I’ve been obsessed with outdoor showers ever since I installed one at my beach house three years ago. But what took me forever to figure out was how to keep all my shower stuff from turning into a soggy mess. Clever storage solutions totally make or break an outdoor shower experience – you need places for towels, soap, shampoo, razors and all that stuff but they can’t get wet or gross.
Discover why every gardener needs an outdoor shower for these practical setups.
Wall-Mounted Solutions That Actually Work
So I tried those plastic shower caddies first. Big mistake. They get all mildewy and gross after like two rainstorms.
What actually works are cedar or teak wall-mounted shelves with proper drainage. This Old House has a great article showing how cedar resists moisture naturally and looks way better too.
I installed mine about 5 feet up the wall – high enough to keep stuff dry but not so high my shorter friends can’t reach. You want shelves with slats not solid pieces, so water drains through instead of pooling.
But yeah, don’t overthink the design at first. My buddy Dave went super fancy with his, spent like $300 on custom teak, and honestly my $40 cedar planks from the hardware store work just as well.
Hidden Storage Compartments
The real game-changer for our outdoor shower was building a bench with a flip-top lid. Looks like a normal shower bench but lifts up to store all the bigger stuff – extra towels, beach toys, whatever.
Wait – let me rephrase. You don’t even need woodworking skills to do this. There are weatherproof deck boxes you can just buy and place near your shower that do the exact same thing.
I’ve found that keeping a small container of silica gel packets in there helps keep everything dry even when some moisture inevitably gets in. My wife thinks I’m ridiculous with this but it works.
Also, Angi has some pretty cool design ideas for built-in niches in shower walls if you’re building from scratch. These little recessed areas are perfect for holding soap and smaller items without taking up any floor space.
Towel Storage That Doesn’t Get Nasty
Hooks are obvious for towels but where you put them matters so much. Don’t mount them inside the actual shower area – place them on the exterior wall or on a nearby fence.
I installed a copper pipe mounted horizontally – looks super cool and holds like 4 towels. The copper has developed this awesome patina over time. Totally by accident too, I was just being cheap and had leftover pipe from another project.
For multiple family members, try those labeled hooks so everyone knows whose towel is whose. Eliminates so many arguments.
Houzz has a gallery of outdoor shower ideas that shows some really smart doubled-up hooks where wet suits can hang on one side while dry towels stay on the other.
Soap and Shampoo Dispensers
Those little soap dishes that always fall off the wall in indoor showers? They’re even worse outside.
Anyway, I went with mounted pump dispensers – like what you’d see at a hotel – screwed directly into the shower wall. Three of them: shampoo conditioner and body wash. They’re refillable and eliminate all those bottles that collect grime.
You can get weather-resistant ones meant for outdoor use. OutdoorGearLab has good reviews of some models that have built-in storage compartments too.
Just don’t get the clear ones – they grow algae inside when exposed to sunlight. Found that out the hard way. The solid color dispensers hide everything and look cleaner.
Drainage Solutions That Double as Storage
So here’s something weird that worked amazingly well. I built a pebble drain area for our shower that doubles as bottle storage. It’s basically a ring of larger stones around the drain with spaces between where bottles can stand upright without falling over.
The water drains away through the stones, the bottles stay upright and they don’t sit in puddles. Learn about the hidden disadvantages of rain chains in a similar context. Makes sense when you think about it.
I got the idea from some Pinterest boards on outdoor shower research that had people using river rock layouts for drainage.
For winter storage in colder climates, I use an old metal mailbox mounted to the fence near the shower. It’s completely weatherproof but still looks kinda rustic and cute. Perfect for storing all the shower stuff during off-season.
Key Outdoor Shower Storage Tips
- Keep towel hooks outside the shower area
- Use weatherproof dispensers instead of loose bottles
- Avoid clear dispensers that grow algae in sunlight
- Consider drainage areas that double as bottle storage
- Plan for off-season storage in colder climates
Creating smart storage for your outdoor shower doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on weatherproof materials, proper drainage, and keeping things accessible but protected. Your future self will thank you when you’re not hunting for a place to put your shampoo while standing there dripping wet!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Does the Water From an Outdoor Shower Go?
The water from an outdoor shower usually drains into the ground or a nearby drainage system.
If it’s connected to plumbing, it goes through pipes like a regular shower.
If not, well, it just kind of soaks in. Easy peasy!
Is There an Outdoor Shower That Won’t Freeze?
Yeah, you can definitely get an outdoor shower that won’t freeze! Look for ones with insulated pipes or heating elements.
Some even have drain systems to clear out water before it gets too cold. Super handy, right?
Does an Outdoor Shower Add Value to Your Home?
Totally! An outdoor shower can definitely add some cool factor to your home.
It’s great for summer barbecues and beach days. Plus, it can feel super luxurious.
You might even attract buyers looking for that outdoor vibe. Why not?
What Do You Put on the Ground of an Outdoor Shower?
For an outdoor shower, you can use several flooring options:
- Gravel for excellent drainage
- Stepping stones for a natural look
- Wood decking for comfort and style
Just make sure whatever you pick is durable and can handle the wetness. Definitely think about what feels right for your vibe!
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