Outdoor showers are more popular in Oklahoma than many homeowners realize — and for good reason. If you have a pool, a garden, active kids, dogs, or simply enjoy the experience of showering outside in warm weather, a well-designed outdoor shower is a practical and enjoyable addition to your outdoor living space. At VistaScapes Design & Build, we integrate outdoor showers into complete outdoor living projects throughout Broken Arrow, Tulsa, and surrounding communities. Here’s everything you need to know to design one right.
Why Oklahoma Homeowners Add Outdoor Showers
Pool Rinse Station
The most common use case in Oklahoma: a rinse-off shower adjacent to the pool to remove chlorine before entering the pool (extending pool water quality) or after swimming to rinse chlorine before going back inside. A basic pool rinse station needs hot and cold water, a simple showerhead, and a drain — it can be as simple or as designed as you want.
Garden Shower
Oklahoma gardeners who spend hours in the heat and soil appreciate being able to rinse off before tracking dirt inside. A garden shower positioned near the back door — cold water supply only is often sufficient — with a flagstone or concrete pad base is a simple, practical addition.
Post-Sport Rinse
For families with kids who play sports, mountain bikers, motorcyclists, or anyone who comes home dirty regularly, an outdoor rinse station prevents the bathroom from becoming a mud room.
Dog Washing Station
One of the most consistently appreciated additions for dog owners: a dedicated outdoor washing station with a hand-held spray attachment and elevated platform. Much easier than bathing large dogs in a bathtub, and keeps mud and water outside.
Full Outdoor Shower Experience
For homeowners who want the full outdoor shower experience — showering outside in warm weather as a daily ritual — a properly enclosed, plumbed, and designed outdoor shower room is a luxury addition that gets surprisingly consistent use through Oklahoma’s long warm season.
Outdoor Shower Design Options
Simple Post-Mounted Rinse Station
The most basic outdoor shower: a pipe or cedar post with a showerhead, hot and cold supply lines, and a small concrete or paver pad with drainage. Cost-effective and functional. No privacy enclosure. Typically used as a pool rinse-off or garden station.
Masonry or Natural Stone Shower Wall
A masonry or natural stone wall provides a privacy backdrop and architectural focal point while housing the plumbing in the wall cavity. Oklahoma limestone, stacked flagstone, or brick are popular choices that age beautifully and integrate with outdoor kitchen and patio materials. This option elevates a simple rinse station to a designed landscape feature.
Privacy Enclosure Shower
For full outdoor showering, a three-sided privacy enclosure provides adequate privacy while maintaining the open-air feel. Enclosure options that work well in Oklahoma:
- Cedar board-on-board fencing with a natural finish
- Horizontal cedar or composite board slats for a contemporary look
- Natural stone or CMU masonry walls for maximum durability and design quality
- Steel cable or panel privacy screens for modern aesthetics
Practical Considerations for Oklahoma Outdoor Showers
Hot Water Supply
Oklahoma summers are warm enough that cold-water-only outdoor showers are comfortable from May through September. But for shoulder season use — April and October — hot water access makes the difference between a shower you use and one you don’t. Options for hot water supply:
- Extending a hot water line from the home (requires a plumber and is the most reliable option)
- A tankless point-of-use water heater mounted near the shower location
- A solar hot water collector for off-grid heating in full-sun locations
Winterization
Oklahoma winters require winterizing outdoor plumbing. Include a shutoff valve and drain valve inside the home (or in an accessible utility location) so you can drain the outdoor supply lines before freezing temperatures arrive. A properly winterized outdoor shower is a one-minute annual task; a frozen and burst pipe is an expensive repair.
Drainage
Outdoor shower drainage in Oklahoma is typically handled by grading the surrounding ground away from the shower pad and allowing water to percolate into the landscape. For heavier use or less permeable clay soils, a simple French drain or dry creek bed directing water away from structures works well. Check local codes — some municipalities require outdoor shower drainage to connect to the sanitary sewer system, not to drain into the yard.
Flooring
The shower floor needs to be slip-resistant when wet. Good options for Oklahoma outdoor showers:
- Flagstone with tight joints and a rough texture — natural slip resistance and beautiful appearance
- Concrete with a broom finish or exposed aggregate — functional and low-cost
- Teak or IPE hardwood slats — warm underfoot and attractive, but require annual sealing in Oklahoma’s UV environment
Add an Outdoor Shower to Your Oklahoma Outdoor Living Project
VistaScapes Design & Build incorporates outdoor showers into complete outdoor living projects across Broken Arrow, Tulsa, and the surrounding area. Whether you want a simple pool rinse station or a fully designed stone shower enclosure, we can design and build it as part of your broader outdoor living project. Call us at 918-779-1317 to discuss your project.
