped down to the basics, outdoor showers are compact. They require a non-slip surface to stand on, tapware, drainage and privacy. This could come in the form of a nib wall or strategically placed plant.
If space allows, Anthony suggests elevating from “an outdoor tap into an experience”. You can do this with lighting, towel hooks, a ledge for products and a handheld showerhead. “It’s the unsung hero for rinsing sandy feet, kids and dogs,” he adds. To ensure year-round use, Toby stresses the importance of running a hot water line, not just cold.
Do outdoor showers require a drain?
In short, yes an outdoor shower does require a drain. Showering on your lawn might seem fun but, warns Antony, “It quickly becomes muddy, and the surrounding landscape deteriorates.” Proper drainage is essential. “If you are adding a fixed drain, it must be connected to the sewer, not stormwater,” says Toby, who suggests a smart tile floor waste for concealed drainage.
A smart tile floor waste ensures proper drainage without compromising on style in this KWD space. (Photography: Martina Gemmola / Styling: Annalese Hay)
In Australia, drainage requirements (also known as the Legal Point of Discharge or LPOD) for outdoor showers vary from state to state. In Queensland, for example, if an outdoor shower has both hot and cold water, it must have a roof and a grated drain that connects to the sewer. Meanwhile in NSW and Victoria, outdoor showers must discharge to sewerage. These states do not allow run off from outdoor showers to be directed to the stormwater drain or to the garden.
“If there’s flexibility with your legal point of discharge, then natural stone pavers can be installed with surrounding surface pits or sun surface drainage,” says Paddy. “Groundcovers can then be planted around these drains to help disguise them.”
Paddy says you might even have to get creative with outdoor drainage. If a lower drainage point isn’t feasible, “Consider a bath on a deck or elevated platform.”
What height should you install an outdoor shower?
As a general rule, the showerhead should be installed at least 2200mm from the finished floor. However, 2400mm is even better for an outdoor oasis. “It helps the water fall cleanly without splashing everywhere,” Anthony explains. A mixer height of 1100mm will suit most family members.
Where should you position an outdoor shower?
Placement depends on intended use. If rinsing off after a swim, keep it close to your pool. For gardening clean-ups or post-beach adventures, install near a rear door or along a side passage.
Privacy is another important consideration. “Position the shower along a boundary wall or tucked into a garden nook where planting can provide natural screening,” says Toby. “Layered greenery or a feature wall can create a sense of retreat.” No matter the location, install a paved path or steppers leading to the house so that feet aren’t dirtied walking through grass.
What materials work best for outdoor showers?
Tapware will need to be durable, especially as most outdoor showers don’t have any protection from the elements. “For coastal homes, we recommend stainless steel, as it withstands rust, corrosion and harsh weather conditions,” says Toby.
A material that blends form with function is copper. As Antony explains, “It handles the elements exceptionally well, ages beautifully with a natural patina, and is incredibly durable.”
Which plants thrive near outdoor showers?
Incorporating greenery can create a smoother transition between your outdoor shower and the garden beyond. Plus, it simply makes the space feel more like a sanctuary. “We love hardy groundcovers around the base,” says Toby, listing Dichondra repens as an example. “For a lush, tropical feel, Strelitzias and Ligularias work beautifully.”
If you’re hoping for less clean-up, especially around the drain, avoid perennials and deciduous trees. Planning on using soap and hair care? Be extra careful with the closest plants and soil as these products can be harmful to them.
Paddy says that while tropical plants are popular and work well, you don’t have to be restricted to these selections.
“Any garden and planting style can include an outdoor shower – the key is matching the shower design to the style of the garden. Our stone and corten feature sits perfectly within a bush setting, but imagine a more ‘Roman baths’ style in a formal clipped garden; a rustic tub in dryscape setting of succulents and perennials, a clawfoot bath under a pergola of grapes or a minimalist feature in a sleek modern landscape of architectural plants,” says Paddy.
Outdoor shower privacy ideas
Paddy says it’s important to consider how private you want the outdoor shower zone to be. “Is it an ‘after pool’ shower, or something more intimate that requires screening from neighbours and other household members?”
The next thing to think about is where to place the outdoor shower. “The space to be openly celebrated, or a quiet retreat?” If you live in an urban area, he recommends scoping out the site of the outdoor shower for any upstairs neighbours who may be able to look down into the shower zone. Once you’ve identified all the aspects you need to shield from prying eyes, he says you can get creative with a variety of screening options.
Paddy Milne’s favourite screening options for outdoor showers
- Laser cut screens
- Vertical blades
- Shower curtains
- Walls or timber screening
What flooring is best for an outdoor shower
The most important thing to think about when selecting a base for your outdoor shower is the slip-resistance of the surface. For a non-slip foundation, a concrete slab, paving or steppers all work well. Adds Anthony, “Timber slats can look beautiful too, as long as they’re detailed to drain and dry properly.”
Paddy tends to favour natural stone. “Natural stone feels right under foot, even if it’s just the ‘landing spot’ under your shower head.” He says timber is another great option, but may require more long-term maintenance. “There are some stunning composite timber options on the market now or you could consider a natural timber that’s left to silver and grey, saving oiling twice a year.”
How to make your outdoor shower water efficient
“As with all water use, efficiency is paramount,” says Paddy. “Consult with your plumber on opportunities for using rain water for your hot and cold water supply and incorporating a waste water recycling system. If reusing the water is an option for you, be mindful about the shampoo and soaps you use.”
(Photography: Rebecca Lu | Styling: Rachel Peters)
Outdoor shower lighting
Outdoor lighting is important if you plan to use the shower in the evening, but it can also turn the shower into a feature of your garden.
If you’re showering under the stars regularly then ensure the pathway to the outdoor shower is well lit. Paddy recommends investing in bollard lights or subtle lighting hidden within the landscaping.
Now we’ve misted over the basics of outdoor shower design, let’s dive into eight outdoor shower designs.
Beautiful outdoor shower ideas
Rustic outdoor shower
The award-winning garden feature
Paddy Milne’s award-winning outdoor shower, designed for a native bush garden, features bespoke vertical Corten steel panels contrasted against a natural stone wall.
Contemporary outdoor shower
Surrounded by low-maintenance OzTurf
Located strategically between the swimming pool and the house, this outdoor shower in a Gold Coast garden designed by Denise Staffa of Outside In is the perfect place to rinse off before heading back indoors. While much of the garden features Sir Walter lawn, in this zone, OzTurf provides a maintenance free solution that is also incredibly practical in a rinse-off zone.
Hamptons style outdoor shower
With the right accessories
What better way to complete a slice of urban paradise than with a sleek outdoor shower? At this home in Melbourne’s inner east, a quiet corner features a Milli ‘Inox’ outdoor shower from Reece. A drum stool accessorises, providing the perfect spot to throw a towel.
Poolside outdoor shower
Surrounded by low-maintenance plants
The makeover of this backyard included the installation of an above-ground swimming pool, the construction of a heated cabana, an L-shaped pond, low-maintenance native plants and an outdoor shower, of course! Colourful plants frame the outdoor shower, including spreading succulents (such as blue chalk sticks and fire and ice). Cassa Blue and iopmoea sweet light green add to the pretty palette.
Tropical outdoor shower
Hidden by greenery
No beach house is complete without an outdoor shower, the first line of defence against wayward grains of sand. In this tropical Sydney garden, smart landscaping keeps the shower zone private, with the broad, spectacular Colocasia leaves fanning out to provide a barrier between the garden and shower zone.
Beach house retreat
Featuring a weatherboard backdrop
This recently renovated two-bedroom granny flat and holiday home is located just five minutes from the ocean, so it was essential to create a place for guests to rinse off upon their return from the beach.
Combined outdoor shower and bath
Enclosed by decking
Why settle for just an outdoor shower when you can have an outdoor shower and outdoor bath? At this coastal home in northern NSW, the owners had the genius idea to close off a courtyard and turn it into a heavenly outdoor bathing zone.
White outdoor shower
For an elegant ‘barely there’ effect
Look closely and you’ll spot an elegant white outdoor shower nestled between flower beds right beside the pool at the home of Sam and Snezana Wood. It’s a great spot to cool off after an intense gym session or to rinse off after a swim in the pool.
