Bathrooms: Under The Wide Blue Sky

No need to wait for your next Island getaway to savour the joys of an outdoor shower – here’s how to create a tropical bathing oasis at home

- Kate Barber

Once upon a summertime, an outdoor shower was a purely practical set-up, usually found in holiday homes, designed to stop beachgoers trudging sand inside after a dip. These days, it’s a covetable addition for its own sake. “We’re definitely seeing more people create outdoor bathrooms and showers,” says Daniela Santilli, bathrooms and kitchens merchandising leader at Reece. “Bathing outdoors is no longer an extravagance reserved for resorts and hotels; people are seeking this luxurious experience every day at home.” An alfresco shower is also a wonderful way to enjoy your garden area. “It enhances your connection with nature and is a refreshing and invigorating experience,” Daniela adds. Inspired to create a five-star shower in your backyard just like this one, pictured opposite? All you need is practical know-how and inspiration.

A QUESTION OF STYLE

If space is limited in your backyard, an overhead shower (above) is all you really need but if you feel like splashing out, consider a two-in-one, which also includes a luxurious bath. “Our most popular shower model is the Milli Inox Freestanding Twin Rail Shower, as it offers flexible installation to position your shower wherever you wish,” Daniela explains. “Milli Inox’s Overhead Shower is a luxurious, guilt-free rain shower sensation as it has a WELS 3-star rating. Meanwhile, the slimline hand shower and flexible shower hose is perfect for spraying down the children, showering without wetting your hair, or even giving the dog a rinse.”