Simple Projects That Last: The Outdoor Shower Shelf
With four kids and living just a few miles from the ocean, one of the first things I added to our home was an outdoor shower. It made life easier, especially when the kids were little, getting all the sand off before they stepped foot inside.
As they got older, the outdoor shower became more than just a rinse-off spot. It turned into a hangout. The boys, now surfers, would gather there after a session, rinsing off, cleaning wetsuits, and swapping stories about the waves.Like most homeowners, I got around to the finishing touches later than I should have. Last year, I finally added a dry well and a proper platform. This year, I added two simple planters and, just this past weekend, a small upgrade: a shampoo shelf and hose holder.It’s a simple project, but one of those that just feels good. It’s already getting used, and I know it will continue to be for years to come.
The build itself is made from just five pieces of wood:
- A back panel
- A shelf
- Two side arms
- A front piece to hold the hose in place
It’s a great example of how you can dress up even the simplest woodworking project with just a few router bits:
- I used a flush trim bit to smooth the curve of the shelf
- A round-over bit softened all the edges
- A cove bit underneath the shelf gave it a lighter look
- And a chamfer bit on the back added a subtle, clean detail
These four bits are some of my go-to tools, and I use them on most projects.
Saturday morning builds like this are my favorite: quick, useful, and made to last. If you’re interested, I've included my simple hand-drawn plans below so you can build one yourself.