Carolyn J. Braden • 4 Minute Read
DIY Tropical Outdoor Shower Makeover with Budget-Friendly Ideas
There's something about an outdoor shower that instantly makes your backyard feel like a tropical resort. Living near the beach on Sanibel Island, Florida, we use our outdoor shower often. Whether we're rinsing off after swimming in our pool, washing away sandy feet after a beach day, cooling off after gardening, or simply enjoying a refreshing shower outdoors, it's become one of our favorite spaces.
SPROOS! DISCOUNT
This project was inspired by my Vitamin C Sproos! which is great for indoors, outdoor showers, RV’s and more. Get a Sproos discount by using my link.
We originally built our DIY outdoor shower several years ago, and you can find the complete step-by-step tutorial here. Since then, we've loved using it so much that we decided it deserved a little tropical refresh!
The best part? This makeover only took a couple of hours, used budget-friendly materials, and completely transformed the space.
Before and After!
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Why We Decided to Upgrade Our Outdoor Shower
Our original outdoor shower was still in great shape, but we wanted it to feel a little more like the tropical resorts we love. We also wanted materials that would continue to hold up well in our salty coastal environment.
Living on Sanibel Island means we constantly battle:
Salt air
Humidity
Heavy rain
Intense Florida sunshine
Hurricanes + Tropical Storms
Choosing the right materials makes all the difference.
Why We Choose Plastic, Stainless Steel, and Wood
One lesson we've learned from living near the Gulf is that almost every untreated metal rust fairly quickly.
Whenever possible, we choose:
Stainless steel hardware
Plastic accessories
Pressure-treated wood
Natural wood decking
Weather-resistant materials
These choices help our projects last much longer while requiring less maintenance.
How to Create a Beautiful Tropical Outdoor Shower at Home
We Still Love Our Original Reed Fencing
One feature we didn't change was the reed fencing we installed during our original outdoor shower build.
It continues to provide privacy while adding natural texture that pairs beautifully with the new greenery and wood flooring.
Sometimes a small refresh is all a space needs instead of a complete renovation.
See how we used reed fencing to hide an ugly ceiling here or below in our short YouTube video via our channel @carolynjbraden:
How We Use Our Outdoor Shower Every Week
Our outdoor shower gets used far more than we ever expected.
Some of our favorite uses include:
Rinsing off after swimming in our pool
Washing away beach sand after visiting Sanibel Island beaches
Cleaning off after gardening
Cooling down on hot Florida afternoons
Rinsing our dogs’ feet before they come inside
Washing muddy shoes and sports gear
Cleaning outdoor toys
Rinsing off after kayaking or paddleboarding
Keeping sand out of the house after shell collecting adventures
It's one of the hardest-working spaces in our backyard.
👀Check out my 1-minute 📹 video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
This is so refreshing in the summer…I love it!
Outdoor Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Own Backyard
🔗Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Lowe’s where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
If you're thinking about building or upgrading an outdoor shower, here are a few ideas to personalize your space:
Install solar-powered string lights for evening ambiance.
Add tropical potted plants like palms, bird of paradise, or monstera.
Use teak or acacia deck tiles for a spa-inspired floor.
Incorporate bamboo or reed fencing for added privacy.
Hang weatherproof hooks for towels and swimsuits.
Add waterproof baskets or tables for toiletries.
Include a small bench or stool.
Decorate with seashells or coastal accents. I added a fresh coconut from one of our coconut palms!
Use stainless steel fixtures if you live near the ocean.
Add a waterproof Bluetooth speaker for relaxing music while you shower.
Leveling out the ground
Step 1: Replace the Old Flooring
The first thing we tackled was removing the old pavers.
After pulling them out, we simply raked the shell base underneath until it was smooth and level.
My husband and I love to DIY together :)
Instead of replacing the pavers with more stone, we chose Acacia Wood Interlocking Deck Tiles (Amazon).
These snap together easily without special tools, instantly warm up the space, drain well, and give the shower a true spa-like feel.
Tip:
If you're installing deck tiles outdoors, always start with a level base so the tiles stay secure over time.
This flooring was so easy to install…it links together super easy and stays put!
Step 2: Add Privacy with Decorative Lattice
Next, we wanted to give the back of the shower a more finished appearance.
We purchased Severe Weather 2-ft x 8-ft Natural Pressure-Treated Spruce Wood Traditional Lattice from Lowe's.
My husband measured the opening and trimmed the lattice with a saw until it fit perfectly.
He then attached it to the existing wood framing using a drill and ½ inch stainless steel screws, which are a must in coastal environments where regular hardware rusts quickly.
My husband helped me staple the greenery and saw the lattice
Step 3: Create a Tropical GreenERY Wall
This might be my favorite part!
To give the shower a lush tropical feel, we attached artificial grass wall panels (Amazon) directly over the lattice.
The panels came with zip ties, making installation incredibly simple.
For extra durability, we also used stainless steel staples with a heavy-duty staple gun (Lowe’s).
Plastic flowers are a great addition
The greenery completely transformed the look of the shower, making it feel like a private resort tucked into our backyard. I added these plastic faux tropical flowers (Amazon) by bending the stems and inserting them into the greenery for a pop of color to coordinate with the orange Sproos!
Our Flood Zone Tip
Because we live in a flood-prone area on Sanibel Island, we intentionally stopped the grass panels several feet above the ground.
If floodwaters ever come through (again, as we did deal with it during the rare storm, Hurricane Ian in 2022, then again with Helene and Milton passages past Sanibel), we won’t have to replace much, if anything. Planning ahead like this can save both time and money after a storm.
My Vitamin C Sproos! Shower Head and Filter
Step 4: Install Our Favorite Sproos Shower Head
No tropical shower would be complete without an amazing shower head!
We installed the Sproos Vitamin C Shower Filter Head in Orange, which not only looks beautiful but also helps filter the water while adding a Vitamin C ORANGE POP OF COLOR. My hair and skin LOVES this thing!
It turned out so cute
If you're interested in installing one yourself, I've already shared my installation tips, review, Sproos discount code, and shopping link in another article here on my website. You can also see my Sproos! below and shop it using my discount in my shop my storefront:
It was the perfect finishing touch for our upgraded outdoor shower.
The wood needs little maintenance…just a bit of beeswax or wood oil occasionally
Step 5: Add Practical Storage
Every outdoor shower needs a place for soap, shampoo, sunscreen, and other essentials.
We added a plastic storage side table that blends perfectly with the tropical greenery.
Since it's made of plastic, it holds up much better than metal furniture in our salty coastal climate.
Final Thoughts
We couldn't be happier with this simple tropical outdoor shower makeover. It only took a couple of hours, stayed within our budget as we have our house for sale and don’t wish to add much more (but still wanted a cute makeover for the future sale of our home), and completely changed the look and feel of the space.
Tropical Outdoor Living Ideas for Beach House Backyards
Sometimes the smallest upgrades make the biggest impact. Whether you're rinsing off after a day at the beach, washing away pool chlorine, or simply enjoying an outdoor shower under the Florida sunshine, creating a backyard oasis doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.
If you're planning your own outdoor shower project, I hope our makeover inspires you to create a relaxing tropical retreat that's both beautiful and practical.
Happy decorating!
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If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💖 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How to Make Toilet Paper Bows and How to Add More Cute Bows To Your Home
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.