HOW TO DESIGN YOUR PERFECT OUTDOOR SHOWER OASIS; Increase Your Exterior Living Space and Keep you Interiors Clean This Summer

The pilgrimage home from the beach when I growing up was like no other.  We marched through the desert, barefoot in the hot sand through the narrow path, lined with stickers and shells.  Leaving behind the glorious ocean and the memories we made.  A half mile of wild, protected dunes filled with frogs and wild cats everywhere!

No sidewalks back then, I brag to my pampered daughters.  No protection from the attacks of the birds, I rant, sounding like Pop Pop (Both ways barefoot, uphill in the snow, blah, blah.)  But jokes aside, the trek to the beach was really was something back then. 

The Least Tern, hideous birds that, I hear, tastes just like chicken, makes its nest along the open space of our narrow path.  They are squatters on the protected land for the legit protected species, the Piping Plover.  And they don't like people.

If you’ve never experienced the wrath of a momma bird screeching and dive bombing your skull like a kamikaze pilot when you get too close to the babies, you’ve never known true fear.

 Think Hitchcock and “The Birds”

Every summer we came to stay at my grandparents' bungalow in Breezy Point, NY. Looking back at the house now, it’s a tiny, little place that we crammed cousins in like cockroaches.  Seven girls in the attic, four boys and Pop Pop in the basement and the moms and grandma on the first floor like civilized humans.  The other cousins lived just around the block.

Walking back from a solid 8 hours of hard labor at the beach, we were ready to hit the shower.  But that was the challenge.  

Pop Pop loved us, but from afar.  

We were never allowed to shower in the house.  NEVER!  And as I said, there were always quite a few cousins on line for the outdoor shower.

“I got the shower first”, one of the older cousins would yell before we even started to sweat on the walk home.   “I got the shower second, I got the shower third!” and on down the line.  My baby brother, the youngest of 20 first cousins, screamed from the back of the line,

“I got the hose first!”  

 For one entire summer, that poor 3 year old never made it past the hose.  Years of song parodies, teasing and nicknames stick with him to this day, sorry Boo bear!   He is going to kill me if he ever finds out I have a blog :)  

Now back to the outdoor shower designs of my youth.  Pop Pop’s shower was more than just a shower. My grandfather was the original Fred Sanford.  He built this outdoor shower enclosure oasis from “found” items.  It had rooms within rooms, steps down into a secret winding path to a bathroom and changing area.   

There were mirrors everywhere in his design for this glorious exterior living space.  They reflected the outdoors all around you and it was magic!   It also provided for hours of fighting for “peeking on me!”

If you asked Pop Pop where he got the unique stuff, like the five different paint colors for his fence, he’d always say “It fell off a truck.”  You never asked questions, he was scary.  A retired cop with half a larynx removed from Cancer, he always sounded like he was about to kick your ass!

It's only now, that I appreciate the genius in Pop Pop's design.  It had space for everything.  Changing, showering, a bathroom and best of all, a view of the sky.

There’s something about looking at the sky while cleansing yourself that is a spiritual experience. You and nature, in your birthday suits.   It’s just really freakin’ cool.  

 Just like this one with LED lighting and temperature controls to rival NASA, designed by Steve Mastrandrea, of Breezy Approved Construction.

I’m on vacation as I write this, thinking about outdoor showers because we’re sandy, we're going in the pool and it's some of my fondest memories of summer.  So I thought I’d take a look and see what’s what in outdoor showers as we prepare for the glorious days of summer.  Many of my neighbors at the beach shared their pictures and I thank you!

MUST HAVE’S FOR YOUR OUTDOOR SHOWER:

Remember the idea of the outdoor shower is to stay OUT OF THE HOUSE!  Shower, change, eat a burger and go back to the beach. 

• Water pressure!!!  You want to make this a desirable alternative to shower so the easiest way is to make that shower work!  My shower isn't fancy but it will give you a massage while you're in there. We fight for it!
• A shower body with a handheld showerhead.  Sand gets in places, enough said!
• Don't forget the foot rinse feature on the shower body for a quick cleanup if you have a stationary showerhead.
• A shelf or bench for shampoo and conditioner, a body wash (a bar of soap is a bad idea!) disposable razors, and whatever else will make it magical.
• Leave space to change and to keep clean clothes and towels dry and within reach.   My outdoor shower is tight, but a simple shower rod and curtain between the hanging towels and the water works just fine.
• Hooks for wet bathing suits
• Hooks for towels, beach and other towels
• Hooks for robes (if you’re fancy)  We have velcro terry wraps from Amazon that are perfect for any guest and even have a big pockets for jewelry or phones!
• A good shower scrub (see below for my favorite!)
• Dry towels storage, protected from a summer rain
• A toilet and sink, if you can swing it
• Privacy (or not, you wild thing!) 
• A view of the sky

And even a mirror to see yourself in nature!  You’d be surprised how great it is.

Don't forget about the rest of your family!  My dog loved a warm shower after his daily swim.  This is where a long hose for your handheld fixture pays off.  

Outdoor shower scrub

It's heavenly for your skin and sunblock clogged pores!  This summer treat for soft, glowing skin is a must for your outdoor shower designs, because it’s way too messy for indoors.  

 When we built our home, the outdoor shower was an afterthought.  There were so many other things to think about while building.  It went on the 'to do later list'.  Living at the beach requires one and I had the plumbing roughed in.  But, it took years for me to get it just right!  If outdoor living, messy kids and pets or just a love of nature is in your plan, take the time to plan for this outdoor oasis!

Best,

Liz

p.s.  If you haven't signed up to get my weekly blog, do it now.  Great things are coming for your home design and building projects!  Don't miss a juicy nugget.