Imagine: a warm summer day, the sun gently warming your skin, and after working in the garden or active games with the children, you refresh yourself under streams of warm water in your own cozy corner at the dacha. Sounds like a dream? With a garden shower and changing room, this dream becomes a reality! It’s not just a place for hygiene, it’s your personal oasis, a place for relaxation and rejuvenation. Let’s create it together!
Choosing the Ideal Location and Design: From Simple to Complex 🏡
The first step to creating your summer spa is choosing a suitable location. Consider several important factors:
- Distance from the House: Ideally, the shower should be located at a sufficient distance from the house so as not to cause inconvenience to neighbors or yourself.
- Sun and Shade: It’s ideal if the location combines sun and shade. Morning sun will pleasantly warm you, and in the hot midday, you can take shelter in the shade.
- Water Supply: Having a water source nearby will significantly simplify the task. If this is not possible, you will need to consider a water supply system, for example, using a pump and a tank.
- Drainage: It is very important to ensure good drainage so that water does not stagnate and puddles do not form.
Now, about the design. The options can be very diverse:
- Simplest Shower: This can be a frame made of wood or metal, covered with film or fabric. Such a shower is easy to build and does not require large expenses.
- Polycarbonate Shower: A more durable and aesthetic option. Polycarbonate transmits light well, but at the same time protects from wind and rain.
- Enclosed Shower: This is a complete structure with a roof, walls, and a door. Such a shower provides maximum comfort and privacy.
- Shower with Changing Room: The ideal option for those who value comfort and convenience. The changing room allows you to change in privacy and store towels and other necessary items.
Materials and Tools: What We Need to Build Paradise 🛠️
The list of materials will depend on the chosen design, but here are the main items:
- For the frame: Wooden beams (pine, larch), metal pipes (profiled or round).
- For sheathing: Polycarbonate, wood (lining, planks), film, fabric.
- For the roof: Slate, corrugated sheeting, Onduline, polycarbonate.
- For the changing room: The same materials as for the shower.
- Plumbing pipes and fittings: For water supply.
- Water tank: Barrel, tank, plastic container.
- Pump (if necessary): To supply water from the tank.
- Shower head and hose.
- Fasteners: Screws, nails, bolts, nuts.
- Wood antiseptic: For protection against rot and mold.
Tools:
- Saw (hacksaw, jigsaw).
- Drill, screwdriver.
- Hammer.
- Level.
- Tape measure.
- Wrenches.
- Screwdrivers.
- Angle grinder (for working with metal).
Step-by-Step Instructions: Building a Garden Shower with a Changing Room Yourself 🪜
Let’s consider an example of building a simple but functional garden shower with a wooden changing room:
- Site Preparation: Clear the chosen area of debris, level the surface.
- Frame Installation: Assemble the frame from wooden beams. Install vertical posts, connect them with horizontal crossbars. Don’t forget to reinforce the structure for reliability.
- Frame Sheathing: Sheathe the frame with the chosen material (lining, planks, polycarbonate). Leave openings for the door and window (if planned).
- Roof Construction: Build a rafter system and sheathe it with roofing material. Ensure a slight slope for water drainage.
- Changing Room Construction: Build a small cabin next to the shower. The design can be the same as the shower or simpler.
- Door and Window Installation: Install the door in the shower and changing room, as well as a window (if provided).
- Water Supply: Lay plumbing pipes and install the shower head.
- Water Tank Installation: Install the water tank at a height to ensure pressure.
- Drainage System: Create a drainage system for water removal.
- Finishing and Decor: Paint the shower and changing room, decorate them with flowers, plants, and decorative elements.
Design Options: Inspiring Ideas for Your Summer Spa 🌸
There are countless options for decorating a garden shower with a changing room! Here are a few ideas that might inspire you:
- Rustic Style Shower: Use unfinished wood, stone, moss. Decorate the shower with old watering cans, buckets, wooden crates.
- Nautical Style Shower: Use blue, white, and sandy colors. Decorate the shower with shells, starfish, and ropes.
- Provence Style Shower: Use pastel colors and floral motifs. Decorate the shower with flower pots, wicker baskets, and lace curtains.
- Eco-Style Shower: Use natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and stone. Surround the shower with greenery, create a hedge.
- Shower with Lighting: Install LED lights to create a romantic atmosphere in the evening.
- Shower with Heated Water: Install a water heater to enjoy warm water even in cool weather.
DIY Ideas:
- Towel shelves from old planks: Simply sand and paint old planks and attach them to the changing room wall.
- Mirror from branches: Weave a frame for a mirror from branches.
- Fabric curtains: Sew curtains from bright fabric to give the shower individuality.
- Soap dish from stones: Glue several stones together to create an original soap dish.
Garden Shower Maintenance: Extending the Life of Your Relaxation Corner 💧
To ensure your garden shower with a changing room serves you for many years, it needs proper care:
- Regularly clean the shower of dirt and mold.
- Treat wooden elements with antiseptic.
- Drain the water from the tank for the winter to prevent it from freezing and damaging the tank.
- Check the condition of plumbing pipes and fittings.
- Cover the shower for the winter to protect it from the weather.
FAQ: Answering the Most Popular Questions About Garden Showers ❓
- Do I need a permit to build a garden shower? In most cases, no, but it’s best to check with your local administration.
- How to make the shower warm? Install a water heater or use a solar collector.
- How to avoid leaks? Thoroughly seal all connections and use quality materials.
- How to protect the shower from mosquitoes? Install mosquito nets on windows and doors.
- Can a septic tank be used for the shower? Yes, but it must be installed and maintained correctly.
Interesting Facts About Garden Showers: History and Traditions 🌿
Garden showers have existed for a very long time. Even in Ancient Rome, there were public baths that were accessible to everyone. In the Middle Ages, showers were common in monasteries, where they were used for cleansing the body and soul. In the 19th century, the shower became popular in Europe and America. In Russia, garden showers appeared relatively recently but quickly gained popularity among dacha owners and lovers of country recreation. In some cultures, showering is considered a ritual of purification and renewal. For example, in Japan, there is a tradition of performing ablutions before visiting a temple.