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DIY Outdoor Shower
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Time: Weekend + plumbing
- Hot & Cold Water: Yes
- Privacy: Full-height vinyl enclosure
- Maintenance: Low
- Approximate Cost: $$$$
Why I Chose What I Chose (Because Apparently I Have Opinions and Time to Research)
When I started planning this project, I had a very specific vision in mind, but I knew it would be difficult to explain every detail to someone else.
Like all of my DIY projects, I enjoy being in control of the design and having the flexibility to make changes along the way if something isn’t turning out exactly as I imagined.
Every product below was chosen because it solved a specific problem:
1. creating privacy
2. hiding plumbing
4. lighting up the space
3. adding storage/function
5. make the space feel symmetrical
These are the exact products I used (or seriously considered) and would recommend if you’re building your own outdoor shower.
- Best Outdoor Shower Enclosure Kit
- Outdoor Shower Fixture (exposed pipe, rain shower head and foot wash)
- Planter Boxes for Privacy & Plumbing
- Wall-Mounted Shower Dispensers
- Towel hooks
- Surface Mount Brackets
- Solar Lights for an Outdoor Shower
- Bench and Planter Combo
- Best Alternative Outdoor Shower Enclosure
- Matching Vinyl Privacy Screen
1. Best Outdoor Shower Enclosure Kit
I chose this enclosure because I wanted something that looked custom without having to build it from scratch. The pergola top gives it beautiful classic look, and since it’s a complete kit, the DIY portion was simply following the assembly instructions instead of designing an enclosure from scratch. Would I buy it again? Absolutely.
2. Brushed Nickel Outdoor Shower Fixture (exposed pipe, rain shower head and foot wash)
This shower fixture checked every box for me. I loved the classic cross-handle design and brushed nickel finish, but what really sold me was the size of the 8-inch rain shower head. It fits the enclosure perfectly and positions the water so it falls directly into the center of the shower floor and down the drain instead of splashing onto the deck. I’d recommend this to anyone building an outdoor shower.
3. Outdoor Planter Boxes for Privacy & Plumbing
These planters solved two problems at once. They hide the plumbing running to the outdoor shower while providing the perfect place to plant tall Sky Pencil Hollies. I also wanted the shower and movie screen area to feel balanced, so placing matching planters on each side creates the symmetry that ties the entire space together.
4. Cutter-free Wall-Mounted Shower Dispensers
I wanted the shower to obviously be a place to rinse off, but also pretty. These wall-mounted dispensers match the brushed nickel shower fixture while eliminating clutter from shampoo bottles sitting on the floor. I also fill one with my homemade, eco-friendly peppermint body wash (made with castile soap, vegetable glycerin, and distilled water). The peppermint helps keep mosquitoes away.
5. Towel hooks
These hooks match the shower hardware perfectly. I installed two hooks inside the shower enclosure for towels and wet swimsuits. I also added three more on the outside so guests have a place to hang towels or bags before stepping into the shower.
6. Outdoor Shower Surface Mount Brackets
If you’re installing this outdoor shower enclosure on a deck, patio, or concrete, don’t skip these. The outdoor shower kit doesn’t include mounting brackets, so you’ll need either the surface mounts or the in-ground mounting kit (get that here) to secure it properly. It isn’t ideal that they’re sold separately, but they’re necessary for keeping it firmly anchored during high winds or storms. Since my enclosure has four posts, I used two 2-packs (four mounts total).
7. Best Solar Lights for an Outdoor Shower
These inexpensive solar lights are actually meant for your gutters but I mounted them directly to the inside walls of the enclosure. They charge during the day and automatically light up the inside at night. No wiring, no batteries, and no need to run electricity to the shower.
8. Outdoor Shower Bench and Planter Combo
I loved the size and design of these benches but wanted them to match the rest of my outdoor space. I painted them white using my favorite Rust-Oleum Satin Blossom spray paint, that perfectly matches the surrounding vinyl and PVC. A place to sit while changing shoes and home to my Kimberly Queen Ferns, which thrive in the warm, humid conditions around the outdoor shower.
9. Best Alternative Outdoor Shower Enclosure
This was actually my original plan for building the shower enclosure. I still think it’s a really great option if you’re looking for a simpler or less expensive DIY. The panels stand six feet tall, include planter boxes and the trellis can be positioned at different depths within the planter. That flexibility allows you to create a built-in shower bench behind the planter or position it closer to the front to conceal plumbing and add landscaping around your shower.
10. Matching Vinyl Privacy Screen
The Vita Camden Privacy Screen is what inspired the design of this entire outdoor space. It’s a privacy screen and the backdrop for our outdoor movie screen. Choosing a matching vinyl shower enclosure helped everything feel cohesive, giving the deck a built-in look instead of a looking like a bunch of unrelated projects. Repeating the same white vinyl throughout the space makes the shower look like it was always meant to be there.
Plumbing the Outdoor Shower
To supply both hot and cold water to the shower, we branched off the existing hot and cold water lines that feed our outdoor kitchen. We used SharkBite Max push-to-connect fittings to tie into the existing plumbing, then transitioned to 1/2-inch Sharkbite PEX-A expansion tubing that runs underneath the built-in outdoor bench we constructed next to the shower. Using a combination of tees, 90° elbows, straight couplings, and adapters, we routed both water lines to the shower fixture while keeping everything concealed beneath the deck. We also installed a shutoff valve with a drain inside the bench so the shower can be easily isolated and winterized if needed. The entire plumbing system is hidden from view but remains accessible through the access door in the bench, making future maintenance simple.
Products We Used
That plumbing setup has worked extremely well because there are no exposed water lines. Everything is tucked beneath the bench we built and deck.
Having both hot and cold water was one of the best decisions we made. The warm water makes the shower comfortable enough that our kids actually want to rinse off outside after a day at the beach. Instead of tracking sand through the house.
What You Should Know Before Buying This Outdoor Shower Enclosure
After comparing both options, I decided on a vinyl enclosure because it requires virtually no maintenance. Unlike wood, I don’t have to worry about painting, staining, rot, or termite damage. Since my outdoor shower is exposed to rain, humidity, and the Charleston sun, vinyl was the best long-term investment. It also matches my existing Privacy Trellis/Movie Screen.
My outdoor shower measure 42 inches wide by 46 inches, providing enough room to shower comfortably without taking up a large footprint in the yard. The enclosure is just over 7 feet tall, maintaining privacy.
The tall vinyl walls block views from every angle while the open pergola top keeps the space feeling bright and airy. Even without a roof, I never feel exposed while using it, and it still allows plenty of natural light inside.
The enclosure itself was surprisingly straightforward to assemble. The panels are well made, and the instructions were easy to follow. The most time-consuming part of the project wasn’t the enclosure. Building the deck, running the plumbing, and installing the shower fixture took the most time. If you’re only assembling the enclosure, it’s a manageable DIY project for most homeowners with basic tools.
Like any outdoor surface, the vinyl will collect pollen, dust, and the occasional mildew spot over time. The good news is that it’s incredibly easy to clean. Most dirt rinses right off with a garden hose, and for scuff marks or stubborn stains, a Mr. Clean Magic Erase makes it look like new in just a few minutes. Unlike a wood enclosure, there’s no painting, staining, or sealing required.
Yes—at least here in coastal South Carolina.u003c/strongu003e We use our outdoor shower from early spring through late fall, and on warm winter days it’s still handy for rinsing off after gardening, working outside, or spending time at the beach. Because the shower is connected to our home’s plumbing, we installed a shutoff valve with a drain inside the bench. That allows us to easily isolate the water supply and drain the plumbing if freezing temperatures are expected. If you live in a colder climate, I highly recommend including a similar shutoff and winterization plan to protect the pipes. One of the biggest surprises has been how often we use it. It started as a way to rinse off after beach trips, but now it gets used after yard work, playing outside with the kids and even cooling off on hot summer afternoons.
Person installing an outdoor shower enclosure with privacy panels and a metal shower head.- Detailed blueprint of a DIY outdoor shower enclosure with measurements and accessories.
- Close-up of a white handle for a DIY outdoor shower enclosure, part of outdoor bathroom setup.
- DIY outdoor shower enclosure with lattice panels, perfect for garden privacy and outdoor relaxation.
- Custom DIY outdoor shower enclosure featuring a pergola, brass shower head, and wall-mounted soap holder for outdoor relaxation.
When I started planning this project, I could already picture exactly what I wanted the finished space to look like. The challenge was that it was easier to build it myself than try to explain every detail to someone else. One of the things I love most about DIY is being able to pivot as the project evolves and make changes when inspiration strikes.
Everything I Learned Building My Outdoor Shower
Along the way, I learned how to run the plumbing myself. It definitely involved more than a few trips back and forth to Lowe’s and Home Depot, plenty of research, and a little trial and error. But once everything finally clicked, I realized it wasn’t as difficult as I first thought the first time I stood in that aisle in Home Depot.
Tackling something outside my comfort zone ended up being one of the most rewarding parts of the entire project. Aside from how amazing it feels to shower outside, birds chirping, wind blowing but privately in a beautiful space you built.
Looking back, this has become one of my favorite DIY projects we’ve ever completed. It gets used constantly after beach days, gardening, and playing outside with the kids. It turned an unused and awkward corner of our backyard into something that’s functional and pretty.
If you’re thinking about building one yourself, I hope this guide saves you hours of research and helps you create a space you’ll enjoy for years.
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