Bathing beneath the stars – outdoor rules of engagement

When considering an outdoor shower or bath, one needs to be realistic about essentially skinny-dipping in the garden.

Enjoying a soothing outdoor wallow in one’s own garden requires feeling safe, while also respecting the privacy of one’s neighbours.

We spoke with Tracey Miller-Smith of Eco Balance Landscapes and Gen Daw of Bellagio Interiors – both with more than 15 years experience in landscaping and interior design – on this growing trend.

“These features are extremely popular on the North Coast and can commonly be found especially at beach homes and within estates,” said Miller-Smith.

“You have to feel safe when using an outdoor shower or bath, both being standalone features,” Tracey said.

To prevent having your derrière exposed to nosy neighbours, Tracey advises finding a balance between screening and cocooning, while also maintaining the outdoor feel.

“These areas are screened by a combination of built walls or wooden screens and plants. Positioned conveniently, with ease of access in mind, these facilities also need to have a storage unit for your cleaning products so you do not need to cart them with you each time you would like to have a shower outside.”

“Our temperate weather conditions are also suitable for outdoor showering, and there are so many design themes to consider,” she said.

Gen said designers were tying in outdoor areas into the main home design by also bringing natural elements into the home.

“The key to any design of bathrooms is flow of design, merged with utmost practicality and safety.”

Daw advised when using textures on the floor, that these either be tiled, wood or concrete with course textures so as to avoid slipping.

Positioning of the actual bath or shower is also of fundamental importance, especially when it comes to cost. Daw advises that homeowners find existing plumbing outlets to use and see how, and where, one could practically tap into these.

Trendy right now is a verdant setting, Daw said, with a lush tropical setting.

Other ideas include a spa-like sanctuary combining the use of tiles, wood panels and greenery. Or go minimalist, by keeping all the finishes uniform.

A trend Daw is loving, she said, is the use of repurposed materials such as copper pipes and fittings, tying in lush tropical gardens which emulate nature through the use of fish scale tiles, mixed with wood, stone and concrete.

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