21 DIY Outdoor Shower Ideas

(And Why You’ll Probably Be Googling “How to Hide From Neighbors While Naked” By Next Weekend)

Here’s how this started: I was standing in my kitchen (yes, the same one that briefly looked like a dental office) when I realized something was missing from my life. Was it emotional balance? A working air fryer? Probably.
But mostly—it was an outdoor shower.

Because nothing says “I’ve got it together” quite like rinsing off under the stars after pretending you know how to garden all day. Or, let’s be honest, hosing off your dog after they rolled in something unspeakable.

Naturally, I spiraled.

Two Pinterest rabbit holes, a very confused trip to the hardware store, and one accidental run-in with my neighbor later (hi, Bob), I discovered the art of the DIY outdoor shower. And no, you don’t need a beach house or a $10,000 plumbing budget. You just need a hose, some creativity, and maybe a questionable privacy screen.

Here are 21 DIY outdoor shower ideas that will make you feel like you’re living in an off-duty resort—whether you’ve got a backyard, a tiny patio, or a patch of grass that’s technically a utility easement.

1. The “I’m on Pinterest Too Much” Bamboo Shower

Bamboo poles. Copper pipe. Zero plumbing license required. This is the DIY of choice for anyone who owns a linen jumpsuit and says things like “we foraged for herbs.”

2. The Hose Hack

Attach a hose to a shower head and mount it to…anything, really. A tree. A fence. Your child’s forgotten swing set. It’s giving “cottagecore on a budget.”

3. Pallet Privacy Palace

Stack up old pallets like you’re building an Instagram-worthy shipping crate fort. It’s rustic. It’s recycled. It’s also a great place for spiders. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

4. Surf Shack Shower

PVC pipe, galvanized fixtures, and a weathered surfboard as a backplate. Even if the closest you’ve been to a wave is a bathtub.

5. Stock Tank Spa Vibes

Old stock tank + some planks + a shower head = rustic chic. Also doubles as a dog wash station or an Instagram backdrop, depending on the day.

6. Minimalist Slatted Screen

Sleek. Scandinavian. Also looks like you could film a very tasteful shampoo commercial in it. Bonus points if you add a teak stool you found at a thrift store.

7. Beach Bungalow Bucket Shower

Install an old tin bucket with holes in the bottom. Fill it up, yank the rope, and pretend you’re in an indie film. It’s vintage. It’s quirky. It’s also a little cold, but that’s part of the charm.

8. Driftwood Dream Shower

Driftwood posts and stones create the kind of spa escape that screams “I make my own granola.” Bonus: you can forage the materials for free (if you’re into that).

9. Garden Hose + Copper Pipe Hybrid

A Pinterest classic. Fashion a faux-plumbed shower with copper pipe and fittings, but really, it’s just your hose behind the curtain. No one will know. Until the water pressure drops.

10. Retro Campground Vibes

Think enamel basin, plaid curtains, and a sign that says “Hot Showers 25¢.” Even if it’s free. Even if it’s lukewarm at best.

11. Waterfall from Nowhere

Hide the pipe behind a stone wall and let the water pour out like you live in a luxury resort. It’s fake fancy, but it works.

12. Outdoor Shower Cabana

DIY a cabana using leftover fence panels, add a curtain, and suddenly you’re on the French Riviera (or at least you can pretend while your neighbor grills hot dogs).

13. Repurposed Rain Barrel Rinse Station

Gravity-fed, rainwater chic. If you like your showers to feel like a pioneer adventure, this is the move.

14. Tree Hugger Shower

Use a sturdy tree as your post and let the branches do the shading. It’s natural. It’s earthy. It’s also a bird’s favorite spot to watch you naked. Just saying.

15. Salvaged Door + Rustic Fixtures

An old door as the backdrop? I mean, is it safe? Probably not. Does it look amazing on Instagram? Absolutely.

16. Sailcloth Privacy Curtain

Drape sailcloth around a basic hose setup and pretend you’re on a yacht in the Hamptons. Even if you’re just in your backyard, 20 feet from your kid’s trampoline.

17. Stone Wall Serenity

Stack flat stones for that spa-meets-backyard-bbq vibe. Warning: this may trigger an unexpected need to start a moss collection.

18. Poolside Pipe Party

PVC pipe, poolside, and a colorful shower curtain that screams “Spring Break 2004.” Tacky? Maybe. Fun? Always.

19. Surfboard Showstopper

Got an old surfboard? Turn it into the ultimate quirky shower backdrop. Bonus points if you don’t surf but love the vibe.

20. Tiny Cabin Chic

Simple slatted walls, a galvanized tub for your feet, and a wooden plank floor. Rustic meets cozy meets “why is there a frog in my shower?”

21. Fairy Light Shower

Wrap your outdoor shower in solar fairy lights and pretend you live in a glamping resort. Sure, the mosquitoes will crash the party, but it’s still magical.

DIY outdoor showers are having a moment because, let’s face it, we all want to feel like we live in an Anthropologie catalog, even if our “yard” is technically shared with three other apartments and a feral cat.

So grab a hose, find a tarp, and maybe throw in a citronella candle or five. Your dreamy outdoor rinse station is calling—and it definitely smells like cedar soap and mosquito repellent.

Thinking about attempting one? I’ve DIY-ed (and mildly regretted) several versions. Drop your “help, I want an outdoor shower but I have commitment issues” situation below and I’ll share what actually works. Or at least what won’t flood your patio.