While an outdoor shower with a French drain was not part of the original plans for my garden, it quickly became a game changer and one of my favourite parts of my outdoor space. If you’re looking for a way to elevate your backyard (which I highly recommend), this is my experience installing and using my French drain and outdoor shower.
If you’ve been following along with my garden, you’ll probably remember that one of the projects I completed was a spa area with a hot tub. While I initially had some concerns about the amount of energy, water, and chemicals that hot tubs use, I knew that it could help alot with my chronic pain.
And I was right! Soaking at least once a day has made a world of a difference, and I’ve managed to find ways to keep my setup eco-friendly and natural.
When I set out to install the hot tub in my garden, my original plans did not include an outdoor shower. However, the second-hand hot tub that I ended up purchasing from Facebook marketplace included one, and adding it to my little outdoor oasis has been one of the best (accidental) decisions I’ve made.
Here’s what you need to know…
What is a French Drain?
If you’re not familiar with the French drain, it’s essentially a trench or hole filled with rocks that allows water to seep through and redirect it. Some drains designed to handle more water also include a perforated pipe or weeping tile.
While similar subsurface drainage systems have been used for centuries, Henry Flagg French popularized the French drain in 1859 when he wrote about them in his book Farm Drainage. This early iteration described by the French used roofing tile, but special drain tiles with perforations were designed later.
Nowadays, French drains are typically used to prevent ground and surface water from damaging buildings and installed along streets and highways as an alternative to open ditches and storm sewers.
My French Drain Design
When I started researching drainage options for the base of the shower, the French drain immediately stood out to me. It was a simple solution that didn’t require any synthetic materials.
Because I only needed to prevent water from pooling at the bottom of the shower, not to direct the water to a different area of my property, I went with a basic design. Rather than using a pipe, I was able to simply create a 3 feet deep hole the size of the shower base.
My soil was so compacted and saturated from the high water table, that it came out like a perfect cube with straight sides!
Since the shower is next to my hot tub where there are no plants, I didn’t need to line the hole with landscape fabric. Once I had my drainage hole, I just filled it with ¾ inch crush gravel from my local landscape store. I also placed a wood and bamboo base on top of the rocks to make the shower more comfortable on my feet.
Now when I turn the shower on, the water runs into the gravel and quickly filters down instead of pooling!
The Shower Design
An outdoor shower wasn’t in my original plan for this area. But since one came with my second-hand hot tub, I decided to make use of it.
Like my hot tub, the shower needed a bit of work, but I was able to salvage most of the parts. The main thing I had to do was replace the pipe, as the original one had burst.
The shower is a propane-fueled camping shower, which heats up the water quickly and works so well for the space I have.
I generally have a cold shower after spending time in the hot tub. I do circuits in the hot tub, soaking for fifteen minutes in the heat, followed by an ice-cold shower. Especially during the summer, I find that I haven’t had a shower indoors in weeks.
Now that it’s getting colder, I can also have warm showers outside. It also makes showering before I get in the hot tub so convenient, which helps keep the water clean without having to use chemicals. Showering before entering is one of the main ways that I keep my hot tub clean.
Decorating My Outdoor Shower
My hot tub and outdoor shower area are seriously one of my favourite parts of my house. My secondhand hot tub also came with a privacy gazebo made of cedar. The wood has been treat with Shou Sugi Ban, which is a Japanese technique for burning wood to preserve and stain it.
I added some shelves to the walls to decorate, filling it with houseplants, candles, and a knickknacks or two. These houseplants are good to hang out outside for the warmer months, and I’ll bring them in for the colder months.
Around the base, I added some potted shade plants like hostas and ferns to really make it feel like you’re showering in the forest. I use the shower water to keep them hydrated so it’s a great spot for plants that like the moisture.
Keeping Your Outdoor Shower Eco-Friendly
Like most things I do, I try to keep my outdoor shower as eco-friendly as possible. Because I opted for a French drain, it’s important for me to keep in mind that all the products I use will drain into the earth.
For me, this means using my own homemade soap and biodegradable shampoo. Right now, I’ve been loving my sunflower and turmeric soap, but if you’re interested in making your own natural soap, I have tons of recipes and tips.
FAQs About My Outdoor Shower
Where not to put a French drain?
French drains should not be installed less than 3 feet away from any walls, trees, and fences. Low spots in your yard are also not the place for a French drain as natural pooling can cause the drain to retain too much water.
How deep should a French drain be buried?
This type of drain needs to be at least a foot and a half deep in order to do its job. I chose to make mine 3 feet to accommodate my shower.
What is the best base for an outdoor shower?
The base I chose for my own outdoor shower is made of wood and bamboo. It allows the water to drain into the gravel, but it’s still comfortable to stand on. I also liked the natural look of this option, but stone tiles are another popular choice.
Overall, my outdoor shower has quickly become one of my very favourite things in my yard. If you’re considering installing one, whether you have a hot tub or not, I can’t recommend it enough! If you have any questions about the design or usage, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
