Today is the official start of summer and there is no better way to celebrate than to cool off under some running water in the sunshine. Being able to shower or bathe outside adds an entirely new dimension to any home, especially a tiny house.
Outdoor showers can be added to just about any size home.
Space is at a premium in a tiny house, so taking the act of bathing with lots of splashy water and steam out of the house and into the outdoors can create more room for actual living.
Bathing outside in the summer is not only amazing, but it’s also efficient.
Of course, having an outdoor shower may depend on where you are living. Hot and humid or desert climates are wonderful for cold outdoor showers, but cooler climates may need to integrate hot water or heaters into an outdoor shower. No matter what you decide to do, having just the option to rinse off outside is very nice.
My outdoor shower is a simple spray hose mounted over a flagstone.
At my house, I tend to do a lot of dusty, dirty yard work in the summer. Rather than dragging my filthy self into a clean bathroom, I’ll do a quick rinse outside in the yard. My shower of choice is a rudimentary sprayer nozzle and hose attached to an outdoor post. I stand on a flagstone and use biodegradable soap. Yes, the water is cold, but when it’s 90 degrees out, the cold water feels incredible. Since I live in a rural area, privacy is not an issue.
These following outdoor shower ideas are simple solutions that don’t require a lot of plumbing know-how or a lot of money. They can be used as just a place to rinse off, or even designed around an outdoor tub for alfresco soaking.
Plan for an integrated outdoor shower.
This tiny cabin by Olson Kundig in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia has a shower designed right into the architecture of the house. If you are planning on building your own house, making sure that the plumbing can reach both inside and outside from the get-go allows for an outdoor shower or tub to be part of the final plan.
Re-use or reclaim materials.
Create a functional outdoor shower with reclaimed materials. This house by architect Carlos Delgado not only has an outdoor shower but a privacy screen made from an old culvert cut in half.
Fill in an unused space
Designer Justina Blakeney turned an unsightly and unused part of her small, urban house into a walkway that leads to a hot tub. Within the private walkway is a perfect place to put in an outdoor shower for rinsing before and after a tub session.
Put it in the garden.
Having an outdoor shower can be an efficient way to use water. It’s even better when that water can be re-used for a garden. Have the water run off onto grass or drain into a flower or tree bed. Please use biodegradable soap and shampoo for this type of outdoor shower.
By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]
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