Dans Papers - May 18, 2007

Summer is quickly rolling in, and I find myself soaking up every possible moment outside. Whether it's eating on my front steps, taking my phone conversation for a walk around the block or dropping all the windows down and opening the sunroof when I go for a ride, I want to have the fresh air in my face as much as possible. In our seasonal climate it's true that you have to bask in the outdoors when you can, because too many cold evenings send us scampering to the fireside or the hot tub in search of warmth.

But those days are behind us now, and we have months to savor in the sun's warmth. One way to truly bask in nature's summer brilliance is by turning a commonly indoor activity inside out. Outdoor lunches and yoga sessions on the beach are certainly good ways to start. But if you're ready to take your love for the outdoors to a new level, it may be time to give some serious consideration to installing an outdoor shower. You can't get more intimate with nature than stripping down to your birthday suit and bathing in the open air.

What is more refreshing than taking the 15 or 20 minutes that would otherwise be spent in a grimy bathtub and spending that time bathing under cool water under the wide blue sky? Outdoor showers offer the perfect combination of rustic and luxurious. It can be as basic as a freestanding showerhead and a screen or as elaborate as a slate outdoor bathroom with a bench and adjustable showerhead. Either way, the natural sentiment of outdoor bathing will make you feel completely decadent.

Installing an outdoor shower is not as big of an ordeal as you might think. Even a beautiful, elegant-looking shower that is an extension of your bathroom can be quite affordable. It shouldn't cost more than renovating an existing bathroom. By installing an outdoor shower with access to another bathroom you could have the option of bathing al fresco at any time of year, until the pipes need to be drained to prevent freezing. Even on chilly nights, it's nice to take a hot shower under the stars and then make a dash for the bedroom to warm up under the sheets.

Any material that can weather a rainstorm can work for an outdoor shower. Varieties of stone like granite and slate are beautiful, high-quality options. Marble has a tendency to get slippery, so you might want to avoid it, at least for the floor. Treated wood is also a durable option, which gives a simple and rustic look. Recycled materials can also be used for your outdoor shower. Ceramic and beach glass can be combined to make a gorgeous mosaic for the shower, but make sure that there are no sharp edges that might cut someone's feet.

It's nice to uphold the natural feel of the shower when considering privacy. Living barriers can create the perfect ambience to keep that outdoor sentiment. A line of bamboo will quickly grow to obscure any potential onlookers. Vines can also grow to shield you from view. Otherwise, wood screens do the trick.

Outdoor showers don't usually require more pipes or fixtures than indoor showers. If your shower is placed in a location that is close to plumbing, it will be simple to add the necessary drainage. Since there will be a lot of "gray water" coming from your outdoor shower, you definitely need good drainage. Otherwise, the water will go right into your soil, which is bad for the environment. It is important to find out about zoning laws as well as drainage considerations so that you are acting in accordance with nature. After all, nature is what the outdoor shower is all about.

Whether you are renovating a bathroom to be indoor and outdoor or you are building an outdoor shower from scratch, it is a great investment. There is no better way to soak up the outdoors than under a steady stream of water and the wide-open sky.